PSY Student Spotlight with Isabella Reda

March 19, 2025 - Shelly DeJong

Meet Isabella Reda, a 3rd year psychology student who plans on graduating this spring. From being involved in the Adolescent Diversion Program (ADP) to being on the e-board for the Psychology Club, Isabella has worked hard to get involved and figure out her path at MSU and beyond!  

 

How did you decide to major in psychology?   

I knew for the longest time that I wanted to major in psychology. I’ve always had this strong desire to help others, so psychology just felt like the right path for me to make that impact. After exploring different career options and gaining clarity on my goals, I decided that my next step after graduating this year will be to attend graduate school for social work. I’m ready to dive deeper in my social work journey and build on what I’ve learned in psychology. I definitely wouldn’t’ have gotten this far without the guidance from my peers and the support from my family and everyone around me. 

 

How did you hear about ADP? And how has your experience been? 

It's a funny story. One day, I was in the restroom in the Psychology building and saw a flyer right in front of me about the Adolescent Divergent Program. I read through the content of the program, and it seemed like a good fit, so I took a picture of it to look at later. Fast forward a few days, and my mom sent me a Facebook post about the same program, I said, ‘Oh my gosh, I just saw this the other day!’ I knew then that I had to learn more, so I set up a meeting with Emily, the assistant director of ADP, and soon after, I signed up. 

My experience with ADP has been incredibly impactful. It’s brought out a range of emotions, but in the most rewarding and meaningful way. Seeing firsthand the positive impact of supporting my kid has been nothing short of transformative, and I’m so glad to be part of a team that’s making a difference in the community. Sean Hankins, the director of ADP, has taught us so much through the curriculum and I feel like I've gained a lot of transferable skills as well. Even in my daily job as a family support worker at Community Mental Health, I’m able to apply a lot of what I’ve been learning in class. The tools I’ve gained through ADP have really helped me better understand the different perspectives and challenges the families I work with face. It’s given me a fresh way to approach situations with a deeper understanding. 

I’ve definitely felt supported throughout my time in ADP. Talking through challenges with my classmates, sharing strategies, and hearing their perspectives has been a game-changer. There’s never a time I feel alone in the process, and the support from my classmates and instructor has really boosted my confidence and motivation in my work. The sense of community and efforts in ADP has fueled me to push for change in society, knowing that every step I take contributes to bigger, meaningful change. 

  

Can you talk about your job at Community Mental Health in Lansing? 

My job at CMH in Lansing is actually pretty similar to ADP! I work with kids on goals set by their therapists, and a big part of my role is helping them become more involved in their communities. After setting up a meeting with Sean, my ADP instructor, to seek guidance on my career, he helped me find this role, which fits perfectly with my goals of working with children in underrepresented communities.  

Both ADP and my job at Community Mental Health have been hands-on experiences that taught me valuable skills, like de-escalation techniques and strategies to best support youth and families. I’ve been able to apply these skills in real situations, helping the kids I work with and supporting their overall well-being. I work closely with the therapists and get trained in their treatment plans to better understand how to best mentor each kid and provide the most effective support. CMH has an amazing team of therapists, mental health specialists, and more, and I’m really grateful to be part of another great organization in the community. 

 

What are you involved in at MSU?  

I’ve been involved with the Psychology Club right from the start at MSU. I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do with my career, so I really appreciated that the Psychology Club brought in guest speakers from different fields of psychology. I always made sure to go to the meetings to help guide me as I figured out what I wanted to do. This year, I’m now on their e-board serving as the treasurer. It's been really rewarding to now be able to help other psychology students learn about career options. 

As I figured out that social work was the path I wanted to take, I really wanted to ramp up my involvement with clubs, volunteering, and programs that aligned with my goals. In addition to the Psychology Club, I'm a team leader for Alternatives Spartan Breaks, which is an MSU club that organizes affordable weekends and spring break trips where students can volunteer in under-represented communities. In these communities, our team collaborates on projects focused on various social issues and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals. 

Last summer, I had the opportunity to study abroad in Dublin, Ireland where I learned about child psychology. I learned so much during my time there, and Ireland is such a vibrant place full of music, community, and amazing people. It was an unforgettable time, and I highly recommend students studying abroad/away. I’m also a sports referee for MSU which has been a fun and engaging way to connect with other students on campus! 

  

Would you like to give a shout out to anyone who's kind of helped you in your journey? 

I would love to give a shoutout to my instructor Sean Hankins. He has been incredibly supportive in my journey, and I’m really grateful for his expertise and guidance. I also want to thank my supervisor, Tracy Maddox, for being such a great mentor at CMH. She does a fantastic job in helping me navigate my role and provides guidance every step of the way.  

A big thanks to my advisor Andrew Murray, as well. He’s been the best, helping me pave my academic path and get involved in the study abroad program in Ireland. Lastly, I’d like to recognize Dr. Erica Tobe, the professor for my Applied Resource Management Practicum class. She had an engaging teaching style and brought in guest speakers to connect with us. We also did reflection projects on different career paths, which was pivotal in helping me discover my passion for social work.