Rachel Jocson

High school: Rockford Christian

Hometown: Rockford, Ill.

Majors: Psychology, Spanish

Activities: Asian Student Organization, Reading/Writing Center (RWC) tutor, ABCD lab student research assistant, Psi Chi honor society, Jenny Lind Vocal Ensemble, first-year peer mentor

Internships: Storch Lab research assistant at Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Medical Center; Esperanza Center; and Dady Law Group

Post-grad plans: I hope to teach English abroad or work as a psychology research coordinator before applying to doctoral programs in clinical psychology.

Why Augustana?

I knew I wanted a liberal arts education, and I felt welcomed right as I stepped foot on campus. My admissions counselor, Wendy Kelley, was also instrumental in answering my questions and helping me learn about Augustana. 

Even before setting foot on campus, I saw how Augustana values social justice and making students feel included. Seeing resources like OSID, the PACE program and cultural organizations showed me that Augustana values students holistically and that I could be my whole self here.

Are you where you thought you'd be when you first came to campus?

My life is going in a significantly different direction! I initially wanted to be an occupational therapist or lawyer. I did not see myself pursuing a doctorate or research as a career before undergraduate. Completing supervised research with Dr. Lorenz and working in the Reading/Writing Center led me to imagine new possibilities for myself.

Who helped you get to where you are now?

It takes a village! I am who I am today in every sense because of the people who have provided me with community — my family, friends and connections at Augustana. My roommates India, Monique and Isabelle have also been the greatest friends I could ever ask for.

I also have Asian Student Organization, the Reading/Writing Center community, as well as the psychology and Spanish departments to thank. Asian Student Organization provided me with a sense of home and my first friendships at Augustana. 

I will always be grateful for the mentorship and advocacy provided by the RWC faculty. They not only helped me find my voice, but also showed me how to use it in service of others. 

To Dr. Lorenz and Dr. Barringer, thank you for opening your doors every single time that I came knocking. Your mentorship has solidified my passion for psychology. To Dr. Havard-Rockwell, thank you for encouraging me to see more for myself and to pursue teaching abroad.

Peak experience?

Completing a summer internship at the Texas Medical Center. Bonding with our internship cohort and exploring a new city together was so much fun (even though we all worked very hard).

This internship built my confidence in my ability to apply my knowledge and adapt to professional environments. I am super grateful to Dr. Storl for all the effort and time she put into organizing such a high-quality program.

What surprised you?

I was surprised by how much Augustana has to offer regarding experiential learning and extracurricular activities. Pretty much everyone you meet here has something they are passionate about and heavily involved in. There is so much to learn not only from faculty and in-class settings, but also from your peers.

How did you use your Augie Choice?

I used my Augie Choice to help fund my internship at the Texas Medical Center.

What will you miss the most?

I will miss being a part of Asian Student Organization immensely. Helping run events like Asian Night and Moon Festival are core memories I will never forget. I am proud of being a first-generation Filipino American, and sharing that with our campus was a great honor. 

It felt so impactful to be a part of making sure students at Augustana have access to events that celebrate their culture and give them a sense of home. The group is in great hands, and I am excited to see all they will achieve.

Advice for the Class of 2029?

Make connections and ask for help. Also, you are not alone! Your professors truly want the best for you and having a support system gets you through when times are hard. There is zero shame in utilizing the resources available to you here.