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Michelle Rivers, a doctoral student in psychology, was one of two advanced doctoral students awarded the David B. Smith Scholarship for the 2020-2021 academic year. Read further to learn more about her research, future goals and Kent State experience.

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1. Please give a short overview of your research.
   
   My research applies theories of learning and memory to enhance educational practice. I investigate how learners understand and manage their own learning.
    
2. What made you choose to pursue your graduate degree here at Kent State?
   
   I decided to pursue graduate studies at Kent State primarily because my advisor, Dr. John Dunlosky, is an expert in my area of interest (metacognition) and a wonderful mentor!
    
3. What do you enjoy most about attending Kent State for graduate school?
   
   I really enjoy interacting with the faculty in the Psychology Department at Kent State who challenge me to think more deeply about my research. I also appreciate the amount of support there is for graduate students, such as events for graduate students to share their research and socialize.
    
4. What are your future goals?
   
   Given my passion for research, learning and teaching, I plan to complete my Ph.D. and continue building a program of research that informs theories of cognition. Long term, I would like to work as a professor of psychology and manage my own laboratory investigating student learning and metacognition.
    
5. What does this award mean to you and how will it aid you?
   
   I am extremely grateful to receive this scholarship, which will support me in achieving my goals and provide additional opportunities for professional development (e.g., by helping to fund conference registration and attendance).