Sunday, May 19, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
January 7, 2009
In the fall of 2005, Andrew Stewart came to Colorado State University. All he knew was that he wanted to be integrated in the psychology community from the start and that is what he has been doing for the last four years.
Stewart did not grow up anywhere, he grew up everywhere. His father was an army soldier and his family had the military lifestyle for the first 15 years of his life, until his father retired in 2003. He relocated every three to five years and was constantly exposed to many people.
“It was difficult, but I managed well,” said Stewart.
His interest in psychology came from his personal experiences with prejudices and diversity. Growing up, Stewart became more exposed to social relationships and he concentrated on why prejudices and antisocial relationships exist and how to mitigate the effects.
From 2005 to 2007, Stewart has worked with a number of researchers. His research ranges from violations of expectations and aggressive consequences, organizational justice, social/relationship labs and an independent study on the effects of diversity in ethnic minority students’ majors and their intention to leave school.
Stewart has taught for the last three years in the Department of Psychology, which includes five undergraduate general psychology courses, a lecture for a smaller course and a social psychology course.
“I believe that teaching is one of the many ways to express your passion about a certain subject,” says Stewart, “You are able to share your knowledge and love for a subject through teaching.”
His biggest commitment is being the president of Psi Chi, National Honor Society in Psychology, a program that provides undergraduate students with resources from the psychology department and training on handling issues that will arise when applying to graduate school.
“Andrew is the epitome of the student scholar,” says Ernest Chavez, a professor and chair for the Department of Psychology, “He works hard, accomplishes what he sets out to do and does it all with a smile on his face.”
Stewart involves himself in other projects on campus. He mentions being a co-leader for an Alternative Spring Break trip to Independence, Calif., to help in the preservation of a former Japanese internment camp.
“I wanted to learn more about and help others learn about what the American Psychological Association community face and have faced,” Stewart says.
In March of 2008, Stewart and three other CSU students established Beta Kappa Gamma, a multicultural fraternity. The organization’s pride lies in their commitment to community service, brotherhood, social integration and academics.
Stewart has won numerous awards in his few years at CSU. His accomplishments have been recognized by many organizations and individuals. Some of the awards and recognitions Stewart is most proud of include:
“I don't really have much time outside of psychology. But when I do I like to read, watch the news, watch football, play disc golf, or play real golf. I also enjoy playing Guitar Hero,” say Stewart, “I get about eight hours of sleep a night and I do have time for a girlfriend.”
Karla Gingerich, an assistant professor who works closely with Stewart in the Department of Psychology, says that Stewart is interesting and has important things to say. She predicts he’ll probably become “an internationally-known social psychologist and write textbooks and change the world for the better.”
Contact: Anh Ha
E-mail: Anh.Ha@ColoState.edu
Phone: (970) 491-4161
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