Featured Graduate Student, June 2008
Elise Drake

Interview:

What is your primary motivation for persevering through graduate school?
Knowing that my family and friends are supporting me through each step of the process.

Do you think there is any value in social networking with other graduate students in non-related fields?
I believe social networking with graduate students from departments other than my own has been very valuable. I have taken several courses as part of the Graduate Education Development Institute and have been fortunate to interact with graduate students from a very wide variety of fields. This has helped me look at the graduate experience from other perspectives, and has also pushed me to explain my field in different ways. Through conversations with other graduate students from several departments, I have also learned a great deal about other programs at Virginia Tech, as well as viewing my area of study in a more critical way.

Did your past experiences in life or education help prepare you for graduate school or did you have to develop different strategies to succeed?
I have always juggled many things at once, and my experiences working full-time while in college as an undergraduate student provided me with invaluable time management skills.

What is your favorite stress-reduction technique?
Going hiking with my dog and my husband, and watching movies with friends.

What is the last book you read strictly for pleasure and how long ago was it?
Upon learning it was being adapted to the big screen, I re-read ’The Diving Bell and the Butterfly’ by Jean-Dominique Bauby two months ago. I believe this memoir is a true testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Please describe your most meaningful academic relationship.
It would be impossible to pick just one! I have had an extensive number of meaningful academic relationships in my graduate career, including but not limited to: my advisor in my Masters program, Dr. Starratt who helped shape my future goals and plans, the influential leadership, support and supervision of my clinical supervisors Dr. Jones and Dr. Clum, the invaluable feedback and support of Dr. Cooper, individuals I consider excellent role models in terms of my teaching career, Dr. Panneton, Dr. Lehman, and Dean DePauw in addition to countless graduate students and faculty members in the Psychology Department who have greatly fostered my intellectually curiosity and inspired me in meaningful ways. If forced to choose one academic relationship as my most meaningful, I would say that it is with my advisor and mentor, Dr. Scott Geller. Since my very first meeting with him, he has inspired me to be my best and is always very proud of my accomplishments, which he has played a major part in. His guidance and encouragement have provided an excellent foundation for my success in my doctoral program.

What are your aspirations upon graduation?
Upon graduation I hope to obtain a tenure-track faculty position.

What surprised you the most about graduate school?
I did not initially expect to get so much satisfaction and joy out of teaching. Although this was a bit surprising, my teaching experiences in graduate school have now shaped my career goals.

What is your favorite comfort food and why? How often do you consume it?
Wendy’s 2 Combo with a Dr. Pepper, because it feels good to indulge. I have this meal about twice a month.

If you hadn't been admitted to graduate school, what do you think you would be doing right now?
I would still be making an effort to be admitted to graduate school, because I felt that passionate about it.

View previous Featured Graduate Student interviews >>

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Currently enrolled VT graduate students can be nominated for a variety of reasons -- academic or personal accomplishments, service to the department or the university community, or any other reason that makes them a unique and valuable member of academe. Students, faculty, or staff can submit nominations by completing a short nomination form.