Sydney Maurer is a first-year master’s student in the Social Psychology program.

1. Where is your hometown? South Bend, IN

2. Where did you obtain your bachelor’s, and what were your major(s)?
   I got my bachelor’s here at Ball State. My major was criminology and criminal justice, and my minor was law enforcement scuba diving.

3. What first interested you in psychology?
   I have always been interested in criminal justice, first and foremost, but psychology has multiple ties into that realm. As I went through my undergrad, I realized that I am very interested in the “why” behind people’s actions, especially in terms of deviant, anti-social, and violent behavior.

4. Why did you choose Ball State?
   Ball State is my alma mater, so it just felt right to continue my education here. I really love the campus and the faculty.

5. What’s the best part of being a student at Ball State?
   Honestly, the school colors are perfect. I love red and white, so my closet is full of Ball State merchandise! On a more serious note, I do really feel like the faculty here focuses on bettering their students and helping them move forward with their goals.

6. What are your future and career goals?
   In the near future, I see myself working with homeless individuals dealing with addiction. As I continue my career, I hope to be able to work in our prison system, specifically focusing on rehabilitation efforts.

7. What is your favorite campus tradition or event?
   I love parents weekend. Of course, for those new to the school, it serves as an opportunity for students and their families to explore Ball State and Muncie, but since I’ve been here for four years now, I use it as a time to hang out with my parents. Some of my favorite memories are tailgating with them and then going out for tacos afterwards (if you need a Mexican food suggestion, Puertas is the place to go).

8. If you could have any superpower for one day, what would it be and how would you use it?
   I think I would want to be able to breathe underwater. I am happiest when I’m out on the water, whether it’s a river, lake, or ocean, and as my undergraduate minor suggests, scuba diving is a big hobby of mine. So, in a way I already do breathe underwater, but it would be wonderful to be able to do it without all the heavy equipment and safety precautions. I would use it to immerse myself in marine life, and potentially use it for more serious scenarios, such as search and rescue missions.

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
   I really want to visit Ireland. I have family friends who have a house out there and my boyfriend is Irish. Aside from the personal connections, I think I would really enjoy the atmosphere. Also, I adore the Irish accent.

10. What is something about you that people would be surprised to know? (just as a reminder, this will be shared with faculty and staff, students, and alumni)
    I think most people would be surprised to learn that I am heavily involved in musical theater. I mainly dance, but I also act and sing. For some reason I just don’t seem like the theater type to most people.

11. If you could switch lives with any historic figure for a day, who would it be and why?
    I would want to switch lives with Meriwether Lewis for a day. He was part of the duo who led the expedition through what would become the Louisiana Purchase. I would more so want to switch places with him to be able to see what America looked like before it was colonized and the landscape was changed (or ruined, in my opinion)