2018 Award: Excellence in Research Award
Major: Psychology (research concentration), Political Science
Minor: Philosophy
Hometown: University Place, WA
Extracurricular activities: GUTS (Gonzaga University Theatre Sports) comedy improv, rock climbing
About the award
The faculty of the psychology department is honored to present an award for research to Nathan Huff. Nathan’s research project, “Cue Validity in Complex Letter Matrices,” is an outstanding example of student research, comparable to what would be expected for a master’s thesis. What is distinctive is that he did this research almost without assistance. He planned the experiment, prepared the materials (including specially–written computer software), collected the data, and analyzed and interpreted the results. His research has been accepted for presentation at the Association for Psychological Science annual convention in May 2018.
More about Nathan
Future Plans:
I will spend a gap year ideally working in Western State Hospital’s Child Study and Treatment Center in Lakewood, Washington. After spending time working directly with populations in need, I’ll attend a doctoral program in social psychology or another related field.
How has your major contributed to your professional or personal development?
My psychology major has given me concrete opportunities to exhibit and practice data collection skills applied to a field in which I have a particular interest. Both my political science major and my psychology course work have made me a much more confident and accomplished writer in ways that have prepared me for post graduate work. Additionally, Gonzaga afforded me the opportunity to spend two semesters abroad studying subjects I care deeply about, and for that I am very grateful.
What has been your proudest or most significant accomplishment during your Gonzaga career?
Completing my senior thesis for the Honors Program at Gonzaga has convinced me I am capable, as well as willing to conceptualize and follow through on a large, independent study project.