Formal Education

My academic journey at Saint Mary’s College of California began with a B.S. in Psychology (2023), grounding me in the study of human behavior and expanding my interest in mental health. Continuing at Saint Mary’s (SMC) for my Master’s in Communication (2026), I have expanded that foundation to focus on how we share ideas, build trust, and create a lasting impact on those around us.

Saint Mary's College
Saint Mary's College

B.S. Psychology

My college journey began in 2019, where I started as a freshman at Saint Mary’s College of California. Throughout my undergraduate experience, I had the opportunity to take a variety of Psychology courses, gaining insight into new fields and doing hands on work in Psychobiology, Criminal Psychology, Psychology of Family, Personality Psychology, and more. Attached is a collaborative research study and final paper on the effects of music on concentration, done during my third year Psychology 103: Methods and Analysis course.

M.A. Communication

As part of my COMM 602: Strategic Communication coursework, I conducted a comprehensive SWOT analysis for Ariat International. This project involved evaluating the company’s internal strengths and weaknesses alongside external opportunities and threats within a competitive retail landscape. Through this analysis, I developed strategic insights to inform the brand’s advertising and future communication efforts. The experience strengthened my ability to think critically and apply research-driven strategy to real world organizations.

As part of my COMM 600: Theories of Communication coursework, I wrote a comprehensive literature review on Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) theory. This research deepened my understanding of relational dynamics in communication, especially within the workplace, and laid a strong theoretical foundation for my master’s thesis. The project reflects my ability to synthesize scholarly research and apply theory to real-world communication contexts. Read more about my Master’s thesis in the below section.

Master’s Thesis

My master’s thesis research explores communication within the food and beverage service industry, with a particular focus on how management communication shapes employee experiences. Specifically, the study examines the relationship between leadership communication and employees’ sense of psychological safety in the workplace, which determines how comfortable employees are with speaking up and admitting mistakes at work.

  • Leader Member Exchange Theory (LMX) is a theory that focuses on the quality of relationships between leaders and individuals, suggesting that stronger relationships where there is more trust will lead to better communication and satisfaction.

  • Psychological safety is the belief that individuals are able to speak up, ask questions, or admit mistakes without fear of punishment or reprimand. My research examines how leadership communication styles can affect employee psychological safety levels.

  • The quantitative portion of my mixed-methods research included a survey for current food and beverage service industry employees over the age of 18. Managers were excluded from the survey, as the questions focused on employee’s feelings of psychological safety and asked demographic questions such as their perceived workload and how many months they have worked for their current establishment.

  • The qualitative portion of my study consisted of 6 interviews, 2 with restaurant managers and 4 with current restaurant employees. The discussions were facilitated by me and asked questions regarding safety and comfortability in the workplace and with their management or staff members.

  • TBD - will enter once I complete my research

My Master’s Program Experience

The following videos provide an overview of my Master’s thesis, which explores communication within the food and beverage industry and its impact on employee psychological safety, as well as my experience as a part time student at SMC for my Graduate program.

My Master’s Thesis

Day In My Life As A Master’s Student

Relevant Coursework

  • Comm 523 allowed me to develop hands on experience creating video content, while critically analyzing how sports are represented across various media platforms. The course strengthened my ability to evaluate media narratives, audience engagement strategies, and the broader impact of sports communication.

  • In Comm 563, I engaged in critical analysis and discussion of texts exploring race and representation across various contexts. The course strengthened my ability to examine power, identity, and media narratives through a thoughtful and analytical lens.

  • This course examined social justice issues within the LGBTQ+ community through academic analysis and creative expression during class projects. Through meaningful discussions and participation with a campus drag show, I developed a deeper understanding of identity, performance, and activism as forms of communication.

  • In Topics in Film, I analyzed Brazilian cinema through both technical and critical lenses, examining filmmaking techniques alongside themes of race, power, and sexuality. The course strengthened my ability to interpret visual storytelling while considering broader cultural and social contexts.

  • This course provided an in-depth understanding of key communication and psychological theories, emphasizing their application across various contexts. Through active participation in presentations and writing, I developed strong analytical and public speaking skills.

  • In Applied Research Design, I developed a strong foundation in designing and conducting effective research studies. The course guided me in creating an in depth research plan, preparing me for the execution of my own year long research project.

  • This intensive Jan term course focused on the practical application of research methods, including survey development and qualitative question design. With faculty supervision, I began collecting data, strengthening my skills in conducting research in real world settings.

  • In Applied Research Analysis, I analyzed collected data using SPSS and conducted manual coding of qualitative interviews. The course emphasized interpreting findings and translating data into meaningful insights while contributing to the development of my thesis.

  • In Strategic Communication, I examined how to identify and address societal issues through effective messaging and social media management. The course emphasized the use of social media and strategic frameworks to engage audiences and drive meaningful change.