The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Corps are chosen to serve as representatives to all constituents of CAS and to create, promote and execute opportunities for academic and professional growth. These students represent a variety of departments from across CAS and will represent the College at events through interaction among current students, future students, parents, donors and alumni.
Throughout the year, we will be introducing new students representing the College in the 2023-24 academic year through a question and answer format. For more about the CAS Corps, visit: cas.appstate.edu/students/cas-corps.
Jana McManus
Year: Junior
Major: Psychology (Business)
Hometown: Monroe, N.C.
Which clubs or organizations are you a member of?
Impulse: The Premier Undergraduate Neuroscience Journal
Kpop Association
Psi Chi
Women in Stem Club
What scholarship(s) have you received from Appalachian or while studying at Appalachian?
North Carolina Scholarship
What research or coursework have you been most passionate about?
"I have been the most passionate about the research I am doing on physical activity and mental health in college students. I am currently working with a research team that is having participants wear activity watches and we track their activity for 5 days and then have them answer questionnaires on anxiety and depression and we will synthesize the results when we get enough participants."
Which location(s) do you hope to visit for an internship, a study abroad trip, a research experience, or just for fun?
"I hope to study abroad in Italy next summer. I would also really like to visit several places in Asia such as Japan, Singapore and South Korea!"
Where is your favorite place on campus and why?
"My favorite place on campus is the library because I like to go there and get my work done but I also have a lot of good memories of going there with my friends to study."
What is one of your favorite memories at Appalachian thus far?
"One of my favorite memories at App is from freshman year when we had the really big snow storm and class was cancelled so all my friends and I got ready and went out and played in the snow and we tried our best to sled down the hills and then we all went back inside and had a movie day and drank hot chocolate."
What do you like about Boone and the surrounding community?
"One thing I like about Boone is how nice everyone is here. I always feel like it's easy to talk to the people that live in Boone and I feel very accepted by the community here."
What are your hobbies?
"My hobbies are working out, reading, hanging out with my friends, cooking, and watching kpop videos."
What is your favorite book, podcast, artist, and/or television show?
"My favorite TV show is 'Breaking Bad.'"
Tell us about one faculty or staff member that has made an impact on your life and how.
"One faculty member that has made an impact on my life is Dr. Zrull. He really has broken down what it is like to be a psychologist, and he has given me detailed advice on what I should do to get to where I want to be in my career. Dr. Zrull is always willing to share his in-depth knowledge of any topic with me and help me get to where I want to be."
What do you feel has been valuable in your education at Appalachian versus another institution?
"I feel that teachers at App really take the time to help their students individually and this really helps with students understanding and depth of knowledge. Teachers are always making themselves available for students and always provide great resources to help students. I don't think teachers at other institutions make their students as much of a priority as App teachers do and this has greatly valued my education."
What do you hope to do after graduation?
"I hope to become a child psychologist, and I also want to work in real estate and have a side hustle or two."
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About the Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology
Appalachian State University’s Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology serves more than 1,400 undergraduate majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, as well as 90 graduate students across four graduate programs: experimental psychology (MA), industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management (MA), school psychology (MA/SSP) and clinical psychology (PsyD). Learn more at https://psych.appstate.edu.
Compiled by Lauren Andersen
October 27, 2023
BOONE, N.C.
CAS Corps member Jana McManus is a junior psychology major from Monroe. Photo by Lauren Andersen.
CAS Corps member Jana McManus is a junior psychology major from Monroe. Photo by Lauren Andersen.