Student - Faculty research opportunities abound in the Gettysburg College Psychology Department even during the summer months. Thanks to a generous grant, through the J. Douglas Shand Fund, Valerie Martin is taking advantage of one of these opportunities. Valerie, a rising senior from Churchtown, Pennsylvania, is a psychology major and philosophy minor. She hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical or counseling psychology after graduation. 

This summer, Valerie is conducting research with Psychology Professors Abigail Scholer and Brian Meier.  Valerie's research focuses on motivation/self regulation and perception of God.  She is trying to determine if an individual's motivation style has an effect on his/her perception of God.  Valerie is very excited to be spending her summer in the department and hopes to continue this line of research during her senior year.