Senior Spotlight: Angelina Thalheimer (’25 Psychology) – From Classroom to Conference Stage: A Chapman Journey Fueled by Mentorship, Research, and Purpose

What’s one unexpected opportunity or experience you’ve had at Chapman that you never imagined before enrolling?

I’m an undergraduate instructional assistant (UGIA) under Dr. David Frederick in the Psychology department for his class on Human Sexuality. The class itself was amazing, but being a UGIA and undergraduate researcher for him has been so rewarding and an experience I never thought was available in a university. Whether through guest speakers in class or meeting some of his colleagues at a conference in Denver, CO, I was able to have dinner and joke around with some very well-known individuals in the world of human sexuality. They are the coolest, funniest, most brilliant people you’ll ever meet, and it allowed me to geek out over research with individuals who have been so successful in their careers.

Can you share a moment when a professor, advisor, or classmate made a big difference in your college journey?

Dr. Frederick has been one of the most amazing mentors and he has genuinely changed the course of my career. I became a UGIA and undergraduate researcher under Dr. Frederick over the summer after my junior year. From there, he challenged and guided me into conducting my own survey through funding awarded by CUE and the Psych department; attending national conferences where I could present these findings on disordered eating in minority groups; and currently we’re in the works of publishing an encyclopedia on body image and colorism and a future manuscript on my dataset. The opportunities that he has presented me has both enhanced my competitiveness as I begin to apply to graduate programs in clinical psychology as well as fostered a passion for research specifically in disordered eating. Most notably though, Dr. Frederick connected me to the opportunity to work as a Behavioral Research Coordinator for the Uniformed Services University where I will continue my research looking at disordered eating and cardiovascular health in military families starting a couple weeks after graduation.

What’s your favorite hidden gem on campus or around town that new students have to check out?

I have to admit, I am obsessed with Taco Stand in the circle. I’m an absolute burrito connoisseur so I’m there at least once a week, if not more. It’s my go to spot whenever I want to get dinner with someone, and I go with one of the girls in my sorority every Thursday night. It’s our ritual, and I’m so sad I can’t bring it with me.

If you could describe your experience at Chapman in one word, what would it be—and why? 

I would describe my experience at Chapman as “home.” I think this word fits best because during my last few weeks before I graduate, I realize that the professors and peers that I have gotten close to over the past few years have become my home. Sharing our last few laughs together has made this ending bittersweet because they have allowed me to fully enjoy my last days as an undergraduate instead of feeling weighed down by the stress of graduation. It’s really nice knowing I have such a great group of people to miss and that they will miss me just as much.

What are your future plans?   

I kind of touched on this earlier, but literally the day after graduation, I am heading out to move to Maryland to begin my position as a Behavioral Research Coordinator for the Military Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (MiCOR) Program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU). Through this position, I will be continuing research on the behavioral, psychological, and socioemotional factors that contribute to disordered eating and associated cardiovascular health risks among military personnel. This position will allow me further my competitiveness as I plan to apply to a PhD in Clinical Health Psychology within the next couple of years. I am excited to see where it takes me and I look forward to continuing my contribution in this line of research!