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ROTC
Noah Rodriguez
365
Bold Points1x
Finalist![user profile avatar](https://static.bold.org/profilePictures/img2162da9b15a932314191b04680a689c3748a.webp)
Noah Rodriguez
365
Bold Points1x
FinalistBio
A enthusiastic and driven student studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science at UA. I value my intellectual activities, but they're only one part of my existence. I am a part of the University's Air Force ROTC program which helps develop leadership skills.
I want to tear down barriers and promote inclusion in the military and beyond as an LGBT student. My life experiences have helped me realize the need of variety and inclusiveness in all facets. I use this devotion to understanding and camaraderie across divides to my academic and ROTC work.
Academic curiosity, leadership growth, and a commitment to a more inclusive society are my passions, and I'm thrilled to see where they take me.
Education
University of Arizona
Bachelor's degree programMajors:
- Psychology, Other
Miscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
Graduate schools of interest:
Transfer schools of interest:
Majors of interest:
Career
Dream career field:
Military
Dream career goals:
Elijah's Helping Hand Scholarship Award
My personal journey has been deeply molded by the LGBTQIA+ experiences I've had, and these experiences have had a big effect on both my life and the field of study I've decided to pursue. My road toward self-acceptance and honesty has not been easy, especially considering the fact that I am a homosexual college student. Unfortuitously, my mother's inability to embrace my sexuality compelled me to make the challenging choice to move out at the beginning of this year. I was obliged to do so because of the difficulty of the situation. In spite of the fact that this was a difficult and emotionally draining experience for me, it has also served as a catalyst for my own development and a driving force in both my academic and personal endeavors.
My passion with psychology and my desire to understand the complexity of human behavior and relationships led me to decide to study for a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychological Science at the University of Arizona. My personal experiences, as well as the experiences of people around me, have been greatly aided by my study of psychology, which has been an invaluable resource. It's not just an academic interest; it's also a very personal one, seeing as how I've dealt with the emotional and psychological issues that may come with being a member of the LGBTQIA+ community. I've been through it all.
Because of my status as a friend and someone who can be confided in, I am often consulted for guidance on matters pertaining to emotions and relationships. People have said to me that I have a way of making people feel as if I am listening to them, and I take a lot of satisfaction in the fact that I am able to guide my peers through their own challenges. The time that I assisted a friend in escaping a toxic and controlling relationship, one in which she felt obligated to follow her partner's every instruction, is one case that illustrates this point in particular. My resolve to advocate within the LGBTQIA+ community for relationships that are healthy and helpful was strengthened when I saw her rebound from an unhealthy relationship and become a much happier person as a result of ending the relationship.
The influence of LGBTQIA+ experiences, whether via my own journey or in the process of helping friends and peers, has pushed me to study psychology and, in the future, contribute to the LGBTQIA+ community's mental health and relationship assistance. These experiences may be attributed to either my own journey or to the process of supporting friends and peers. My life experiences have provided me with a fresh viewpoint on the significance of maintaining positive mental health, being able to accept oneself, and surrounding oneself with supportive connections for LGBTQIA+ persons. My education and the struggles I've overcome in my own life have given me the tools I need to make a good contribution to this field, where I can advocate for the emotional health and contentment of individuals who have had experiences comparable to mine.
PRIDE in Education Award
I am an enthusiastic undergraduate student at the University of Arizona, where I am now working toward earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychological Science. My interest in psychology goes back a long time, and I've always been intrigued to the inner workings of the mind, behavior, and interactions between people. This is not merely a quest for academic reasons; rather, it stems from a real passion with figuring out what makes individuals tick.
My experiences in my own life have shown me that I have a natural talent for connecting with others, providing emotional support, and offering relationship counsel to others. Friends often come to me for guidance, and I get a great deal of personal fulfillment from making others feel heard and assisting my peers in navigating the difficulties of life.
My membership in the LGBTQ+ community is an essential component of who I am, and it has contributed significantly to the development of my current self-concept. Being an individual who identifies as homosexual has presented me with some of the distinct difficulties that may come with being a member of this group. These difficulties include the struggle to accept oneself, the process of coming out, and the process of navigating relationships. My comprehension of the significance of having empathy, being inclusive, and providing support for LGBTQ+ folks has been enhanced as a result of these experiences. In addition to this, I've been privy to the trials and tribulations that my friends and contemporaries within the community have had to through.
A turning point in my life was when I saw the destructive effects of my friend's toxic relationship with her ex-boyfriend, who was domineering and made her feel as if she needed to follow him. I was there for her when she needed support, advice, and someone to talk to, and it meant a lot to me to see how much happier she became after she severed ties with that abusive partner and took control of her life on her own terms. My faith in the ability of psychology and therapeutic assistance to create a meaningful improvement in people's lives was strengthened as a result of your research.
My interest in psychology, my position as a person who provides emotional and relationship support, and my connection to the LGBTQ+ community have all contributed to my choice to pursue a degree in Psychological Science. In conclusion, my passion for psychology, my role as a person who provides emotional and relationship support, and my connection to the LGBTQ+ community have all converged. I am compelled to utilize my knowledge and talents to advocate for the mental well-being of members of marginalized populations, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ+, and to make a positive contribution toward creating a society that is more accepting and compassionate.
VNutrition & Wellness’ Annual LGBTQ+ Vitality Scholarship
My education is a potent instrument, and I want to use it to make a positive contribution to society, especially in the field of mental and emotional well-being. In particular, I want to work with young people who are struggling to find balance in their lives. As a college student who identifies as homosexual and who has been sought out for counsel on emotions and interpersonal relationships, I have come to appreciate the significance of clear communication, attentive listening, and steering people toward lives that are healthier and happier. As a college student who identifies as gay and who has been sought out for help on feelings and interpersonal relationships, I have come to understand the requirement of plain communication.
My personal experiences, such as assisting a close friend in her flight from a destructive and authoritarian relationship, have motivated me to look for a career that would give me the chance to make a good difference in the lives of other people. I have great expectations that having a degree in psychology or in an area that is closely related to it would enable me to offer assistance to those who are in need that is more meaningful and built on facts.
My mission in life is to assist people in breaking free from unhealthy patterns of behavior and toxic relationships, especially within marginalized communities such as the LGBTQ+ community. Regarding this topic, I feel a deep and abiding commitment. I want to be an advocate for mental health, working to eliminate the stigma that is connected with mental health difficulties and campaigning for mental health services that are more accessible and inclusive to LGBTQ+ persons. In addition, I want to strive to minimize the stigma that is associated with sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.
I also want to provide individuals with the ability to take care of their own lives by educating them on the importance of healthy relationships, self-acceptance, and emotional well-being. This will enable them to make decisions based on true knowledge and take responsibility for their own lives. Another one of my goals is to empower people. In addition to this, one of my goals is to do research in areas connected to mental health, relationships, and the LGBTQ+ community with the intention of contributing to the formulation of evidence-based policies and solutions.
With the help of my studies, I want to make a positive impact by offering those who have struggled through emotionally taxing relationships and situations the opportunity to get guidance, advocacy, and support. I want to use my degree in this manner in order to have a good impact on the world. It is my hope that I will be able to make a constructive contribution to the growth of a society that is more compassionate and understanding if I am successful in disseminating knowledge, working to enhance awareness of problems related to mental health, and working to promote inclusivity.
community, with the goal of contributing to policies and solutions based on evidence.
I hope to make a beneficial impact by using my education to provide counsel, advocacy, and support to individuals who have endured toxic relationships and emotional challenges. This is how I plan to utilize my degree to make a positive influence. By spreading information, pushing for increased awareness of mental health issues, and working to increase inclusiveness, I wish to make a positive contribution to the development of a society that is more compassionate and understanding.
Arnetha V. Bishop Memorial Scholarship
As an individual who identifies as a homosexual college student, my personal trajectory and encounters have significantly influenced my fervor for promoting mental well-being and my aspiration to effect constructive change among underrepresented populations. Frequently, individuals within my social circle seek my counsel about matters of emotional well-being and interpersonal relationships. This recurring experience has facilitated my comprehension of the significance associated with establishing an atmosphere that is both secure and nurturing, whereby individuals feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and emotions.
Based on my own experience as an individual belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, it has become evident to me that there are distinct problems and mental health concerns frequently encountered by persons within this group. The process of self-acceptance, disclosing one's sexual orientation, and managing interpersonal connections within a potentially non-accepting social context can impose significant emotional strain. I have personally witnessed the detrimental effects of prejudice, homophobia, and internalized stigma on the mental well-being of persons within the LGBTQ+ community.
One specific experience that has greatly influenced my beliefs and activism is helping a friend escape a toxic and controlling relationship. The former partner exerted a significant influence over her, compelling her to comply with his directives, resulting in a detrimental impact on her psychological state. By providing emotional support and direction, I facilitated the process of helping her restore her self-esteem, discover her own agency, and finally extricate herself from the detrimental relationship. Observing the individual's metamorphosis into a state of increased contentment and self-empowerment served to strengthen my dedication to the field of mental health and underscore the influential role that emotional support plays in the process of recovery.
Regarding my professional goals, I aspire to pursue a vocation as a mental health counselor or therapist, with a specific focus on providing support to underrepresented populations, namely the LGBTQ+ community. Through my personal journey and lived experiences, I have come to see the significance of offering mental health treatments that are culturally sensitive and empathic to persons who have encountered prejudice, isolation, or rejection due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
The focus of my advocacy efforts include the elevation of consciousness about mental health concerns within underrepresented populations, the active resistance against discriminatory practices and stigmatization, and the advancement of inclusion within mental health service provisions. I hold the belief that it is imperative for individuals from all walks of life to have equitable access to mental health services of exceptional quality. Consequently, I am committed to actively participating in efforts aimed at transforming this vision into a tangible actuality.
In short, the amalgamation of my individual encounters and my aptitude for establishing emotional connections with individuals has served as a catalyst for my aspiration to embark upon a vocation in mental health services that specifically addresses the distinctive requirements of disadvantaged populations. The objective is to effectuate a constructive influence by offering assistance and direction to those who may be encountering challenges with their mental well-being, as well as by campaigning for a society that is more inclusive and tolerant, whereby mental health services are readily available to all individuals.