Isai Garcia-Baza, a graduating senior, is the recipient of the third annual Susan M. McHale Award, a diversity research award.
The purpose of the Susan M. McHale Award for Outstanding Psychological Research by a Student Who Enhances Diversity is to encourage and honor students from under-represented groups who make a contribution to the advancement of knowledge of psychological science.
Isai received this award for his research, which is focused on the educational attainment expectations in Hispanic youth, parental influences on students’ motivation, and cultural values that foster and/or interfere with college matriculation. As a first-generation college student and the son of Mexican immigrants, Isai is personally familiar with the barriers to higher education faced by Hispanic youth, particularly those who are low-income and from immigrant backgrounds. Isai has conducted excellent research through the McNair Scholars Program, in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience for PSYC 395 and Senior Honors, and in the School of Public Health, where he serves as a Research Assistant on projects related to the nutrition of young children, including children of recent immigrants. Isai was honored with the Suan M. McHale Award at the Psychology and Neuroscience Commencement Ceremony on May 14, 2017.