Get to Know your Student Committee: Samantha Holdren

We asked the members of the 2020-2021 Student Committee to answer some questions about themselves to help you get to know who they are and what they do.

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Samantha Holdren

Clinical Liaison
2020-2021

Samantha is a fifth-year Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at Sam Houston State University

Why psychology and the law?
I watched Silence of the Lambs too many times as a child... But seriously, I originally wanted to be an attorney because I was interested in criminal law. After taking a required Psychology 101 course in my first year of undergrad, I realized I was more interested in the psychological aspects of criminal behavior than I was the legal elements. Though I knew I could make a difference in either capacity, I felt pursuing a career in forensic psychology would allow me to help marginalized populations in a unique, meaningful way. Working in an inpatient acute psychiatric medical center, volunteering as a sexual assault crisis counselor, and engaging in neuropsychologocal research studying impulsivity and criminal offending all solidified this interest.

If you could only watch 3 movies or tv shows over and over for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - because it is the best show, ever. Period. Fresh Prince of Bel Air - because it's a classic and Will Smith is a national treasure. The Simpsons - Because it is the longest running TV show with 690 episode to choose from.

Is a hotdog a sandwich?
Yes

Explain your hot take about hotdogs
A sandwich is some sort of filling in between two pieces of bread, so TECHNICALLY a hot dog is in fact a sandwich.

What is a quote you like and who said it?
“We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness. We need not wait to see what others do.” – Mahatma Gandhi

What is your favorite take-out/delivery spot near your school/campus?
In-N-Out. I'm from California so... This is basically mandatory.

What is your favorite city and why?
Venice, Italy. The city is just magical and unlike any other in the world. I love that it is on the water, the canals, the romance, and the people.

If you were not in graduate school what would you do?
Become a veterinarian and open an animal rescue.