Famaria Wiggins

Famaria Wiggins is a Psychology major in Russell Sage College’s Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program. 

CSTEP — sponsored by the New York State Department of Education — provides tutoring, assistance finding internships and more to underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students in science-related majors.

One of Famaria’s favorite things about CSTEP is how it has matched her with leadership roles that allow her to help others. 

For example, during her first year at Sage she participated in an event CSTEP hosted for high school students. 

“That really stuck with me,” said Famaria, who met with the visiting students and answered their questions about college. “I was like, oh, wow, I can have an impact on people, which is why I went into Psychology.”

CSTEP also connected her with the opportunity to work at a local community services center as an AmeriCorps VISTA summer associate. 

Famaria worked with the center’s youth camps, food pantries and other programs, where she used skills her Psychology classes have stressed, like active listening. 

Famaria hopes to eventually become a counseling psychologist who works with kids and teens. 

In the meantime, she appreciates all Sage has to offer.

She said CSTEP academic counselor Linda Scoville has been a valuable resource whether she needs help with a writing assignment or just someone to talk to. 

And the commuter lounge on Sage’s Troy campus is a convenient place to study or relax between classes. 

“It’s a great space,” said Famaria, who lives with her family in nearby Lansingburgh. “I had a Zoom call today so I could use the back room. I can put my lunch in the refrigerator, and they have computers that are accessible.” 

A nice surprise during her first year of college was the way that her classes enriched her relationships. 

She enjoys talking to her mom, who also majored in Psychology, about what she is learning. 

And studying the diverse ways that brains work has made Famaria feel closer to a loved one on the autism spectrum, a loved one with ADHD, and to her toddler niece and infant nephew. 

She’s excited about what her sophomore year will bring. 

“I am looking forward to how my classes are going to go,” she said at the start of the semester, “especially Social Psychology. We were having a nice discussion and everybody was engaged in the class. It was  a good atmosphere to be in.”