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SUNY Potsdam Student Maritza Angeles-Gonzalez '19 Awarded ACT Scholarship

SUNY Potsdam Student Maritza Angeles-Gonzalez '19 of Mamaroneck, N.Y., Earns Competitive ACT Scholarship

Potsdam, NY (11/01/2018) — SUNY Potsdam senior Maritza Angeles-Gonzalez '19 of Mamaroneck, N.Y., was recently awarded the 2018 ACT Scholarship from the SUNY Association of Council Members and College Trustees.

She was one of six students from across the SUNY system who were chosen to receive the award this year, in honor of their focus on academic achievements and their active participation in community service.

Angeles-Gonzalez was presented the award during a ceremony at the annual ACT Conference, which she attended along with her family, boyfriend and her faculty mentor. She will receive a $1,000 scholarship, as well as a $250 award to donate to the organization of her choice. Angeles-Gonzalez chose to donate her funds to the Trevor Project, which focuses on suicide prevention for the LGBTQ+ population.

"This was very special because I came to find out through the chair of our campus's College Council, June O'Neill, that I am the second recipient in SUNY Potsdam's history to receive this award. That really put into perspective what it meant for me to be recognized. I really have to thank all the individuals on campus, my family and friends, who have helped get me to where I am today! So here's to many more accomplishments as I finish my last year in Potsdam and as I continue my journey," Angeles-Gonzalez said.

Angeles-Gonzalez is double-majoring in psychology and Spanish at SUNY Potsdam. She is active in campus life, serving as a group tutor, orientation leader and peer mentor for the Bridges Program. She is a peer counselor and serves as the assistant office manager for the College Counseling Center.

Angeles-Gonzalez is also a member of the Emerging Leaders and Potsdam Diversity Ambassador and Mentor programs. In addition, Angeles-Gonzalez has served on the Diversity and Inclusion in Action Coalition campus climate and outreach subcommittee, and is a member of the Spanish Club.

As part of her coursework in psychology, she has been working with Dr. Claire Starrs in the SUNY Stress & Coping Lab, where she examined coping strategies and depression in a sample of women diagnosed with breast cancer.

"The combination of internships and classwork within the field of psychology has really created a solid foundation for my education, and I look forward to seeing where my work leads to in the future. I'll never forget the support from the faculty in the psychology department," she said.

She has started to look at graduate schools, and plans to pursue a master's degree in mental health counseling.

With one of the largest departments on campus, faculty in the SUNY Potsdam Department of Psychology are dedicated to research, as well as teaching. Internship opportunities are available in a variety of areas for students. Knowledge in psychology can be used in almost any career -- counseling, research, therapy, medicine, education, social work or human services. To find out more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu/academics/AAS/Psych.

About SUNY Potsdam:

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. Now in its third century, SUNY Potsdam is distinguished by a legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 3,600 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and culture of creativity. To learn more, visit http://www.potsdam.edu.

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Media Attachments

ACT Scholarship recipient Maritza Angeles-Gonzalez ’19 (third from right), poses with her mentor, Counseling Center Director Gena Nelson, boyfriend Roger Reed ’19, mother Lucero Gonzalez, sister Alexa Angeles, father Benjamin Angeles and brother Christian Angeles.

From left, SUNY ACT President Vita DeMarchi, ACT Scholarship recipient Maritza Angeles-Gonzalez ’19 and SUNY Potsdam College Council Chair June O’Neill, Hon. ’01.

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