While many students at Penn State worry about being able to graduate in four years, Elizabeth Mauzy (senior-psychology) plans on doing it in just two. The 19-year-old plans to graduate this May.
She began her studies at Penn State in the spring of 2000, after finishing high school a semester early. She took 18 credits her first semester, and took 14 credits in the summer. She continued to go to school year-round, feeling the course load was not too much too handle.
"It's really not that bad; you get used to it," she said.
In November she realized that after two more semesters she would be ready to graduate. Mauzy did not want to take classes during the summer months again, and she decided she wanted to finish her classes this spring. After discussing it with her adviser, Mauzy decided to take 29 credits this semester.
"My friends think I'm a big nerd," she said. Mauzy said once she found out there was no limit to how many courses a student could be enrolled in, she decided to take however many credits necessary for her to graduate. She said her adviser was not in support of her taking this many credits, but she went ahead with it anyway.
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Mauzy said taking so many courses is not too hard.
"I'm just tired by Friday, but most people could handle it," she said.
In addition to such an extensive course load, Mauzy is also a member of Psi Chi, an honor society for psychology students and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
Mauzy is also able to aid other students through her work as a teaching assistant for Sociology 103 (Racism & Sexism), which is taught by Charles Lumpkins, lecturer of history.
Lumpkins said the class is very student-led and he picked up on Mauzy's drive for success when he first had her in class last semester.
"She is outstanding in analytical thinking," he said.
Lumpkins said Mauzy works hard as a teaching assistant, offering study sessions and making herself readily available to students.
"She is very hardworking and has a lot of energy," Lumpkins said.
Although still a teenager, Mauzy has her post-college plans mapped out. She might join AmeriCorps for a year or teach in New York City. After either of these options, she plans on attending law school.
"She really applies herself; it's amazing," Lumpkins said.
Barbara Mauzy, Elizabeth's mother, was able to graduate from college in just three years, and she is very proud and in awe of her daughter's success at the college level.
She describes Elizabeth as very determined.
"She rises to every occasion and proves to be a very capable person," she said.
