Ten applications to graduate school - sent; internship under the belt - check; portfolio padded with accolade, set. Carla Roberson, senior psychology major and biology minor could not be any more ready for "what comes next"; and what does she have to say about it?

"I wish there were more hours in the day."

Roberson says while she may have entered college with an observant, strategic eye and reservation from jumping right into being involved, her sophomore year catapulted her student affairs undergraduate career. During this year, a personal favorite of the four, says Roberson, she became a resident assistant with the Office of Residential Student Services and hosted an event that would become of her favorite moments as a Kean student.

"I guess I underestimated myself at first. I [hosted] a program about relationships; and my brother, Christopher, came to be the guest speaker. He studies relationships and has even spoke at other universities," recalls Roberson. "I didn't expect the program to do as well as it did, but it was a success."

Roberson had similar doubts as a first year resident assistant taking on her own floor in an upperclassman building. Earning the respect as a younger student leader promoted a challenge; but like other obstacles she would come to face, Roberson held her own, this time building a community to squash the initial fear.

Since that sophomore year, Roberson has not lost momentum. She would go on to become secretary for the Psychology Club, senior class representative on the student government council, and join the service group, Be The Change. Additionally, she has flexed her academic muscle into such prestigious titles as Ronald E. McNair scholar, where she completed research on toddler temperament, parental stress, and sleeping patterns of both.

Like many McNair scholars, Roberson is adamantly pursuing entry into a doctoral program and opting out of a master's program. "If I am not accepted into a doctorate program right away, I will be fine with that; but I'm ready for it," says an eager Roberson. Whatever the outcome, Roberson says wants her line of work to lead her into the kind of community and opportunity she has with her current internship.

"If there was ever such a thing as falling in love fast, I felt that with the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless," she beams. "I searched long for where I wanted to do my service field work for my psychology course, and [being integrated] into the Coalition just came easier than other places. I met Sister Maryanne

Roberson anticipates graduating this May 2012; and with the amalgam of accomplishment attained during her undergraduate years, she is ready for the professional steps to follow.