For third-year psychology major Madalynn Hines, the Honors College and the Undergraduate Research, Scholarship and the Arts program have been instrumental in shaping her academic journey, providing a foundation for research, mentorship and personal growth.
Madalynn began her college career as a biology major but quickly realized she was “more interested in understanding people than cells,” she says. “After my first term, I switched to psychology because I wanted to help people.”
“I first got involved in research through URSA after one of my honors professors encouraged me to apply,” she says. “Without that push from the Honors College, I probably wouldn’t have known about it.” The experience gave her “confidence, direction and a close-knit" research community. “It’s such a great way to figure out what you love, what you don’t — and to actually get involved in your field early on.”
Now pursuing a minor in human development and family sciences alongside her psychology major, Madalynn focuses her research on psychotherapy and access to mental health care. “I’m most passionate about understanding how we can make therapy better for everyone — clients, therapists and trainees alike,” she explains.
Her current research, mentored by Matteo Bugatti, an assistant professor in the School of Psychological Science, explores burnout among counseling trainees and how it affects their relationships with supervisors and their willingness to share clinical challenges. “We’re looking at how burnout influences what trainees choose to disclose — or not disclose — to their supervisors,” she says. “It’s really about improving training systems for future therapists.”
Madalynn presented her findings at the 2025 American Psychological Association Convention in August, co-presenting with her research partner Ava Code. At the convention, Madalynn earned the Best Poster Award from the Supervision and Training Section of APA’s Division 17. What began as a class connection through the URSA Engage program has grown into a multi-year collaboration and the foundation of her upcoming honors thesis.
Madalynn says the Honors College has also provided a strong sense of belonging. “Being surrounded by people who are just as motivated and curious as you is very inspiring,” she says. Smaller class sizes and dedicated faculty have made a big difference, too. “One of my favorite honors psychology classes had only about fifteen students. We all knew each other and got to connect deeply with the material and the professor. That’s something you don’t always get at a large university.”
She credits much of her academic success to mentorship. “Dr. Bugatti is the most involved mentor I’ve ever met,” she says. “He’s invested in helping us find our paths, providing every resource possible and showing us what’s achievable. He’s the reason I even knew pursuing a Ph.D. in psychology was possible.”
The respect between mentor and mentee “goes both ways,” says Bugatti. “I feel incredibly proud of Madalynn’s success. She is remarkably self-driven, and her accomplishments are a reflection of her talent, perseverance and intellectual curiosity. While I’ve done my best as a mentor along the way, her growth and success have been the result of genuine collaboration, shared enthusiasm and her own remarkable dedication.”
Bugatti, who has mentored several undergraduates since his time as a doctoral student, believes mentorship is a reciprocal process. “Mentoring undergraduates has remained a central part of my academic identity,” he says. “While I strive to provide structure, resources and opportunities, my students continually remind me of the importance of curiosity, creativity and intellectual humility. Working with undergraduates — especially those like Madalynn who are exploring research for the first time — has made me a more reflective and intentional mentor. Their enthusiasm keeps our lab dynamic and reminds me that research is, at its best, a collaborative and evolving process of discovery.”
Looking ahead, Madalynn plans to apply to Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology and eventually return to academia as a researcher and professor. “I’d love to come back to a university setting to teach, research and help others the way my mentors have helped me.”
To incoming honors students, she offers simple but heartfelt advice: “Get involved early and take advantage of the opportunities around you. The Honors College has so many resources and connections: programs like URSA, supportive faculty and amazing peers. It’s a community that helps you find your direction.”
