Starting over, finding purpose 

Doris Pena (‘26 psychology) did not take the traditional path to Iowa State University, but her journey is one she now looks back on with pride. 

As a first-generation college student, Pena began her college career at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge before transferring to Iowa State to study psychology. While the move opened new doors, it also came with challenges. 

“As a first-generation student, I had to figure everything out on my own,” Pena said. “When I transferred, it felt like I had to start all over again.” 

Coming to a larger campus was overwhelming at first. Pena said it was hard to adjust to an unfamiliar environment and find her place, especially as a transfer student. 

“You’re trying to meet new people, but a lot of friend groups have already formed,” she said. “It takes time, but once I found the right people and connected with professors, I started to feel more comfortable.” 

Pena’s decision to attend Iowa State was influenced by its location and familiarity. Having lived in Iowa her whole life, Ames felt like the right fit. 

Hands-on learning in and out of the classroom 

At Iowa State, Pena has built her experience through research that has helped her grow both academically and professionally. 

She first got involved in research through the Department of Psychology’s Navigation Lab after seeing an opportunity posted in the psychology bulletin and receiving encouragement from her advisor. This lab studies virtual reality (VR) to investigate the science of spatial perception and memory, while advancing innovations that make VR a more powerful and usable tool. 

“I didn’t know where to start, but that lab gave me my first experience,” she said. 

In the Navigation Lab, Pena worked with student participants and learned how to use research tools like Qualtrics. The experience helped her gain confidence and a better understanding of how research works in real world settings. 

Pena later joined the psychology department’s Aggression and Delinquency Lab, where she now works on a research project with a faculty mentor. Her work focuses on analyzing data and reviewing existing studies. 

“It’s still a work in progress, but I already have the data,” Pena said. “Now it is about figuring out how to analyze it and understand the trends.” 

She plans to present her research at multiple conferences, including the McNair Symposium and a conference in Chicago. 

Outside of research, Pena gained hands-on experience through an internship at UnityPoint Health’s Berryhill Behavioral Health Center. There, she worked closely with professionals and observed how they supported individuals with high mental health needs. 

“They would take me to people’s homes and help individuals with higher needs,” she said. “I got to see real, one-on-one interactions, especially with patients who needed help with daily tasks.” 

The experience had a lasting impact on her career goals. 

“Seeing how much they cared for their clients made me realize this is something I want to do,” Pena said. “It helped me understand that counseling is the path for me.” 

Finding support and looking ahead 

Pena was recently accepted into the McNair Scholars Program, which supports first-generation and underrepresented students pursuing graduate education. She said joining the program has been one of the most meaningful parts of her college experience. 

“I did not think I would get in, but once I did, I found my community,” she said. 

Through the program, Pena has gained mentorship, research support, and guidance on applying to graduate school. She is currently in the process of interviewing for master’s and doctoral and programs. 

“It has been stressful waiting to hear back,” she said. “But it is exciting to finally see everything coming together.”  

Looking ahead, Pena said her goals are simple: Continue her education and help others through mental health work. 

“I am not picky about the path,” she said. “Whether it is a Ph.D. or a master’s program, I just want to keep moving forward and make a difference.” 

As she gets ready to graduate this spring, Pena said she is most proud of her perseverance. 

“I am proud that I made it through all the challenges,” she said. “I can confidently say that I did this.” 

For other first-generation or transfer students, Pena encourages them to step outside their comfort zones. 

“If something interests you, go for it,” she said. “Even if you feel alone, apply anyway and put yourself out there. You never know where you will find your people.” 

Her advice comes from experience – A journey that started with uncertainty but led to confidence, purpose, and a clear path forward.