Outstanding Seniors in the College of Science: Elise Belcher

This spring, the College of Science recognized 12 outstanding seniors for their contributions in and out of the classroom. Elise Belcher is this semester's recipient from Psychology!

The College of Science caught up with Elise to learn more about her experiences at the University of Arizona and what is on the horizon after graduation.

Why did you choose to study in your specific department/major?

I've always been fascinated by human behavior and what drives the way people think and act. That curiosity led me to major in psychology and, later, to pursue academia. I knew I was something special with research, as my curiosity was finally finding a home. Organizational Behavior stood out to me as the perfect intersection of science and real-world human dynamics. Ultimately, OB felt like the right home for the questions I most wanted to answer.

Tell me about a class or research project you really enjoyed.

I'm currently working on a project examining blame following trust violations, and I am serving as the project lead.  It sits at the intersection of psychology and organizational dynamics. While I have completed one other independent project, this is the first project I have felt truly passionate about, as it closely aligns with my overall research interests.

What is one specific memory from your time at UA that you'll cherish forever?

There was a brown bag session at Eller with a visiting faculty member from the University of Pennsylvania that truly changed my trajectory. Listening to and participating in that conversation was the moment I knew that I wanted to become a professor.

What are you most proud of having accomplished in your time at UA?

I'm most proud of the work I have done with Professor Oliver Schilke and the management faculty at Eller. Getting to contribute as a first author on a case study and to lead my own project as an undergraduate researcher are things I am incredibly grateful for.

What is next for you after graduation?

I'll be heading to Rice University to pursue my PhD in Organizational Behavior. My research will focus on trust, blame, and morality in organizations, themes I've become passionate about here at UA. I'm incredibly excited for this next chapter and can't wait to keep pushing this work forward.