Student Spotlight: Audrey Vang

January 8, 2025 - Shelly DeJong

Student Spotlight: Audrey Vang 

Meet Audrey Vang, a Psychology major double minoring in Youth and Society and Sociology. Originally from Suttons Bay, Michigan, Audrey transferred to Michigan State last year with plans to graduate in Fall 2025. Audrey shared with us recently about how connecting with an advisor has helped her as a transfer student, what class she tells all her friends and family about, and what some of her favorite MSU memories are. 

 

How did you decide on your major and your double minors? 

  

I had always been interested in understanding why people do the things they do, so I took Psych 101 during my first year at a community college in Traverse City and truly loved it. I continued to take more psychology classes as my electives. It felt like a natural fit for me. I was genuinely excited to go to class because I really wanted to learn more about psychology. Caring about the topic helped me succeed in those classes, too. 

 

I chose to minor in Youth and Society because I work well with children, so it made sense to focus on this area. Additionally, my advisor, Samantha Sliwa, encouraged me to do a double minor in Sociology since I was already taking many sociology classes as electives.  

 

 

How has connecting with a PSY advisor helped you? 

  

I did a couple drop-in advisor sessions but something just clicked when I met Samantha. We understood each other's jokes and fed off each other’s energy. She provided the reassurance I needed when it came to selecting classes. I expressed my frustrations with graduating later than my peers because of transferring, and Samantha listened and reassured me that I would still be a part of the 2025 graduating class. She understood my situation and my determination to be the best student I could be. I was genuinely grateful for the time she took to get to know me, and I trusted her process of advising. I am extremely grateful for the relationship I have developed with her in just a year.  

 

 

Tell us about your involvement with the Adolescent Diversion Program!  

  

I'm currently in my first semester in the Adolescent Diversion Program and I’ll complete it in the spring. The program has been an amazing experience that completely changed my perspective on my future career. At the beginning of the semester, I had a general five-year plan, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to pursue in grad school. However, after a few weeks in ADP, I realized that social work was something I was genuinely interested in. I see it as a way to make a positive impact on someone's life.  

 

ADP has provided me with valuable insights, and I feel like I’m becoming a strong advocate for youth. I’m very thankful for this program and have been recommending it to all my friends because I truly believe it can be life changing. During my training, I was fortunate to be the first person assigned a youth. I learned as I went along, applying everything I absorbed from those initial weeks to support my youth. It’s been a journey of growth for both of us. This experience has solidified my desire to pursue a career in social work when I enter graduate school. 

 

  

Can you talk about the hands-on experience of ADP?  

  

Overall, the hands-on experience has made me more comfortable in my own skin. Before getting paired with a youth, we would often do practice scenarios in class which were really challenging for me! However, when I encountered real-life situations with the youth, I find that if I don’t overthink things and simply share what I’ve learned, the conversation flows more naturally. There’s really no right or wrong way to respond; I just have to trust myself. This approach has helped reduce my anxiety and has boosted my confidence significantly. 

  

  

Favorite MSU moments? 

  

My favorite memory from MSU was participating in the Midnight Scream during finals week. It was a really funny experience. Every night at midnight, starting on Monday of finals week, people living on campus—whether in dorms or nearby apartments—would let out all the stress and anxiety that had built up from studying for or taking finals. It was such an incredible experience to hear everyone around you screaming together. By 12:01, you would feel so much better after letting everything out, knowing that everyone else was in the same boat. 

  

Another favorite MSU memory was during the eclipse. The campus looked beautiful that day, and everyone was outside the business complex. My friends and I were doing homework there, and so were many others. It felt like a wonderful environment, with people waiting for the eclipse, working on assignments, playing volleyball, and sunbathing. It truly felt like the highlight of my year because it was such an amazing atmosphere. 

 

I also love attending all the sporting events at MSU; I think that's one of the things that makes MSU special. The sense of community during those events is incredible. I'm so glad I transferred here. MSU is a home away from home.