Charlotte Brownstone

Charlotte Brownstone '20

Degree and Class Year

BA ’20

Hometown

San Francisco, California

Major

Psychology

Extracurriculars

Watzek Student Advisory Committee (SAC), College Democrats Club, Sailing Club, Wind Symphony

What three words would you use to describe L&C?

Beautiful, Challenging, Inspiring

What has been your favorite class so far? How has it expanded your knowledge?

My favorite class so far was Social Psychology with Assistant Professor Diana Leonard. This is the area within psychology that I am particularly interested in and it fulfilled my expectations thoroughly. It allowed me to apply psychology to the real world in new and more specific ways than previous psychology courses. I loved how Professor Leonard incorporated current events and supplementary readings into the course, rather than just having us read out of the textbook.

What made you want to come to Lewis & Clark?

I knew I wanted to attend a liberal arts college. I have always loved all different subjects and wanted the breadth that a liberal arts education provides, as well as the intimate class sizes and close relationships with professors that come with a small school. I was particularly impressed with the large variety of courses, resources, and activities at Lewis & Clark. In addition, I visited campus and saw firsthand that the professors deeply care about their students and the school is supportive of all different learning styles, which was confirmed when I began attending L&C.

Have you had the opportunity to do research with a professor? What did you learn from that experience?

Yes, I do research on campus in the Behavioral Health and Social Psychology (BHS) Lab with Professors Brian and Jerusha Detweiler-Bedell. Before coming to Lewis & Clark, I knew I wanted to major in psychology but had no prior experience with the research side of the subject. My first semester, I began doing research in the BHS Lab, and it has been the perfect complement to my psychology courses. It is amazing to be able to apply what I learn in textbooks in my courses to real-life research and experiences.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?

My favorite spot on campus is Watzek Library. I love how many different cozy places there are to study. There are also large windows with beautiful views of the rest of campus.

What’s your favorite thing about living in Portland?

My favorite thing about living in Portland is the rain. I have always loved rain and I think it makes the campus and Portland look beautiful and green.

How did you decide on a major?

I have always been passionate about mental health, as well as interested in the way humans interact with one another. I took AP psychology my senior year of high school and fell in love with the subject matter. For me, psychology makes sense, and it is something that I am interested in and passionate about.

How do you manage stress?

In order to balance out the stress of classes, I enjoy sailing, reading, and listening to music. I sailed in high school and when I came to L&C, I realized how much I missed being out on the water. Luckily, we have a Sailing Club which allows me to get out on the water, have fun, and reduce stress. Other ways I manage stress are by keeping a planner and going to talk to professors in office hours. This way assignments and events don’t sneak up on me and I can clarify any confusion with professors before I let myself get too stressed.

Do you have a job on campus? If so, how do you fit work into your schedule?

I work as a circulation assistant in Watzek Library, welcoming patrons and checking books in and out. Work fits nicely into my schedule and it does not add extra stress.