High school students interested in studying psychology in college have an opportunity to learn more about this academic discipline, and reflect on who they are as a person, through a pair of pre-college courses offered by Alfred University as part of its Summer at Alfred 2026.
Summer at Alfred University provides a wide variety of exciting activities, including arts-focused workshops and residencies, sports clinics, and engineering short courses. The program also offers two psychology-focused pre-college courses taught by Alfred faculty: “Who Am I: Exploration of Identities” and “Psych Explorers: Decoding the Mind.”
“If you’re interested in psychology as a major, Psych Explorers lets you test the waters,” said Isaac Matson, Pre-College Programs coordinator. “With “Who Am I,” the focus is on how psychology works for me as a person and what identity I will establish for myself.”
Matson said learning about psychology with regard to career potential, and learning who you are as a person, go hand in hand. “Students ask the question: What job will I get after college? Knowing yourself as a person lets you pursue what you want to.”
Michele Tichy, assistant professor of developmental psychology, is instructor or the “Who Am I” pre-college course, which she described as “a lively, student-centered workshop that invites high schoolers to explore the many parts that make up who they are.”
Through short reflective exercises, creative prompts, and small-group conversations, participants will examine personal values, cultural influences, interests, and the roles they play at school and in their communities.
“This workshop gives students a clearer sense of who they are—so they can write authentic personal statements, choose college environments that fit them, and enter campus life with confidence and purpose,” Tichy said. “By linking identity, resilience, and goal‑setting, the course equips young adults with the self‑knowledge and practical strategies they need to thrive academically and personally long after graduation.”
Julia Langdal-Sittu, assistant professor of psychology, will instruct the pre-college course, “Psych Explorers: Decoding the Mind,” during Summer at Alfred 2026.
Julia Langdal-Sittu, assistant professor of psychology, will instruct the “Psych Explorers” pre-college course. According to the course description, the program offers “interactive explorations, hands-on experiments, and real-world case studies” that allow students to “delve into topics like memory, perception, mental health, and brain anatomy. Led by experts in psychology and neuroscience, this program offers a unique blend of science, critical thinking, and fun, perfect for curious minds considering a future in the behavioral or brain sciences.”
“Psychology as a field of study is a very popular program at Alfred University, as well as among college students in general,” Matson commented. “This particular program allows high school students who might be interested in studying psychology to get a firsthand experience in how it affects almost every aspect of our lives as humans. This weeklong course is the perfect starting point, or continuation, of a student’s interest in the field of psychology. Both fun and engaging, students will leave the pre-college program knowing what they will encounter in a psychology classroom at the collegiate level.”
Alfred Summer Arts 2026 features Summer Arts workshops in a variety of media designed for participants of all levels—including artists, educators, visiting professionals, and community members—as well as a number of pre-college art programs. Spend a day, a week, or an entire month immersed in hands-on experiences in our renowned studios and facilities working with our amazing faculty.
Specialized workshops—open to anyone over the age of 18—will be offered on the coast of Maine, providing a unique opportunity to explore the landscape-inspired art. A three-week artist residency will be offered in studio facilities at Alfred University’s M.F.A. painting program in Düsseldorf, Germany. This program is open to artists with BFA/MFA degrees; and professional, emerging, and mid-career artists. Emerging and mid-career artists working in the field of painting are welcome to apply.
A 25-percent discount is offered to local residents participating in Summer Arts 2026 workshops.
Pre-College Programs provide students the opportunity to engage in a host of immersive learning experiences. Alfred University offers more than 25 pre-college programs and sports clinics, a variety that ensures that there is something of interest for every high school student. These programs provide unique opportunities for students to explore their passions and gain hands-on experience in state-of-the-art facilities with our faculty and coaches.
Alfred University offers a $100 discount off tuition for Summer at Alfred pre-college programs for students whose primary residence is within a 50-mile radius of Alfred, NY. The discount also applies to children of Alfred University alumni and returning students from any Pre-College Program at Alfred University.
For more details and information on Pre-College Programs, please contact Isaac Matson, Pre-College Programs coordinator, at [email protected]. For information on Summer Arts workshops, please contact Faith Houy, administrative manager/coordinator of operations to the dean of School of Art & Design/Performing Arts Division, at [email protected].
