PSYCHOLOGY honours graduate Samantha Joplin received the prized University Medal at today's Southern Cross University graduation ceremony in Coffs Harbour.

Originally from a farm near Wauchope, Samantha had an early interest in psychology sparked when she had a close experience of mental illness through some family and friends.

She graduates with a Bachelor of Psychology with Honours awarded with First Class Honours.

"It was very surprising for me to receive the University Medal but to be honest, I worked very hard to get it," Samantha said.

"I guess the experiences from my family (with mental illnesses) sparked the curiosity in me.

"I have seen the pain that mental illness can cause, particularly in rural areas, where support services are basically non-existent."

The 23-year-old's honours research was a pilot study aiming to increase medication adherence in populations with rheumatoid arthritis using musculoskeletal ultrasound.

The study took place at the community-based Mid North Coast Arthritis Clinic in Coffs Harbour and Samantha will present her findings at the Australian Rheumatology Association (ARA) conference in Hobart next month.

Samantha, who will marry her childhood sweetheart later this year, wants to become a neuro-psychologist.

She will continue studies at Sydney University where she is undertaking a Doctor of Clinical Psychology combined with a Masters in Science (double degree) and potentially, a PhD.

The University Medal brings a $30,000 grant through the Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS) and an Allied Health Clinical Psychology scholarship.

"The grant is given to those from a rural background to encourage them to return to rural areas to practice," Samantha added.

"Long-term I would love to return to the country, where there is a dire need for psychological services."

At today's ceremony a PhD was presented to Raina Mason for her thesis Designing Introductory Programming Courses - The Role of Cognitive Load.

Dr Mason is a lecturer in the Southern Cross Business School.

Graduates received their awards from the University's Chancellor, The Hon John Dowd AO QC, participating in his final Coffs Harbour graduation before concluding his 12-year term in September.