widman@sanduskyregister.com

A once-in-a-lifetime summer experience certainly has La-Shawna Stegall psyched up.

On Sunday, the BGSU Firelands student returned from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., where she participated in a fellowship program funded by the American Psychological Association.

She was one of 12 students selected for the prestigious program, of about 400 applicants.

Even more impressive: She is the first Bowling Green State University student to ever participate, including main campus.

"I began looking for ways to set myself apart from other students, and I wanted to get started early," Stegall said. "I'm just so thankful the opportunity came this soon."

Stegall, 25, is a 2008 Sandusky High School graduate.

She enrolled in BGSU Firelands in 2014 as a psychology major after spending some time in the workforce and contemplating career paths.

It appears she's found her niche. 

In just a year, she's accomplished more than many students do in their entire college career.

Stegall's fellowship paired her with Debbie Boehm-Davis, a renowned psychology professor at George Mason University. For six weeks, she collected data and conducted hands-on research regarding human factors psychology — a discipline that studies human behavior and applies it mostly to engineering.

The fast-growing field strives to make products safe, dependable and easy-to-use.

"Psychology is such a part of everyday life, and I don't think many people realize it," Stegall said.

Megan Zahler, coordinator of Career Services at BGSU Firelands, is one of several instructors who has mentored Stegall throughout her college career so far, including the rigorous application that resulted in her fellowship.

She praised Stegall's passion, curiosity and her dedication to her long-term goals.

"She's no-nonsense about her ambitions, but still very charismatic," Zahler said. "We're so proud. She's a special student, and I'm thrilled the APA saw something in her that we've all seen since she first enrolled at BGSU Firelands."

Stegall hopes to attend graduate school and someday land a job conducting research.

Her advice to other area students: don't let living in a small town prevent big-city dreams.

"I'm not the smartest, greatest or most experienced student — I was just the one who jumped first," Stegall said. "My instructors propelled me to push myself in ways I never thought were possible, and I hope my story inspires other students to do the same."