Sami Sanchez-Garcia

Samantha Sanchez

Samantha Sanchez-Garcia graduated from Eastern Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an emphasis in communication, sociology, and industrial/ organizational psychology. She participated in Eastern’s Inclusion and Diversity certificate program and was co-president of Psi Chi, an international honor society in psychology. Samantha was a research assistant in Dr. Jillene Seiver’s clinical psychology lab looking into how the mere presence of a cell phone may be distracting. Samantha is particularly interested in researching domestic violence to help bring greater awareness and support to victims and potential victims. Samantha completed her EWU McNair Summer Research Internship studying this topic, which she presented her research at the Baylor McNair Research Conference.

Samantha was accepted by three graduate programs in 2021: the Industrial-Organizational Psychology Masters Program at California State University in San Bernardino, the Industrial-Organizational Behavior Management Masters Program at Western Michigan University, and the Industrial and Organizational Psychology PhD Program at DePaul University with full funding. She was selected as one of three students by DePaul for this program out of 80 applicants! In 2021-2022, Samantha decided to make a shift in her career path and began her Masters in Social Work at Eastern in 2022.


2020 McNair Faculty Research Mentor: Dr. Jillene Seiver, Psychology

Research TitleTraumatic Experiences and Mental Health Among College Students

Abstract: Because most college students have experienced one or more traumatic experiences before reaching college, they may be at increased risk of experiencing a mental health disorder, such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The current study examined the relationship between a history of traumatic events and mental health disorders among college students. There were direct correlations between traumatic experiences and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. In addition, after dividing respondents into “low,” “middle,” and “high” levels of trauma, the high group scored significantly higher on symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Women reported more symptoms of anxiety and depression and more physical/sexual trauma than men did. Some of these effects were moderated by ethnicity. These results support the findings of previous research, and suggest that there is a need for more research to determine the kinds of support and treatment needed for college students who may have experienced trauma.


EWU McNair Faculty Mentor Dr. Jillene Seiver, "I've learned as much from my scholars as they've learned from me." Mentees include: Samantha Sanchez-Garcia, Darlynne Khayesi, and Ian Campuzano; Logo: Trio McNair Scholar's Program at EWU

Dr. Jillene Seiver: A Positive Mentor Dedicated to Preparing the Next Generation of Psychology Researchers

    Senior Lecturer Dr. Jillene Seiver first became involved with McNair in 2020. After teaching Psychology 100 to College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) students, one of those students  EWU McNair alumna Samantha Sanchez-Garcia – approached Dr. Seiver to be her faculty mentor. Dr. Seiver accepted the role with enthusiasm. The EWU McNair faculty mentor’s … Read more

What the Gilman Scholarship for Studying Abroad Can do for You

2019’s McNair Flyer about the Oaxaca Study Abroad Opportunity   When I knew I wanted to pursue a Ph.D., I decided to take on many research projects. I joined the McNair program and sought study abroad opportunities. The four-week immigration and language-focused international program in Oaxaca Mexico led by Dr. Nydia Martinez and Dr. Gina … Read more
Congrats to Samantha Sanchez-Garcia

EWU McNair Scholar Samantha Sanchez-Garcia Accepted by Third Graduate Program

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Samantha Sanchez-Garcia! Samantha has been accepted by the Industrial-Organizational Psychology Masters Program at California State University in San Bernardino. This is in addition to her acceptance by the Industrial-Organizational Behavior Management Masters Program at Western Michigan University and by the Industrial and Organizational Psychology PhD Program at DePaul University with … Read more
Congrats to Samantha Sanchez-Garcia

EWU McNair Scholar Samantha Sanchez-Garcia Accepted to IOBM Masters Program at Western Michigan University

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Samantha Sanchez-Garcia! Samantha has been accepted by the Industrial-Organizational Behavior Management Masters Program at Western Michigan University. This is in addition to her acceptance to the Industrial and Organizational Psychology PhD Program at DePaul University. Samantha is majoring in Psychology at Eastern Washington University, with an emphasis in communication, sociology, … Read more
Congratulations to Samantha Sanchez-Garcia

EWU McNair Scholar Samantha Sanchez-Garcia Accepted to PhD Program at DePaul University

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Samantha Sanchez-Garcia. Samantha has been accepted by the Industrial-Organizational Psychology PhD Program at DePaul University with full funding. Samantha is majoring in Psychology at Eastern, with an emphasis in communication, sociology, and industrial/organizational psychology. She is also working on her Inclusion and Diversity certificate. Samantha is a research assistant in … Read more

Nine EWU McNair Scholars Present at Baylor McNair Research Conference

From looking at community perceptions of reentry barriers to formerly incarcerated people to the impact of chemical weathering from Mount St. Helen’s on streams, EWU McNair Scholars have been hard at work researching all summer under the guidance of their mentors. On October 1st and 2nd. Nine of these scholars presented at the 2020 Virtual … Read more

Samantha Sanchez Selected as an EWU McNair Scholar and Awarded Summer Research Internship

Congratulations Eastern Washington University student Samantha Sanchez! Samantha has been selected as an EWU McNair Scholar and awarded a summer research internship. McNair Scholars must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, are first generation college students and low-income and/or underrepresented students, and are selected for their promise as scholars and commitment to attaining a … Read more