Bryant University Psychology major Maya Niemeyer ’26 has her sights set on a career at the intersection of the legal system and human behavior.
The graduating senior is taking the skills she’s developed and refined over the past four years at Bryant University to Bucknell University this fall, where she will pursue a Master of Science in psychology. Niemeyer plans to focus her studies in the university's psychology and law lab – a space where student researchers look at alibi construction, memory’s role in this area, and how emotions impact eyewitness testimony.
From there, she plans on earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology and working within forensic psychology.
“It is a large field, but I'd love to do something with incarcerated populations,” says Niemeyer.
Wherever her path leads, she’s well prepared. Through extensive hands-on research and internships, Niemeyer has already gained meaningful insight into the realities of the field and is ready for the next stage of her academic and professional journey.
Finding her four-year home
Hailing from Williamstown, Massachusetts, Niemeyer first learned about Bryant from her high school guidance counselor. She was intrigued by the university’s policy of mixing studies in one college with another.
“I liked the idea of the integrated major/minor because I thought it would help me be a little bit more well-rounded,” says Niemeyer.
After traveling three hours to campus for a tour, Niemeyer was struck by the campus’s beauty and how close-knit the community was. She still remembers how everyone seemed to know her tour guide and say hi as they made their way around the university.
She also experienced that sense of community firsthand.
“When I came for the Admitted Student Open House, I met Dr. Joseph Trunzo, and he gave me a personal tour of the psychology labs,” says Niemeyer. “That was the day I was like, ‘Okay, I'm going to deposit.’”
Practice-based learning
Immersing herself in her studies, Niemeyer began working with Assistant Professor of Psychology Melanie Maimon, Ph.D., on independent research in the spring semester of her sophomore year. Together, they examined how institutions respond to bias incidents and the most effective ways to deal with said situations. Niemeyer continued to work with Maimon through her senior year and completed three independent studies on bias incidents. The pair is currently writing a manuscript, which they plan to submit to an academic journal next month.
In addition to her research, Niemeyer also had the opportunity to intern with the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families through her “Counseling Theory and Practice,” course with Clinical Professor of Psychology Lindsay Amper, Ph.D.
“I got to go on home visits for wellness checks, sit in on forensic interviews, and attend court dates,” Niemeyer says. “I even got to learn about the database they use to keep track of kids that are in the system.”
Through that experience, she met a Providence family court judge who she ended up interning for during her senior year. In that role, Niemeyer created a document for the Rhode Island Fatherhood Initiative that provides fathers who are currently involved in the court system with a more digestible understanding of their rights and responsibilities throughout the court process.
“That's now been published on the state website and has been distributed throughout the system,” Niemeyer says.
Building off a strong foundation
In addition to her academic achievements, Niemeyer was also a Bryant University Admission Fellow and a member of the university’s women's club soccer team, Academic Integrity Board, and Community Standards Hearing Board. She also participated in Bryant’s Student Support Network, through which peer counselors are trained to recognize potential mental health concerns, offer support, provide guidance, and help their peers find the assistance they need.
As she prepares to begin her next chapter at Bucknell, Niemeyer has some parting advice for incoming students who are about to start their own college journeys.
“You have so much time to figure out what you want to do,” Niemeyer says. “The number one thing is to trust that it's going to work out as long as you show up, put the work in, and do your best.”