{"id":1991,"date":"2024-04-22T14:56:04","date_gmt":"2024-04-22T18:56:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/?p=1991"},"modified":"2025-11-04T14:16:10","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T19:16:10","slug":"raj-bala-chaudhary-24-psychology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/webapp.sunypoly.edu\/stories\/raj-bala-chaudhary-24-psychology\/","title":{"rendered":"Raj Bala Chaudhary \u201824: Psychology"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

When asked about Raj Bala Chaudhary, SUNY Poly Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Director Melissa Prest quickly said, \u201cShe epitomizes the motto of EOP, to \u2018lift as we climb.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Raj, a native of South Richmond Hill (Queens), has served as SUNY Poly\u2019s EOP Ambassador the last three academic years. In this role, she has tabled at different State University of New York (SUNY) campuses, as well as high schools and community events across the State, sharing what the program and SUNY Poly has to offer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Her efforts, on and off campus, recently earned her a prestigious Norman R. McConney, Jr. Award for EOP Student Excellence from SUNY, and her impact on her peers is evident to those who know her.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cSince her arrival at SUNY Poly, Raj has excelled academically and personally while simultaneously serving as a mentor, advocate, and role model to her peers,\u201d said Prest. \u201cI have no doubt that she will continue to soar, and I can\u2019t wait to see where life takes her and all the many lives her hard work will continue to impact.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Raj, a first-generation college student, had initially come to SUNY Poly to study engineering. However, a passion for mental health emerged during COVID as she saw the mental health challenges her peers experienced. This, along with Raj\u2019s history with mental health; her siblings faced neuropsychiatric and psychological conditions as an outcome of serving in the military, served as the catalyst for the change. In May 2024, Raj will walk across the stage with a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Psychology, with minors in Community + Behavioral Health (CBH) and Criminal Justice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Raj\r\n
Raj with her parents and SUNY Poly EOP Director Melissa Prest at the recent award ceremony.<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cI feel like, if I’m equipped [with the necessary tools], I can help my siblings and others who struggle daily with mental health challenges,\u201d she said of studying psychology and CBH. \u201cIn regard to criminal justice, I\u2019ve always been intrigued with true crime, so I thought I\u2019d tack that on for fun.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Post-graduation, Raj plans to pursue a master\u2019s degree in mental health counseling, and eventually earn her PhD or PsyD in Clinical Psychology.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

COIL and a trip abroad<\/strong>
In addition to the skills gained through traditional coursework, Raj has also gained unique perspectives and new connections around the world, through her participation in the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program, and a study abroad opportunity in England.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\"Raj\r\n
Raj while studying abroad in London<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

With COIL, Raj was a student in Dr. Pallavi Gupta-Bouder\u2019s Forensic Biology course, which saw SUNY Poly students and peers in Mexico at Universidad de Sonora work together (virtually) on a four-week long project that also blended Neurobiology and Neuropsychology of Criminology elements. Together the students looked at criminal case studies, dissecting them using forensic and neuropsychology analysis tools. Raj enjoyed the project, as well as the new friends made during the experience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Following COIL, with the help of SUNY Poly\u2019s Office of Global Programs, Raj took a two-week psychology, mind and body course at King\u2019s College in London.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In addition to learning about gender, students also discussed how some developmental disabilities and mental health disorders were connected to certain physical health issues. One example, Raj conveyed was the connection between autism and poor gut health. She explained this as \u201ceye-opening\u201d as she has a nephew who is on the spectrum and suffers from poor gut health. Understanding the importance of the microbiome and the role it plays for people with ASD was a connection she had never made before. As a result, she explained this to her family and helped him get proper treatment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Raj encourages other students to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad, whether it\u2019s for a short-term course or for a semester.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cI\u2019m very proud to say that I studied abroad,\u201d she said. \u201cGoing to King\u2019s College was a great experience and I learned a lot.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

In reflection of her time at SUNY Poly, which began during the COVID era and nearly 250 miles away from family, there were certainly challenges, but ultimately the experience has been worthwhile.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

\u201cI was presented with a lot more opportunities than I ever would have [in the City],\u201d she said, \u201cand I\u2019ve loved the interpersonal relationships that you foster with your peers, residents, and faculty at SUNY Poly.\u201d<\/p>\r\n