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First-year psychology major brings her mental health advocacy to USC Dornsife
Macie Miller, a first-year psychology major and mental health advocate, came to USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences from a little suburb in Texas that’s also home to the Dallas Cowboys practice stadium. She shared her story, including what brought her to USC and what she hopes to gain from her time as a Trojan.
What is one thing you brought with you that is meaningful to you?
One of the most important things I brought to California is my journal. As basic as it sounds, I have entries in there from every day for the past year. It’s nice to look through, see how much I’ve grown and reflect on things. It’s one thing to look through pictures, but to read back on my thoughts is even more realistic and memorable.
What are you most excited to do or get involved in now that school has started?
I’m hoping to get more information on joining the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I meet with a therapist in Dallas, and she told me that USC would most likely have a chapter to join. Hopefully, I will become a part of the organization as its purpose is very important to me. I also plan on going through rush in the spring.
Was there an impactful experience in your life that really shaped who you are today?
The first event that comes to mind is getting my dog, Jezebel. Though it may seem insignificant, raising her made me a million times more responsible and mature in a way I had never experienced before. Having a living being to care for definitely gives you a different perspective on things.
How do you think you will change or grow by the time you graduate?
I hope by graduation I will be more knowledgeable about the world. I’ve lived in one tiny bubble my whole life, so I think California will give me a broader realm of different ideas and understandings within life as a whole.