Studying the Human Mind: A Recent Grad’s Success Web Director | May 24, 2017

Lionel Booth (’17)’s dream is to become a forensic psychology professor.

He loves studying the human mind and wants to help others understand it, too.

Booth was a peer tutor in the Student Success Center at Thomas College when he was looking for an internship. Someone suggested he might be able to co-teach a class. With the support and help of his advisor, Booth co-taught a forensic psychology course with Dr. Tracey Horton in his senior year.

“Thomas has never really done this before,” said Booth. “But they were very supportive in making this happen for me.”

Booth co-taught two forensic psychology courses. He would design assignments, choose topics, prepare and give lectures to his peers. He taught on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:15 to 3:30 p.m. and then 3:30 to 4:55 p.m.

“I’ve really enjoyed my teaching experience with Dr. Horton,” he said.  “It’s actually fortified my desire to be a professor.”

His plan is to begin with field experience, then work towards his master’s, doctorate, and then to be a college professor of forensic psychology.

“That’s what I’ll do as a final thing until I die.”

Booth graduated from Thomas College on May 13 and is now working at Crisis and Counseling in Waterville.

At 18 years old, Booth never thought this is where he’d be today.

“When I was back in high school, I wasn’t as ambitious as I am now. I never really thought that much about it. I did imagine that I would go to a college,” he said.

“Right up until the end, I never really pictured Thomas. But then, I really got to know it and how small it is. I really appreciate the tight community because I’ve lived in a small town my whole life. So that’s been great.”

Booth also never imagined he would be a psychology tutor for the whole school.

He has also been a tutor for the EDGE program, an early start program at Thomas. He was an EDGE participant himself his first year, and has gone back each year as a tutor.

“It really gets the students a taste for college life. It gets them introduced without having everyone else here as well.”

At Crisis and Counseling, Booth will work in the crisis unit where he will respond to crisis situation phone calls. He talks to the person over the phone to complete risk assessment.

“I will have to figure out, is this person in danger of themselves? Is this person in danger to someone else? It’s very fast-paced and intense work,” he said.

Booth is glad this is where he ended up.

“Thomas has been a really great community. I felt really at home,” he said. “It was very easy to get involved and I feel like it prepared me for the future as I already have a job lined up before graduation.”