When Mary Furlong enrolled at Kent State University at Trumbull, she was looking for a quality education close to home. She found that and much more.
A 2023 graduate with bachelor's degrees in neuroscience and psychology, Furlong chose Kent State Trumbull because it offered an affordable, high-quality education in her hometown.
Today, the Champion High School graduate is a research technician at Kent State University and a doctoral student pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience, a journey she says began with the opportunities and support she found at Kent State Trumbull.
"The campus was right down the road and offered smaller classes," Furlong said. "The cost was also important because I didn't have to pay higher tuition or live on a campus."
The smaller class sizes helped her form close relationships with faculty and staff, which strengthened her college experience.
"I received more guidance and personal attention from my advisors and professors," she said. "I also had the confidence to speak up in class and ask questions when I didn't understand something."
Among those who made a lasting impact were campus mentors and professors who encouraged her personal growth and scientific curiosity.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, academic advisor Chris Cooney, who has since retired, and Tony Zampino, assistant lecturer of information technology, became both academic guides and sources of personal support.
According to Furlong, Cooney and Zampino continue to check in and cheer her on.
Her passion for neuroscience emerged after taking her first course in the field. She said Melanie Tabak, Ph.D., professor of psychological sciences, helped spark her interest in neuroscience research.
That interest led her to volunteer in a research laboratory, where she eventually became a research technician. Three years later, she remains in the lab while pursuing her doctorate.
"My principal investigator has never shied away from discussing the challenges of earning a Ph.D.," Furlong said. "She has provided an environment that fosters confidence in lab skills and encourages learning from other students."
Furlong's career path also included work in behavioral health and addiction counseling, experiences she hopes to combine with research in the future.
"My ultimate goal is to gain enough experience in research and addiction to merge the two into an impactful career," she said.
Her path, however, has not been without challenges.
During her undergraduate years, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of her life. A nontraditional student, Furlong moved home, lost health insurance, worked two jobs and helped support family members while continuing her studies.
"Keeping my mental health a priority was vital," she said. "Being able to adapt and persevere are skills that are crucial to everyday life."
Those experiences taught her how to evaluate challenges, seek resources and adjust when necessary. These are lessons she continues applying today.
Looking ahead, Furlong hopes to secure a postdoctoral position and continue building a career that blends scientific research with improving lives. Whether that path leads to academia, industry, community health or administration, she is eager to continue learning and growing.
For students considering beginning their education at Kent State Trumbull, Furlong offers simple advice: "Ask questions," she said. "If you don't know something, someone does, whether it's a classmate, staff member or faculty member. There are many resources available to help students and accessing them is easier when someone has already been through that journey."
She also encourages students to embrace uncertainty.
"Go through the discomfort and uncertainty that come with new experiences," she said. "College is about growing as an adult and as a student."
Reflecting on her journey from student employee to graduate, researcher and Ph.D. candidate, Furlong believes her story demonstrates what is possible when students take advantage of the opportunities around them.
"I didn't anticipate the number of opportunities available to me and could never have predicted my journey," Furlong said. "I quickly realized the possibilities were limitless. I just had to take the first step and find what I connected with."
For Furlong, that first opportunity began close to home and has taken her farther than she ever imagined.