Knight to Know: Mechelina “Mec” Panyik ’25
Hometown: Lancaster, Pa.
Major: Psychology
Minor: Gender and Sexuality and Studio Arts
Extracurriculars: Honors Program, Peer Educator in the Office of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Education (OSVPE), member of Coalition for Intersectional Trans Advocacy (CITA) and Coordinated Community Response Team (CCRT), Orientation Leader, Student Pedagogical Consultant for Research Methods, Undergraduate Research Assistant in the Psychology Department, Peer Mentor for First Year Seminar (Body Talk), Work Study in Theater Department
What do you like to do in your free time? In my spare time, I love reading, drawing, thrifting with friends, waiting for the next episodes of my favorite shows, and treating myself to a good mocha latte.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date? My proudest accomplishment to date has been completing my thesis, which is on the need for transgender people to pass as cisgender and the subsequent development of disordered eating symptoms in trans/gender diverse populations, particularly when gender-affirming care is inaccessible.
Post-grad plans: After my time at Arcadia, I plan to pursue a graduate degree in my field and, in the meantime, continue to explore the different directions I can take my degree in the workforce and beyond.