When it comes to Michelle McCreary, the consensus of her friends, teammates and professors makes it clear-she is unmistakably an all-around student-athlete. A biology and psychology double major, she also swam for four years. She wrote a thesis in psychology, went to Nationals for swimming in her first two years (barely missing the cut in her last two) and was named co-captain this year.

Swimming to success

McCreary knew from high school that she wanted to participate in swimming at college. She cites Head Coach Nick Nichols as "one of the main reasons I came to Amherst." "In the pool, he has pushed us to our limits, but he knows what works, as it has paid off every year when it counts," she said. Nichols spoke equally highly of McCreary. "She really is the quintessential student-athlete," he said. "She was a masterful swimmer-she had a lot of improvement at Amherst, and at the same time performed well academically. She was an example for the whole swim team. ... In the eyes of the team, she was one of the best people to have as a leader."

Spending hours training in the pool also gave her the opportunity to get to know teammates in her class that she refers to as her eight best friends. "I am so grateful to have shared my Amherst experience with such an incredible group of girls," she said. Similarly, the women had much to say about McCreary's impact on the team. "Michelle is extremely caring and sensitive to the needs of others, positively impacting those around her," said Alexis Johnston '05. "She is willing to do anything to help make things easier for others. Her dedication to swimming and the intensity with which she trains helps motivate all her teammates to try harder in the pool."

A sexy thesis

McCreary spoke of her thesis in terms of the experience it gave her, and the opportunity it gave her to work with Associate Professor of Psychology Catherine Sanderson in a legitimate psychology study. "[Sanderson] was probably the most important influence in my original decision to become a psych major, and my more recent interest in pursuing a career in health psychology," McCreary said of her thesis advisor. As a first-year, McCreary originally intended to major in biology and complete pre-med requirements. However, she took Psychology in the spring of her sophomore year with Sanderson, and she found the class so interesting that she continued to take psychology classes and eventually declared a late double major. Professor of Psychology Buffy Aries seems to understand her choice. "[McCreary] gained a depth of understanding of psychological theory, and her ability to apply psychological theory to case material was outstanding," she said.

Sanderson had much praise to provide. "It was a very ambitious piece of work, and very much at the level of a master's thesis at a university," said Sanderson. "Right now, she is working on preparing it to hopefully have it published in a scientific journal."

McCreary's thesis examined the role of different kinds of brochures in leading to behavior change in condom use. Her thesis was multifaceted in terms of the work that she had to do to complete it. She first designed two condom brochures herself, one based on HIV/AIDS information and one focusing on how to discuss condoms, condom skills and so on. Then she administered the study. She had participants read over the brochure, and four months later, interviewed them and had them self-report the impact that the brochures had on their sexual behaviors. Said Sanderson, "The findings from Michelle's thesis could have a real impact on sexual behaviors on college campuses."

Amherst academics

Upon arriving at Amherst, McCreary remembers having a difficult time adjusting: "My high school did not prepare me well, and I was in way over my head." She took the first-year seminar Friendship with Professor of English Kim Townsend, where she was "terrified, because [I] was forced to talk, and my writing was terrible." The class was pivotal to her academic growth; she was encouraged to speak up and greatly improved her writing.

Looking back over her four years, McCreary said, "Amherst has given me self-confidence. My friends, especially, have helped me grow so much." She reminds fellow Amherst undergraduates to "just appreciate the incredible people you are surrounded by daily!"

Looking ahead

Before going to graduate school to study social psychology and obtain her Ph.D., McCreary is taking a year or two hiatus from studying to work as a research assistant at Mass. General in Boston. She will be working with researchers in the Department of Pediatric Psychopharmacology on clinical trials. The research is ongoing, studying the different effects of drugs for bipolar and ADHD adults and children. "It's especially exciting because the researchers guarantee that they will publish within two years," she said.

Her friends and teammates, Johnston and Rebecca Stein '05, expect a lot from her. "Michelle is extremely hard working. She is a perfectionist and is driven to succeed," said Johnston. "She will be successful in whatever path her future takes." Stein agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "Michelle is a very motivated individual. I definitely see her as a working woman. I am sure she will lead a very successful and happy life."