Darius Baskerville, Psychology Student

Second-year psychology student Darius Baskerville donates his time to a wide range of activities, from the student government at NCC's Monroe campus to serving as a youth minister at the church where his mother is also a pastor. It's been instilled in Baskerville from an early age that no matter what circumstances a person is facing, tomorrow can be better. It's a lesson that he carries with him and teaches to those who look to him for guidance.

"I have a lot of kids coming to me and asking me questions, wanting me to be there for them. I pride myself in helping them make themselves better," says Baskerville. "One of the things that I instill in them is not to let your past be the thing that holds you back, but to change today so you can be better for tomorrow. And so I figured, why not go into a field where I can help people do that?"

Baskerville started at NCC as a Radio/TV major, but was soon intrigued by a human behavior course that he had taken as part of his required electives.  The class dealt with topics such as how the mind works, the grief process, and behavioral patterns of children. Baskerville's eyes were opened as to how he had already applied some psychological processes to times he helped friends get through difficult situations, and he realized that the psychology program was a better fit for his long-term goals.

"I definitely felt like it grabbed me," Baskerville says. "The course made things clearer to me, as to why people do the things they do. For example, you can't just tell someone to 'get over it' if they lose someone they care about. They have to go through the period of grief that's appropriate for them. Or when an infant is going through that phase where they don't realize you're coming back after you leave...they don't have the same awareness level that adults have."

Baskerville plans to pursue his education right up to the Ph.D. level, and has aspirations of one day opening his own practice. He feels that the education and experience he's received thus far at NCC has prepared him well for the future.

"A lot of people oftentimes downplay community college," says Baskerville. "At NCC, what they make sure of is that you gain all of the necessary tools to build a strong foundation for your future.  And, the campus really feels like a home. You see people you know almost everywhere you go, and you can get an education in a small-classroom setting. I love my professors and I love the environment. "

Baskerville's mother, who is pursuing a master's degree in psychology, also continues to serve as an inspiration to her son.

"She sees me bring home assignments on different subjects that she's already covered, and she's able to help me out if I need it," Baskerville says. "Again, it goes back to that family pattern and different phases that people go through. I hope to take the help that she's given me, and give that help to someone else."