Mackenzie Paul
MacKenzie Paul
B.S. Psychology and Philosophy/Religion, 2023
“Mississippi State’s steady rhythm drew me in,” said MacKenzie Paul, a 2023 MSU graduate. “The beautiful campus, southern charm, close knit community, and easy living sang to me. I didn’t begin my career in the College of Arts & Sciences, but soon after beginning my studies, I realized my interests were shifting keys. Transitioning to the CAS allowed me to study the ideas that resonated most deeply with me: human relationships, emotions, theology, and philosophy. Joining CAS was like stepping into a choir where every voice mattered, and where the arts and sciences blended into a rich harmony that finally felt like my own song.”
Paul’s time at MSU was shaped in part by her involvement in several campus organizations that left a lasting impact on her experience. “Organizations like Lightbearer’s Ministry, Philosophy Club, Indigenous Students and Allies Association, Psi Chi, Honors College Ambassadors, and the College of Arts & Sciences Ambassadors became the ensemble that surrounded me. They offered community, harmony, and a supportive space to grow as an aspiring scholar. Each experience added a new note to my development,” said Paul.
The CAS and MSU’s Judy and Bobby Shackoul’s Honor’s College provided Paul with rich opportunities for growth as a student and a researcher. “Through fellowships that funded my research ideas and honors thesis and awards that enabled me to travel internationally to present my findings, these colleges helped transform curiosity into scholarship and practice into performance,” said Paul.
“I would be nowhere without the administrators and incredible professors in both colleges who mentored me throughout my journey, serving as conductors who guided my growth with care and intention. They went above and beyond to connect me with vital resources and helped me fine tune the skills that continue to shape my academic and professional life today.”
Dr. Dale Lynn Holt, Professor Albert Bisson, Dr. Kristen Campbell, Dr. Colleen H. Sinclair, Dr. Megan Stubbs-Richardson, and Dr. Kevin J. Armstrong are all notable professors and mentors who helped shape Paul’s path in a lasting way. “I owe them more than I can fully express. Each of them invested in me through intentional, one on one mentorship. From teaching me how to read philosophical texts in ancient Greek, to connecting me with critical resources and opportunities, to helping me master essential research skills, they each played a distinct role in my development. Without them, I would not be where I am today,” said Paul.
Paul has spent the past three years living in Waco, Texas, pursuing her Ph.D. in social psychology at Baylor University. Her recent research focuses on the psychology of music, with much of her current work conducted in collaboration with Baylor’s Black Gospel Archive, the largest of its kind in the world, where she examines emotional responses to Black gospel music. She also has taught psychological statistics to undergraduates and continues to expand her methodological expertise through her own coursework.
As of April 2026, Paul has transitioned to a new position as the research coordinator at the University of Pennsylvania in the Humanities and Human Flourishing Lab, pausing her Ph.D. studies for the moment. Paul’s long-term goal is to become a professor and to establish a research lab dedicated to exploring the psychological impact of music in hopes of creating the same kinds of transformative opportunities for students that her own mentors gave to her.
One accomplishment that Paul is proudest of is the collaborative effort behind the research for her master’s thesis. “Executing this project required working closely with multiple Baylor student organizations to record and produce the music used in my study,” said Paul. “Through coursework and mentorship in the College of Arts & Sciences that valued both humanistic inquiry and empirical research, I learned how to move fluidly between the arts and sciences, respecting the knowledge and expertise each brings to the table,” said Paul. “This project ultimately became an exercise in community building, grounded in a shared love for music and a deep respect for the scientific process, and it reflects the interdisciplinary foundation introduced to me at the CAS that continues to shape my work as a scholar.”
Outside of her research and coursework, she spends much of her time exploring. She enjoys traveling to new places and seeks out new experiences. “Last summer, I drove to California to attend a research skills workshop at UC San Diego and afterward spent several weeks meandering up the coast camping in major national parks and visiting parts of the country I had never seen before,” said Paul.
She also enjoys discovering new foods, music, books, and films. “During my undergraduate years, I created an Instagram account dedicated to these explorations, @mackbeeating, where I still document my travels and share the meals, media, and moments that inspire me along the way. Stay tuned for an upcoming post detailing my quest to try all of the hotdogs in Waco!”
With many responsibilities to juggle, it can be difficult at times to stay connected with her community and to reach out to long distance friends, but for Paul, making time for the people she cares for keeps her grounded. “Taking time to reflect on my growth and express gratitude helps me stay grounded and reminds me of the wonderful community that surrounds me. That sense of gratitude is what prompts me to pick up the phone, send an email, or write a card to check in on the people I care about,” said Paul.
When asked what advice she would give to today’s Mississippi State students, she said, “My first piece of advice to MSU students is to fully appreciate the Bin’s buffalo chicken cheese fries while you can. I have yet to find cheese fries that come close. My second, and far more important, piece of advice is to invest in relationships––with your peers, but especially with your professors. Maybe I’m biased as a social psychologist, but I think relationships are everything. It’s through these connections that you find not only opportunities, but also the ability to flourish in both your life and career.”