Miranda Argyros '24
Summa Cum Laude
BA English, BA Psychology

On her major:
I’m a dual major in English and psychology. Admittedly, I chose psychology because several of my friends studied the field, and I found their conversations surrounding their classes interesting. After taking an introductory psychology course, I declared the major myself. 

As for the English major, I always knew that I enjoyed literary studies. In the second semester of my freshman year, I took two introductory English courses, and found the conversations facilitated through literary analysis fascinating. These courses stirred my imagination, while simultaneously challenging me to think deeply about argument, form, and social constructs. The knowledge I gained from these courses made me confident in my decision to pursue English. Having double majored, it has been both interesting and rewarding to experience the ways in which these areas of study inform one other.

Favorite class:
I’m not sure that I can select just one, so here are a few favorites:

As a sophomore, I took Dr. Celia Marshik’s Honors British literature class, which focused on the künstlerroman (the artist’s novel); we aimed to investigate the purpose of creating art. Since this course, I’ve re-read many of the syllabus readings, and have learned the true value of a seminar-style course.

In my junior year, I took Dr. Timothy August’s single author course, which focused on the writings and authorial context of poet Ocean Vuong. This course was my first prolonged engagement with poetry in an academic setting, which I am greatly appreciative of.

My most transformative class at Stony Brook has been Dr. Susan Scheckel’s Honors American literature class, which focused on the relationship between nineteenth-century American literature and visual and material culture. My independent research, which is situated in this literary era and subfield, began as a paper assignment for this class! I’ll be continuing this research in my graduate studies, so I am immensely appreciative to Dr. Scheckel and this course.

Awards and Accolades:
-Phi Beta Kappa
-Provost’s Award for Academic Excellence
-English Department Award
-URECA Summer Research Grant recipient
-URECA Researcher of the Month
-University Scholars Program |
- Academic Achievement Award (four-time recipient)
- Dean's List
-Conference presenter:
VPFA Study Day: ‘Silenced Voices and Erased Agencies in Victorian Life and Victorian Popular Fiction
  SUNY Annual Undergraduate Research Conference
  Stony Brook University Annual English Graduate Conference
  Annual URECA Research Symposium
  Annual English Honors Symposium

Career Aspirations:
I will be pursuing an MA in English this upcoming fall, where I’ll be studying American literature and visual and material culture. My ultimate goal is pursuing a PhD in English, and working in academia.

Clubs or organizations:
I have been a resident assistant for three academic years, and an office assistant for one. I also intern for Herstory Writers Network, as both a writer and the organization's first Outreach intern. As for my club involvement, I am the current President of Alpha Nu Zeta, a chapter of the national English Honor Society, Sigma Tau Delta; a member of Psi Chi, the Psychology Honors society; a member of the CAS Dean’s student advisory council; and a Project Sunshine volunteer.

Favorite SBU memory:
I tremendously value the conversations I’ve had with my faculty mentor, Dr. Scheckel, as well as the interactions I’ve had as in my extracurricular activities.

Many of my favorite memories, however, occurred outside of the classroom. Bike riding around campus, playing guitar with friends, and trying (and failing) to bake treats in the communal dorm kitchen are among some of my favorite memories I’ve made. I am so thankful for the friendships I’ve formed at Stony Brook, and I’m excited to watch my friends enter this next stage of their lives as well.

Parting thoughs:
I’d like to thank the Department of English and the English honors program, the Department of Psychology, and the College of Arts and Sciences. I’d like to express my deepest gratitudes to faculty members who have invested their time and knowledge into my success, particularly Dr. Susan Scheckel, Dr. Timothy August, Dr. Celia Marshik, and Dr. Andrew Newman. Their belief in my success has made all of the difference. I’m also extremely grateful for my friends and family, who have continually offered their support, humor, and care.