For a lot of students spending a summer in Boulder, Colo., they’d likely use their time conquering the countless hiking trails, camping under the stars, and maybe even catching a show or two at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre. 

While that might also be on the docket for philosophy and psychology double major major Sterling DeMascio when he heads west after May commencement, he’ll also have his hands – or, in this case, his thoughts – full as he attends the prestigious Colorado Summer Seminar in Philosophy at the University of Colorado Boulder. DeMascio’s participation in the seminar is the culmination of an exceptional undergraduate career that earned him one of the 20 coveted enrollment slots. With plans to apply to doctoral programs this fall, DeMascio will be more than prepared for his postgraduate studies ahead.

Why did you choose your majors?

I came into VCU as a psychology major because I wanted to learn about the human mind and eventually become a therapist. The highlights of my experience as a psychology major here were definitely the two research labs I interned at — the Green Lab and the SPN Lab.

To me, philosophy is the most human intellectual pursuit there is. Studying the way great thinkers have thought about the grandest questions since ancient times teaches me how to approach these questions for myself. In a less awe-inspiring manner, I think it’s awesome how philosophers can break down the most obscure and abstract topics into their most fundamental pieces. It seems like there’s no realm that philosophy can’t explore.

Favorite class so far? Why?

Picking my favorite philosophy class is difficult, but if I was forced to choose I would say Metaethics with Miles Tucker, Ph.D. I enjoy looking at things from the most abstract lens possible. Seeing how metaphysics, linguistics, philosophy of mind, and epistemology coincide to create the theoretical background for normative theories was fascinating.

My favorite psychology class was definitely social psychology with David Chester, Ph.D. His passion for teaching and the subject made classes fun and engaging. Looking at social dynamics through the lens of empirical psychology gave me insight to the ways in which we interact with each other, and how society operates as a whole.

Favorite professor so far? Why?

My favorite professor is Dr. Tucker. I owe much of my success to his mentorship and passion for teaching. He deeply cares for what he teaches, and it shows in how much you can learn and grow in his classes.

Most interesting thing in your major's curriculum that you've learned or experience you've had?

The seminar classes have been an awesome experience in the Department of Philosophy. Each semester, a different professor takes a class on a deep dive of a specific topic in philosophy. I took Conscious, God, and Zombies with Andrew Moon, Ph.D., last semester, and I am currently taking Philosophy of Games with James Fritz, Ph.D. Being able to really get into the weeds of specific topics has been really fun.

For psychology, Kurt Crandall, Ph.D., deserves a huge shoutout for his classes. His experience in psychotherapy helps give undergraduates a great inside look into the field. I think a lot of psychology students come into the major hoping to do something in the therapeutic field and his classes are a great resource to learn more about it.

What are you hoping to do after graduation? Why?

I will be attending the Colorado Summer Seminar in Philosophy at the University of Colorado Boulder and then applying to philosophy doctoral programs in the fall. The wonderful experience I had in VCU’s philosophy program led me to fall in love with the field, and I would like nothing more than to continue to learn and grow in it. I think philosophy has much to offer the world in the modern era, and I hope to be a part of its continued history.