Jason Otah reflects on the mentors and experiences that shaped his path from student-athlete to aspiring mental health professional.

As May graduation approaches, East Texas A&M University is celebrating members of the Class of 2026 who have distinguished themselves through achievement, leadership and ambition. Jason Otah is one of those students.

When Jason Otah arrived at East Texas A&M University, he didn't plan to study psychology. Initially a biology major, Otah soon found himself drawn to a different kind of calling—one rooted in understanding people and helping them navigate complex mental health challenges.

“It was really just my past experiences,” Otah said. “I've seen people I looked up to—on paper everything seemed perfect—and then something would happen. That made me want to help people, but I didn't know how until I found psychology.”

Set to graduate this May with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Otah will serve as the College of Education and Human Services' student speaker at commencement. His journey reflects not only academic success, but a deep commitment to service, leadership and research.

Leadership in Action

Otah's time at East Texas A&M has been defined by involvement. From his early days on campus, he immersed himself in organizations and roles that allowed him to make a difference.

He has served as a peer mentor beginning in his sophomore year, eventually becoming a peer mentor lead in the Student Transition and Support office. In that role, he helped teach first-year seminar courses, guiding new students through the challenges of adjusting to college life.

“I meet with every student in my class—usually 20 to 35 students—three times a semester,” Otah said. “It's about making sure they're on track, helping them find resources and just making sure everything's going well.”

His leadership extended to the Student Government Association, where he served as chair of academic affairs. Under his leadership, initiatives helped provide free academic supplies like blue books and Scantrons to students, reducing barriers to success.

Otah also took on roles across campus, including serving as president of Psi Chi, the psychology honor society, and participating in honors and service organizations. His involvement even extended beyond campus, where he helped coordinate volunteer opportunities connecting students with hospice care providers.

Dr. Kimberley Morgan-Thompson, college life coach for Student Transition and Support, said Otah's impact was clear from the beginning.

“He quickly became one of my top peer mentors,” she said. “What sets Jason apart is his genuine desire to create meaningful change. His exceptional work ethic, combined with his leadership and sense of responsibility, makes him not just an outstanding student but also a remarkable mentor.”

Research that matters

Beyond leadership, Otah has built an impressive research portfolio, one that reflects the applied, hands-on focus of the psychology program.

Working in Dr. Curt Carlson's Crime Lab, Otah contributed to research on eyewitness identification and memory, an area with real-world implications for the justice system. His work involved running experiments, processing data and collaborating with graduate students on ongoing studies.

“The stuff that we do helps out with the Innocence Project,” Otah said. “It frees people who are wrongly incarcerated. Eyewitness identification is a very fickle method because memory is a fickle thing, so it's really cool to be part of that process.”

He also gained clinical experience at ETAMU's Community Psychology Clinic, assisting with assessments and therapeutic treatments for students and community members.

Faculty members say his dedication to research stands out.

“Jason is everything a professor hopes to see in a student,” said Dr. Kevin Diegel, adjunct professor of psychology. “He's brilliant with a hunger to learn more. We put together a full psychological study in six weeks, largely in part to his hard work and dedication.”

Otah's academic journey also includes participation in the Honors College, where he completed multiple internships and engaged in advanced coursework. One of his most impactful experiences was a study abroad trip to Belize, where he explored differences in mental health systems and social services.

“It was one of the best things I did while I was here,” Otah said. “We got to see how different communities handle psychology and social work, and it really opened my eyes.”

Balancing Athletics and Academics

In addition to his academic and leadership commitments, Otah has been a student-athlete, playing on the university's football team as a defensive lineman.

Balancing athletics with coursework, research and multiple leadership roles is no small feat, but Otah has embraced the challenge. His experience as an athlete has also influenced his academic interests, particularly in areas like sports psychology and mental health among athletes.

“I do plan on integrating both in some capacity,” he said. “I have such a large network of people within that space; it would be foolish not to look into helping athletes.”

Dr. Ray Green, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, said Otah's ability to excel across multiple areas is remarkable.

“He not only excelled in the classroom but also found time to conduct research in a lab and play on our football team—all while being one of the kindest people I know,” Green said. “I can't wait to hear about his future successes.”

Looking Ahead

As Otah prepares to graduate and continue his education at Northwestern State University, he is quick to credit the people at East Texas A&M who helped shape his journey.

From Student Transition and Support, he pointed to Kimberly Morgan-Thompson, Davida Tarpley and Sierra Jones who played key roles in his success.

“They gave me my love for teaching,” Otah said. “That's something I never thought I'd be able to do. They taught me how to teach, how to control a room, and really how to connect with students.”

Otah also highlighted the impact of faculty members, including Kevin Diegel, whose approach to teaching and research helped deepen his understanding of the field.

“He makes the most complicated things seem really simple,” Otah said. “As a research advisor, he didn't hold my hand—he gave me the structure and let me explore what I wanted to do, which made the whole process a lot more fun.”

He also spoke highly of Dr. Ray Green, recalling his experience in an honors course that connected psychology with film and literature.

“That was one of the best classes I've ever been a part of,” Otah said. “It showed me that you can still have fun with what you're learning and make those connections in ways I hadn't thought about before.”

Through these relationships and experiences, Otah said he found not only academic direction, but also a strong support system that encouraged him to grow both personally and professionally.

“I could go on for hours talking about the people who helped me, and still forget some people,” Otah said.

As he looks toward graduate school and a future in clinical psychology, Otah carries with him the lessons and mentorship he gained at East Texas A&M—experiences he says have made all the difference.