Indiana University East celebrated the Class of 2021 during an on-campus Commencement Ceremony on May 14, in front of Whitewater Hall. The recording of the ceremony is available to watch online at https://www.iue.edu/commencement.

Graduates have overcome the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic – and navigated their lives, commitments to family, work, or as volunteers  – while completing their degrees.

Jaylen McKay (left) stands with Julian Short, 2020 IU East alumnus.

Read about a few of the members in the Class of 2021 on their campus experience, the impact they have made on campus or their community, and their future plans.

School of Business and Economics
Basketball was a focal point for Jaylen McKay of Indianapolis, Indiana, during his time at IU East. However, there was so much more to his college experience as he leaves with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing.

“My IU East experience was full of fun and friendships that I will have with me forever,” McKay said. “I met so many great people on campus and often times it felt like a big family rather than a small campus. Playing sports gave me the opportunity to connect with so many people not only on campus, but in the community.”

The Indianapolis native scored 1,172 points in his career with the Red Wolves and was an All-River States Conference performer, but he also had an impact in the community.

“I created a basketball tournament at Clear Creek Park with sole proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Wayne County,” McKay said. “I can say now that Richmond is like a second home to me and I’ll be back often.”

On campus, McKay was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee as well as the Student Activities Advisory Team.

McKay hopes to become part the banking industry in the future, while using his skills in marketing and sales.

Staying busy and getting involved are integral parts of the internal makeup of Eric Mejia of Richmond, Indiana. He double-majored in business administration and in Spanish, as well as earned a certificate in international business.

Eric Mejia

Mejia served as Circle K president and as the student coordinator at the IU East Center for Service-Learning. He’s tutored, given a talk about philanthropy and taken on a dizzying number of volunteer activities.

Those activities included helping develop more efficient systems for scheduling, training and tracking IU East tutors and mentors. He helped develop career/college workshops that included “Hispanic College Night” at Richmond High School.

The new graduate’s extreme connection to IU East started quickly — even before his first class.

“As a first-generation college student, I did not have a well-rounded idea of how my college experience would turn out,” Mejia explains. “On the day of New Student Orientation … I was determined to become an active college student. Thankfully, I found (information) tables that were committed to helping students become involved on-campus and outside of campus.”

The first table to grab his attention represented the IU East Center for Service-Learning (CSL). The opportunities there, he remembers, included jobs, resume building, mentoring, “and endless memories of collaborating with great students and faculty. I enjoyed networking and stepping outside of my comfort zone to experience something new.”

He also enjoyed breaking barriers and stereotypes as a member of the Hispanic community who was an honors student at Richmond High School.

“My time at IU East has been amazing and wonderful because I was able to show my individuality, enthusiasm and build my skills. There are stereotypes for almost any ethnicity, but I did not let that keep me from getting an education. I did not drop out, give up, or commit crimes. Instead, I excelled from the influence of wonderful faculty, student mentors, and from listening to the professors’ lectures.”

Mejia draws inspiration for excellence from the sacrifices and hard work of his mother, who raised him and three siblings in a single-parent household. He is thankful for the strong encouragement of Ann Tobin, campus/community liaison for CSL.

Now, he is ready to take his educational and cultural skills — and his helpful nature — into the work world. He has accepted a full-time job with Manpower of Richmond.

He will carry great memories of IU East. “It is a great campus to attend! Every year, there was something new and interesting that I accomplished.”

Those included speaking at the Spirit of Philanthropy Luncheon as a freshman, studying in Spain for three weeks and receiving the Richard J. Wood Student Commitment Award by Indiana Campus Compact.

Tatyana Whited

Tatyana Whited of Brownsburg, Indiana, went full steam ahead from a position of great experience in creating her success story at IU East.

She had an extensive background in business intelligence development and also founded a R&D business called New World Energy, LLC, located in her hometown.

Whited already was motivated to connect with creative women such as herself — teachers and students alike — and ready “to ignite interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics in women of all ages.”

She was resolute that she could be an excellent student in the School of Business and Economics.

“Being an honors student and doing well academically at IU East became my slogan, anchor, and way to believe in myself in the most challenging endeavors,” Whited said, who has earned a degree in business administration with a minor in informatics.

Her persistence helped her get through the extremely challenging Finite Math class. “I did not sleep for a semester,” she jokingly remembers.

She believes the Honors Program “pushed the boundaries of what I thought I could accomplish. When I started at IU East, I was very nervous about doing well academically because I wasn’t a native English speaker.”

Not only did she achieve academically, she also finished with a flourish in her senior year. She organized a STEAM virtual conference, “First Midwest Regional Virtual Conference: Breaking Down Barriers and Building Bridges,” with IU East faculty Ange Cooksey, director of the Honors Program and senior lecturer in humanities, and Edwina Helton, professor of English. The conference was presented all day on Zoom in December 2020.

“The conference (not only) brought to light those women that back 50 years ago started paving the way for women into these disciplines, but it also confirmed that today we have women willing to continue this difficult task,” Whited said. “We have successors that will ensure that mentorship programs exist, that those interested in the disciplines have the support they need to become the next success stories.”

Whited definitely created her own success story at IU East. She earned the Vanguard Award, given to the senior honors thesis that displays extraordinary vision and social impact, and tied for first place in the Honors Showcase as part of Student Research Day held in April. Her presentation is available online.

One of her fondest memories from her IU East experience is a study abroad trip to China with Kristoffer Rees, associate professor of political science, and Lee Zhong, assistant professor of economics.

Whited is thankful to many. “I am forever grateful and will never forget all of my fellow students, professors, administrative staff of IU East, and my family members that provided guidance, help, and support through these years and helped me succeed on this journey,” she said.

School of Education
Darcy Catey of Hagerstown, Indiana, is graduating after 6,465 days as an IU East student – 12 years as a senior. You can hear the excitement, sense the elation, in her voice.

Darcy Catey with her husband, Brad, an IU East alumnus, and daughters Lilly and Peyton.

“It was like a dream to finish,” she said. “As crazy as it was, I did it.”

And soon, she’ll reach another dream by starting a full-time job as a special education teacher for Union County Schools. “It’s like the second part of my life. It’s a new adventure,” Catey admits.

She was 20 hours short of earning a degree before other family responsibilities took center stage in her life. She put her progress on hold at first to help husband, Brad Catey, earn his degree at IU East and then they had their first daughter, Lilly, who will be 11 soon.

Peyton came along a couple years later. Further complicating her return, a health issue forced Darcy into total bed rest throughout one of the pregnancies.

“Back then, they didn’t have online classes,” she notes. “I never wanted the kids to suffer.”

She fell in love with teaching special education while working as an assistant for seven years in the specialty in Hagerstown. She worked this school year as a long-term substitute in Centerville schools as she finished her Bachelor in General Studies with a concentration in social and behavioral science. She also earned minors in communications and special education (mild/moderate).

“I wanted to show my daughters that you are never too old to finish something that you started. This is for them,” she said.

Catey received support from her family as she finished her degrees. “My daughters would write and leave notes, be encouraging.”

She drew encouragement to start up again from Carla Bowen, student adviser and assistant to the dean, Jerry Wilde, in the School of Education. Catey said it was a great experience working with teachers in the department. “I love them all. Carla Bowen is amazing,” she said.

Catey will return to IU East in the fall 2021 semester to begin work in the Transition to Teaching graduate program. “I am determined to make a difference,” she said about working with special education students. “I am going to be their advocate. When they have a good day, I have a good day.”

She and her husband know about making a difference. They are avid sports fans and coaches in Hagerstown who helped start a softball program from the ground up. The program now has nearly 100 players in various age groups.

Aubrey Stevenson

IU East served new elementary-education graduate Aubrey Stevenson in a wide array of ways — and the positive effect was a two-way street. “It has such a great education program,” said the resident of Camden, Ohio. “It offered everything I wanted and more.”

What she wanted was to be frugal, to stay close to home, to build caring relationships and to prepare for her career as an elementary teacher.

The “more” included working directly with IU East in a part-time job with the Preble County (Economic) Development Partnership. The role that evolved out of involvement in 4H included running a career portal for both job seekers and potential employers. “One of our partners is IU East,” Stevenson explains.

She worked closely with Jason Troutwine, vice chancellor for External Affairs, and Sally Saydshoev, director of career services. “They are so passionate about IU East. I am lucky I got to work with them,” Stevenson said.

She has enjoyed the development work, but she’s thrilled to become an elementary-school teacher.

“My heart is in education. I love the kiddos,”  Stevenson said with passion. “It doesn’t matter the age, I belong in the classroom helping them grow. I’m in love with it.”

In fact, she already has accepted a full-time job that starts in late summer as a co-teacher in the Hamilton Local School District in Ohio. “I am so excited about that.”

She is working now as a long-term substitute teacher. As if she wasn’t busy and exciting enough, she also is planning her wedding with fiance, Brady South, for June 26.

IU East’s education program and its inspiring instructors fit Stevenson’s upbeat personality to a T. “Everybody wants you to succeed. The professors care so much,” she said.

She points out the help of lecturer Tommy Renfro, who also hails from western Ohio. “He would go above and beyond,” Stevenson said.  “He’s an awesome example. Any one of them would help get me to where I want to be.”

Where she wants to be is at home in Ohio, teaching schoolchildren and being a vocal ambassador for IU East and Preble County. They have “so much to offer for so many people.”

Audra deFalco

School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Audra deFalco, of Flushing, Queens (New York), graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She completed her IU East work while living abroad in Turin, Italy.

“I started at IU East in the spring of 2019. I chose to attend IU East because it is an excellent public institution with affordable tuition that would allow me to complete my bachelor’s degree while living abroad,” deFalco said.

She chose a dual major path as part of preparation for going to law school. DeFalco was named the Outstanding Student in Political Science this April.

“This degree allows an education broad enough to make me well-rounded, but also focused enough so that I would already touch on subjects important later such as criminal law, constitutional law and the like,” deFalco said. “Going to school online at IU East fully exceeded my expectations. From the support staff to my peers and to my professors, I have nothing but positive things to say about IU East.”

Her next step is to begin working on a Master of Law in Comparative Law, Economics and Finance in Turin. Then she hopes to move back to New York permanently and go to law school there.

Angely Luna Martínez found her way to IU East as the first scholarship student-athlete from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Recognized by the River States Conference as a women’s soccer scholar-athlete, Martínez is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies and Bachelor of Arts in Spanish.

Angely Luna Martinez

“It was not easy moving from a small island and leaving my family to come to Indiana and study, yet I knew it was what I wanted,” Martínez said. “My parents (Oscar Luna and Sheyla Martínez) had given everything for my dream. I have bonded with my professors, made lifelong friends, and every experience has pushed me to my potential.”

In addition to helping the soccer team win two straight RSC Championship titles, Martínez is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success at IU East, while also being involved in many activities including the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the MED-LIFE club.

Martínez was chosen for the 2021 Student-Writing Celebration and as the Outstanding Student for Spanish, while being awarded the Tom Raper Scholarship made the Dean’s List and Chancellor’s List.

“Among all of the experiences and moments at IU East, I have one that I will treasure deeply,” Martínez said of the women’s soccer team winning the RSC title in a home match. “We had our fans cheering us on. I joyfully played the 90 minutes and enjoyed being on the field with my teammates.”

In the future, Martínez plans to attend law school. She aspires to be an advocate for Puerto Rico and minorities in the United States.

With writing always her favorite subject in school, Kari Mynhier transferred to IU East in 2018 to take advantage of the university’s fully online English program. “I was working as a live-in nanny at the time,” she said, so pursuing her English major online was a great option. She graduated with a concentration in Technical and Professional Writing and a minor in Spanish.

Kari Mynhier

Her passion is creative writing, something she says she’s done almost since birth. “In middle to high school, I continued writing on my own, online. She publishes her own novels under her pen name, Kari Lynn M. “I’m also going to use my degree in Technical and Professional Writing to produce blogs, websites and articles online for business clients.”

The native of northeastern Indiana also writes poetry. She currently lives in the Fort Wayne area, where she enjoys the country life and an occasional white chocolate truffle. “I plan to continue writing creatively and for business as well. My degree definitely helped me hone both of these skills.”

While getting his dual degree in History and Informatics, Calen Crumpton of Connersville also worked as a 911 dispatcher in his hometown. “I always knew that I liked history. However, it was when I took a survey course for general education requirements that I learned exactly what the professors do – which is when I decided I want to be a historian – it also gives me a good excuse to buy history books en masse.”

Crumpton enjoyed attending a university where several of his high school friends were also enrolled. “These were friendships that were maintained. This is special to me, as many people never maintain their high school friendships. IU East gave me that chance.”

Calen Crumpton

His immediate plans are to continue his full-time work as a dispatcher and apply to graduate programs for history. “I think my time at IU East prepared me exceedingly well. The opportunities that IU East has given me in terms of awards, positions and the support I have received have resulted in a surprisingly full undergraduate resume for which I am ever grateful.”

School of Science and Mathematics
Brooke Conway of Noblesville, Indiana, has known since middle school that she wanted to become a physical therapist. When considering attending IU East, Conway said there were several factors involved that guided her decision, including an affordable Indiana University degree that would prepare her for graduate school.

Her older sister, Haley Conway, was attending IU East and played women’s basketball for the Red Wolves. She liked the idea of being close to family while attending college. Haley Conway is also graduating this year with her Bachelor of Science in Education.

Brooke Conway

“Another factor was that I knew I wanted to play college soccer, and IU East was just starting up a new program,” Conway said.

Becoming a Red Wolf was pretty much destiny at that point.

Conway joined the inaugural women’s soccer team as a freshman in 2017. She is one of 10 senior players from the inaugural team graduating this year. She served as the team’s captain during the 2019 and 2020-21 seasons. And to cap it off, the team won its second River States Conference Championship title, sending the Red Wolves on to its second NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round.

She will receive a Bachelor of Science in Human Life Science and a minor in exercise science. The academics, and serving as a mentor with the Math and Science Resource Center, prepared her for graduate work.

“Not only did IU East offer these classes but the professors challenged me to excel in these classes and go beyond the surface level of the material,” Conway said. “In completing my exercise science minor, I also got observational experience in my future field of physical therapy, which helped me to know what to expect when I go to do clinicals during graduate school.”

As an Honors Program student, Conway completed a research project, “The Benefits of Pickleball for Older Adults,” for her senior thesis and virtually presented on Student Research Day. It’s a project that she is most proud of, and it prepared her for research and writing for a graduate program.

When thinking back on her IU East experience, she says there is much to remember about the sense of community, and the relationships built through athletics and classes. She’ll remember the women’s soccer team, the success the young program built, and back-to-back conference championships in 2019 and 2020-21. IU East is a place where student-athletes can pursue their dreams of play collegiate sports without sacrificing learning, she added.

“One of the things I think I will remember most are the many hours I spent with my peers studying for our O-Chem (organic chemistry) exams, where we bonded through the struggles of college life and ate way too many snacks,” Conway said. “I will definitely remember the great community that IU East has and all of the faculty who helped me get to where I am now! IU East is a community that wants nothing more but to see their students succeed and thrive and will do everything in their power to make that happen.”

Just after graduation Conway begins her next endeavor. On May 24th she starts a three-year program to earn her Doctoral in Physical Therapy at Indiana State University.

Zackery Honeycutt

Zachery Honeycutt of Richmond, Indiana, will one day be a dentist. As part of that goal, he sought a college that would provide the academic program to best prepare him for graduate work while keeping his debt low. IU East fit his objectives for college. Honeycutt knew he wanted to be in the medical field, so he initially majored in biology.

“But around my sophomore year I decided to go for a biochemistry degree instead since this degree had a more challenging curriculum, which I thought graduate schools would favor over a biology degree,” Honeycutt said. “I think my educational experiences, both in the classroom and outside of it, at IU East has provided me with a strong foundation in which I can grow from in graduate school. I have met a lot of great professors and advisors that have given me advice over the years and helped develop me into being the best student and person I can be for graduate school and life in general.”

Outside of academics, Honeycutt has worked with the Office of External Affairs for four years. He is an Admissions Ambassador, and recently provided a campus tour for IU President-elect Pamela Whitten when she visited campus. He is a member of the Pre Professionals Club and the Tri Beta National Honors Society, serving as the vice president as a junior and president this year. Also this year, he is part of the student staff overseeing the COVID-19 mitigation testing at IU East.

Campus involvement, he says, provides an opportunity to learn new skills to benefit him at dental school.

“I have enjoyed the friendships and relationships I have made at IU East the most with my time as an undergraduate,” Honeycutt said. “I have met a lot of great people and formed some amazing connections over my years as a student that I believe will serve me well in the future. I have also enjoyed the small and personal feel that is very unique to IU East.”

Honeycutt is admitted to the Indiana University School of Dentistry. He plans to graduate from the program in 2025. “I one day hope to own my own practice, potentially right back in Richmond, Indiana, where I obtained my undergraduate degree,” Honeycutt said.

School of Nursing and Health Sciences
This year’s Nightingale Award recipients are Raven Cline of West Alexandria, Ohio, and Mydgie Pierre-Louis of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Nightingale Award is given to the student/students who demonstrate the attributes, knowledge, clinical skill and professionalism consistent with that professional nursing.

Raven Cline of West Alexandria, Ohio, is part of the nursing class of 2021 (she is in the second row in the gray shirt).

Cline and Pierre-Louis will both receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Cline chose IU East in 2017 because it felt like home, and it was close to her home in western Ohio. “It wasn’t a huge campus but everyone still had fun things to do, and got to know you – which was important to me,” she said.

Cline had always known she wanted to go into healthcare, and narrowed in on nursing in her first semester, switching from biology. “Nursing felt like the right path for me to take. Throughout nursing school, the professors have been so helpful with providing experiences in clinical for us nursing students to get as much experience as possible.”

She was active in the Student Government Association (SGA), National Student Nurses Association (NSNA), and served as a mentor for new nursing students. One of the best experiences is being chosen by faculty to receive the Nightingale award at the Senior Celebration. It was special to her because of her great respect for the faculty that chose her. “It showed how far I have come,” she said.

Cline will be working at Sycamore Hospital in Ohio in a step-down cardiac ICU/Stroke Unit. “The nursing program at IU East has prepared me in a lot of ways for being a new nurse. They not only worked important skills that we will need to know but they also prepared us on communication with other healthcare professionals, patients, and patient’s families. They worked with us on critical situations in our simulation lab to allow us a safe place to become more confident in our abilities as future nurses.”

Pierre-Louis, who now lives in Fort Wayne, was drawn to seeking a nursing degree because of a passion to help others in need.

Mydgie Pierre-Louis

“I learned that people in different parts of the world – including the United States – do not have proper access to healthcare, which can negatively affect life expectancy.” Becoming a nurse will allow the New York native to participate in community health education, health screening and improved communication to underserved populations.

She was honored to receive the Nightingale award. She plans to study for her licensing boards to become an RN, B.S.N., and then seek work for “a healthcare organization that provides quality community-based care, possesses diversity, and practices healthcare using non-discriminatory practices.”

While in school at IU East, Pierre-Louis most enjoyed working with Indiana Kids, a collaboration between IU and Serve Indiana providing academic tutoring, mentoring, and workshops for students statewide in grades 6-12.

“My best memory was being able to help the young students I tutored to better understand subjects that were difficult to them,” Pierre-Louis said “When the students would return for the next session, they would often tell me they performed better on their tests and homework. Seeing my students more confident in their abilities and excited to learn was my best memory.”

Brooke Perreira of Greenville, Ohio, may be on her way to a career as an advanced cardiac/ICU nurse after graduating from Indiana University East, but she will leave quite an imprint on campus.

Brooke Perreira

Part of the Honors Program, Perreira was also a student-athlete who spent a lot of time running with the cross country and track teams. Recently, she presented her honors senior thesis, Calamityville, as part of Student Research Day.

“Being an athlete and going through nursing school has been one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced so far, but I wouldn’t change it for anything,” Perreira said. “I learned just how resilient I was and if I had chosen otherwise, I would have missed out on some incredible experiences. I’m so honored to have been a Red Wolf.”

A team captain, Perreira was also the representative for the women’s cross country squad on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

Perreira was part of the indoor 3,200-meter relay team that earned All-River States Conference honors in 2019, while establishing the current school record in the event. She also once set the school standard in the outdoor mile and was a member of the RSC All-Conference Scholar Team and a RSC Champions of Character recipient.

School of Social Work
Elena Jennings of Liberty, Indiana, decided to attend IU East was based on staying close to family and friends, small class sizes that provided personal connections with faculty and other students, and she felt the campus values students. She received a scholarship that provided her with financial stability while earning her degree. And she’s really enjoyed all the free t-shirts too, she joked.

Elena Jennings

Her decision also confirmed that she was meant to be a social worker.

“Throughout high school, I went back and forth about the idea of becoming a social worker. Social work seemed to be a profession that aligned with my personal goals and I felt really passionate about helping the people that society tends to cast aside,” Jennings said. “However, I always heard that the pay was too low, or that it was too emotionally draining, so I entered college as an undecided major.”

During her freshman year Jennings took several sociology courses “that I absolutely loved.” The courses helped her to determine social work really was her passion.

“I knew that if I chose to listen to any of the negative things that others had to say about social work and choose a different major, I would always regret my decision. Today, there is zero doubt in my mind that social work is where I belong,” Jennings said.

The time Jennings has spent in the social work program have been her most enjoyable, and has provided close connections with others in her cohort that she looks forward to for years to come.

“We have supported each other through hard times and celebrated each other’s successes. I enjoyed learning from great professors that encouraged me to look within myself and grow so much as a person and as a social worker. This was not always easy, but the lessons I learned throughout the process are invaluable and will have a lasting impact on my life,” she said.

In all, she feels her time at IU East has prepared her to reach her goals as well as the humanity of social workers. She has learned to see others, and herself more clearly, and to view others from a different perspective, to meet her future clients where they are at personally, and “to see their strengths above all else.”

“I have been taught how to empathize with people, no matter where they are coming from or what their life has been like. Most importantly, I have learned how to advocate for and empower those who are facing challenges,” Jennings said.

In April, she received the Chancellor’s Scholar Award for the School of Social Work, presented to the highest achieving seniors by academic school.

Jennings, though disappointed family and friends will not be able to attend the Commencement Ceremony with her in person, plans to attend the on-campus event. “I decided I am still attending because even if others can’t cheer me on, I am so proud of myself for working so hard and accomplishing something so great.”

Her intuition to follow her heart, and passion, to become a social worker has become reality. Jennings accepted a position with the Children’s Bureau, and will support and strengthen families in Wayne County, she said. She is also planning to attend graduate school to earn a Master of Social Work.

Courtney Pillow of Greenfield, Indiana, transferred from Ivy Tech Community College to complete her four-year degree in social work. The classes aligned with her busy schedule, and allowed her to continue working while she completed her Bachelor of Social Work.

Courtney Pillow

While completing her degree, Pillow has worked as a substitute teacher, and she continued working in the recovery field. And she completed her practicum at the Children’s Bureau.

The affordability and the class sizes also appealed to her. Through her studies, she found the program offered her an opportunity to develop close relationships with others in her cohort and to learn from professors who truly cared about their students, she said.

“I feel that part of me always knew social work was what I wanted to do, but after working in the field, and looking at other majors, I saw how much social work had to offer, and it gives you wiggle room because you can use the degree in many ways,” Pillow said.

Her classes prepared and challenged her, helped her to grow as she gained skills and tools needed for a social worker in the field, all while meeting her goals.

She also gained confidence.

“Beyond the skills and tools learned, I learned most about myself. I learned how important self-care was, I became comfortable asking for help when I needed it, I learned how to challenge my own personal biases, and I learned how to accept people where they are.”

This spring, Pillow received the Outstanding Student in Social Work award given to individuals in their degree programs who displayed outstanding academic achievement at IU East.

As a graduate, she encourages anyone considering IU East and future students to not let their fears get in their way, to be open to getting to know other people and to see what they bring to the table, to take ownership of their education and not to be afraid to ask for help.

“Looking back on my time at IU East I think what I will remember most is how much personal growth I had,” Pillow said. “I have always heard that people find themselves in college, but I thought that was only relevant to college students right out of high school. For me, I am 29 with my own family, a house, and a job. I came to school to get a degree and to find a career, you know, the technical stuff, but I am leaving a different person.”

Pillow recently accepted a position as a school-based case worker with Adult & Child Services. “My hope is to gain some additional experience in the field and eventually explore options for getting for my master’s degree.”