Katelyn Brown bonded with service-learning while she was pursuing her dreams.

Katelyn Brown, D.D.S.

Through helping young students realize theirs.

Through helping with community needs.

Through promoting service-learning.

And that strong bond has been a blessing for Indiana University East: Ann Tobin is the passionate service-learning liaison between students and community needs. Brown is the consummate model for the Center for Service-Learning. She is a biochemistry and Spanish graduate who recently returned to Richmond as a dentist — and is ready to help the university and the community again.

“College is not just for classes. It’s also about getting involved,” Brown believes.

That involvement could include tutoring or mentoring K-12 students through service-learning. It could include inspiring young boys and girls or helping to bridge the gaps between residents who speak English as a second language.

“A number of community organizations and schools come to the Center for Service-Learning requesting help from our students,” Tobin said.

Frankly,  there is no shortage of potential service-learning projects for IU East students. “I couldn’t list all of the services,” Tobin jokes.

One question she repeatedly has heard is: “Can you help our ESL students?”

Brown discovered a passion as a volunteer for reaching people who speak English as a second language.  She chose to continue Spanish at IU East to address that language gap.

“The part I enjoy is working with children,” Brown said.

In that regard, she helped the Center for Service-Learning start a K-12 tutoring program for the community.

Her first service-learning experience was at Girls Inc. of Wayne County. According to the program’s web site, it is designed for girls in grades one through eight.: “(It) delivers nine core programs that inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold.”

Brown will soon take on another educational and inspirational role — as keynote speaker in an online forum titled “Pathways to a Bright Future.”

Other IU East leaders will also provide information and inspiration for prospective students during the event on Zoom that is scheduled from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 11.

The target groups are middle school and high school students and their parents, but anyone is encouraged to attend.

“This workshop is to motivate them toward their goals … to realize their dreams,” Tobin said.

Brown approached Tobin about helping out soon after starting as a student at IU East. The Greenville, Ohio, native had a gap in classes on Tuesdays and Thursday.

Well, ask and you shall receive.

Brown did hundreds of hours of service-learning work through her undergraduate years.

She found that many Spanish-speaking people were having hard times getting connected.

Language was a definite barrier. She found that students were facing challenges in daily activities. Spanish-speaking people often have hard times accessing health care or being able to talk to doctors and nurses.

Brown knew she could help by learning to speak Spanish, but it wasn’t easy for her at first: “I was really bad at it,” she jokes. “Now, I am technically fluent. I can get by.”

She found an underserved community of parents and students who thirsted for communications and understanding. “They are grateful … These kids are amazing,” Brown said. “Speaking Spanish is an asset, not a liability”

Being bilingual is considered a definite asset in her new job as an associate dentist in the dental office of Jesse Wood, D.D.S., at 1717 Chester Blvd. in Richmond. She joined the office in July 2020 after earning her doctorate from the IU School of Dentistry.

Conveniently, Brown’s workplace is only six blocks from campus. “I always wanted to be back here,” she said. “The community connections make you want to come back.”

She also enjoys being in a smaller town that has rural roots, more like Greenville, Ohio, than Indianapolis.

Her positive service-learning history makes her want to inspire others to use IU East as a springboard to success.

“I am excited to be involved,” Brown said about being the keynote speaker for “Pathways to a Bright Future.”

“Pathways to a Bright Future” featured speakers include:

• Katelyn Brown, D.D.S., will talk about her dream of becoming a dentist, her path from high school to IU East, to the IU School of Dentistry, and to her career in Richmond.
• Rachel Page, assistant director of Admissions, will focus on the many majors at IU East and preparation for careers that students have as goals as well as what Admissions looks for in a prospective student.
• Brittney Chesher, associate director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at IU East, will talk about ways to pay for college and answer questions.
• Kate Marling, 21st Century Scholar specialist, will present an overview of 21st Century Scholars and provide valuable resources.
• Liz Ferris, associate director of Student Success, will talk about the student support that is available, including tutoring and mentoring, and about the transition from high school to college and college to career.