I am a Hays native but have moved to several different towns and cities. I have been in the mental health field for over ten years and have maintained roles as a clinician, researcher, administrator, and educator. I enjoy challenges and being placed in high-intensity, crisis management-type situations, and I have found the perfect work setting to fulfill those interests. My significant other and I have a family of 5 with two sons and a daughter. We are a sports family and often drive around Kansas for football and basketball games. I am an avid reader and enjoy spending some wind-down time at the end of the day immersing myself in psychological thriller books. I have been obsessed with shoes my whole life and will, hands down, choose to eat at Chipotle anytime someone asks me where to eat. I hope to one day own a Mini Cooper!
What do you now do for a living? How did you end up choosing this career path?
In August 2023, I was appointed Superintendent at Larned State Hospital (LSH). LSH is the largest state psychiatric hospital in Kansas, which encompasses three different programs. I pursued an education in psychology at FHSU due to my interest in human behavior. I advanced my career further with graduate education and began seeking roles in e clinical, research, administrative, and academic areas. I have chosen to work with individuals in this population throughout my career. I have found the connection between the criminal justice system and psychology fascinating, complex, and challenging. LSH is a complex psychiatric hospital providing many opportunities for overcoming challenges, critical thinking, and collaborating with pertinent stakeholders across the state to care for citizens’ mental health.
Why did you choose to attend FHSU?
I am originally from Hays, Kansas, so it seemed logical to remain close to home, gain my initial degree, and be close to my family. My younger sisters and I sought some of our education at FHSU, and we all work at FHSU in some capacity today. My significant other also attended FHSU for his education. This university has played a significant role in my life and upbringing.
What are your favorite memories from your time as a student?
I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in three years, so I was a dedicated and focused student, along with being an active worker. I worked both on campus at FHSU and at Applebee’s throughout my undergraduate years and remember many nights of being slammed after 9 p.m. for half-price apps when the college students came out to eat. I met a lot of people at FHSU in that job, and it really helped me come out of my shell and be more social.
What advice do you have for current or prospective FHSU students?
It’s never too late to be what you could have been. There’s a lot of opportunity in this world, and sometimes you may need more time to put together and figured out coming straight out of high school. Sometimes, life will throw you curve balls and delay you in achieving your goals. Avoid throwing in the towel or letting the unknown scare you. You can do far more than you credit yourself for, so never hesitate to pursue something big and scary! Education is a building block toward achieving different life goals beyond just your career, so remember how higher education can help develop you as a person.
Tell us about someone at FHSU who has left a lasting impression:
I’m not sure if she knows it or not, but Gina Smith is the reason I pursued more education and a career in mental health. I had her for General Psychology, and she did a fantastic job not only teaching the concepts but also connecting them to real life experiences she had in her practice. She is what inspired me to pursue higher education so I could carry out the clinical role in mental health, and from there, I just grew and flourished in the field. I have mentioned this to many people, but I am not sure that I have ever directly told her just how impactful she was to me when I was 18 years old, sitting in her classroom.
In what ways are you proud to be a Tiger?
I am proud of how far FHSU has come since I was a student and when my extended family members were college students there. It is a beautiful campus with some fantastic staff and faculty that I have had the pleasure to work with in different capacities. It has certainly had a presence in my life, and I hope that my children consider FHSU as one of their universities of interest when they reach that stage of their lives.