In 2013, I finally came back. There were many credits from 2007, but at the time I was unsure about what I was doing in college.
Lawyer? Teacher? Math? Undecided? I took some time, discovered myself more, and returned ... in psychology ... because I was pressured to graduate by parents, peers, and even acquaintances. I enjoyed my classes, did well, and made some enduring friendships.
At the beginning of my senior year, I decided I wanted to get a graduate degree so I began applying to be a research assistant. This unfruitful process left me frustrated, defeated, and anxious. Fast forward to four weeks pre-graduation, and I am sitting in Dr. Kevin Rand's office voicing dissonance between where I wanted to be and where I was. Empathetically he listened and said, "Well, join my lab." *Insert pause and my agitated facial expression.* "But I graduate in 4 weeks." Before I could control myself, it just came out. He explained that was fine, and I could just "hang around." So I did.
The people at IUPUI are inclusive, caring, and collaborative, making our community strong.
Anne Borden, Class of 2015 and 2019
I took a gap year and through 2016, I attended lab meetings, ran participants, and worked a part-time job. Finally, I applied to what was then the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management, now the School of Health & Human Sciences, and was accepted into the Clinical Kinesiology MS program with support from Dr. Anthony Kaleth.
Since then, I have been supported to combine my interests in psychology and kinesiology by writing my thesis with Dr. Keith Naugle as an interdisciplinary concept. I continue to work with Dr. Rand, as well as Dr. Leslie Ashburn-Nardo, to gain experiences in all the aspects that make me feel purpose and alive. Dr. Zachary Riley and Dr. Kaleth have advocated for me from the beginning of this discipline transition and made sure that my education was unique and supported my goals.
What I had perceived as a failure for so long, taking 10 years to get a four-year degree, has turned into a beautiful journey. I thought I was an academic black sheep, but I've learned that some have a unique road through education. The people at IUPUI are inclusive, caring, and collaborative, making our community strong. Dr. Rand launched my life on an entirely new (and much better) trajectory. Now I have an entire tribe of professors, mentors, and colleagues that champion achievement and advocate my authentic self.
Story courtesy of:
Anne Borden
Class of 2015 and 2019
