BlavinScholars.org: What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Arisbeth: I will be receiving a BA in International Affairs

BlavinScholars.org: What awards or honors have you received while at NAU?

Arisbeth: The Gold Axe Award and Deans List

BlavinScholars.org: What is your major and what inspired you to pursue that particular major?

Arisbeth: I love history, culture, politics, and religion and International Affairs has all that plus depending on what you do you get the chance to travel

BlavinScholars.org: What are your short-term goals for after graduation?

Arisbeth: Find a job in human rights or something related to my field

BlavinScholars.org: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Arisbeth: I see myself working abroad for an international organization

BlavinScholars.org: How have you grown as a person since first entering college?

Arisbeth: I’ve learned to take life one step at a time and not overthink about everything

BlavinScholars.org: What excites you most about your future?

Arisbeth: The ability to have an impact in someone’s life and be someone’s role model

BlavinScholars.org: What advice about higher education and life, in general, would you give to high school students who have experienced foster care?

Arisbeth: To not give up, there are a lot of people out there that want to help you. If you take the time and put effort in finding scholarships you will find them, it just takes patience.

BlavinScholars.org: What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Arisbeth: Take advantage of the help the program offers. They really want to help you out.

BlavinScholars.org: What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Arisbeth: It helps to have other people that have somewhat been through the same thing, it gives you comfort. The Blavin program gave me a lot of professional skills, which has prepared me for the real life after graduation.

BlavinScholars.org: What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Lov’e: Bachelor of Social Work, minor in Psychology and Sociology

BlavinScholars.org: What awards or honors have you received while at NAU?

Lov’e: I received the Gold Axe and distinguished seniors award, made the Dean’s List each semester, and I also received the Citizenship Award in the NAU STAR Program. This award is for working hard in the English 110 class, providing thoughtful analysis of readings and being a team player by helping other students also understand the work.

BlavinScholars.org: What is your major and what inspired you to pursue that particular major?

Lov’e: I chose to major in social work because I was determined to become the social worker I never had. I want to dedicate my time on not only making sure our foster youth’s present needs are being met, but also their future is bright after they leave the foster care system. Our foster care system has good intentions, but at the end of the day it’s the actions that define the punishment in court. What I mean by this is the foster care system means well but the actions they take sometimes cause more damage to foster youth. I cannot work directly with our youth but I hope to make an impact at the Macro level by doing things such as making sure the voice of the people who are receiving services. When only lawmakers who have benefited for the most part with the social norms, and values that exist, create laws, and services for the people who are falling behind, people suffer. Without close proximity, we will not know the root of the problem.

BlavinScholars.org: What are your short-term goals for after graduation?

Lov’e: After I graduate in May I plan on taking a year break from school and spend time improving in ways that are not measured by a grade scale. This break will allow me to gain experience in the workforce and make and save money.

BlavinScholars.org: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Lov’e: I plan on applying to my top 10 choice social work schools (Washington University, University (ST. Louis, MO, University of California- Berkeley, University of Washington Seattle, WA) for my Masters before my one year break ends, and I’ll probably go to whatever school that offers me the best deal. I do not know exactly what Masters field I want to work in, but I have many interests such as social workers in the medical field, healthcare social worker, community program administration, foster-adoptive care coordinator, child behavior specialist, family resource specialist, professional school counselor, school-based therapist, marriage and family therapist, or working in immigration services. I do not know exactly where I’ll be in 5 years but I know I’ll be working in a state that appreciates their social workers. Lastly, I will be driving in style with a new vehicle.

BlavinScholars.org: How have you grown as a person since first entering college?

Lov’e: I’ve grown tremendously from freshman year to my last semester in undergrad. I’ve always been afraid of getting involved in things I have no knowledge on, but college has encouraged me to immerse myself in things that may be foreign to me. My experience and struggles in college have proved to me that there are many quality components to becoming successful aside from having a high IQ. Traits such as being open-minded, hungry to succeed, having perseverance to succeed during hard times, emotional intelligence, being motivated, and working on consistency has helped me get to where I am now and I know it will help me get to my desired goals in life. 

BlavinScholars.org: What excites you most about your future?

Lov’e: I’m excited to take a break from school and spend time improving in ways that are not measured by a grade scale. I don’t have specifics things I’m looking forward to but I’m excited to have a career instead of a job and to have a stable home I can call my own. I’m excited to make money rain.

BlavinScholars.org: What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Lov’e: My advice to our incoming foster care scholars would be to involve themselves with people that bring out the best parts of them. Some of our past can make our future to succeed very fragile so it is good to have a support system when it feels like the world is collapsing.

I encourage them to be involved on campus as much as possible but not go past our abilities. They want to be able to enjoy the clubs/activities they’re involved in instead of feeling like they have one foot in and the other one out because they will not be able to enjoy anything.

I also encourage our incoming scholars to be hard workers and to take it easy and participate in self-care. One assignment will not break or make us.

Your biggest advocate is yourself so let yourself be heard. Lastly, always pick your battles wisely. 

BlavinScholars.org: What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Lov’e: The best part about the Blavin Scholars program is our cheerleading community that wants to see you succeed. Use the community we have to enrich your college experience. Appreciate our Blavin community and show that their contribution to this program will not go in vain. Lastly, their experience outcome is based on contribution to the program.

Welcome to our Blavin family

You’re going to slay your undergrad

BlavinScholars.org: What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Jessica: I will be receiving a Bachelors in Social Work (BSW)

BlavinScholars.org: What awards or honors have you received while at NAU?

Jessica: Blavin Scholars Association Exec. Board, Member of National Society of  Leadership and Success, Golden Axe Recipient (Awarded to 1% of graduating seniors), Nominated member of inaugural Presidential Leadership Fellows at NAU, Dean’s List: Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019.

BlavinScholars.org: What is your major and what inspired you to pursue that particular major?

Jessica: I came in to NAU as a psychology student with an intent to become a counselor. But I switched to social work when I learned about all of the ways that the profession advocates for marginalized communities. My BSW is also a stepping stone to become a licensed clinical social worker who that can practice therapy independently!!

BlavinScholars.org: What are your short-term goals for after graduation?

Jessica: I was accepted into NAUs Advanced Standing Master of Social Work online, which starts 2 days after my bachelors graduation. My goal is to make it though that degree!

BlavinScholars.org: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Jessica: I see myself as an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) working as a therapist and/or participating in advocacy efforts in the state!

BlavinScholars.org: How have you grown as a person since first entering college?

Jessica: I think that the change I see in myself as an incoming freshman to a incoming graduate student is astronomical. It’s night and day. College gave me the change to feel empowered in the professional and personal decisions I made. It gave me mentors and friends who became family. I wouldn’t change this experience for the world.

BlavinScholars.org: What excites you most about your future?

Jessica: The unknown! I feel that my future has so many possible paths, and I’m excited to see where I go.

BlavinScholars.org: What advice about higher education and life, in general, would you give to high school students who have experienced foster care?

Jessica: Be yourself. Let the small things go. And focus on your own personal journey!

BlavinScholars.org: What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Jessica: This program has changed my life, and I have SO much faith it can do the same for you. You get what you put in, but I hope you choose to take the program full on, because you have so much potential and so much to gain.

BlavinScholars.org: What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Jessica: You’ve got to let people into your life!! Because there are so many people in this community that care about your success and want to see the best for you!

What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Everritt: A degree in Architecture

What excites you most about your future?

Everritt: I’m excited about the possibility to make new things and have a lasting impact in the world.

What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Everritt: Work hard, but be sure to enjoy things outside of the classroom. You’re at a great university with a lot to offer. Go to Blavin events, attend football games and take it all in.

What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Everritt: Whether you access it often or not, a good support system gives you the confidence to do whatever it is that you feel compelled to do.

What degree(s) will you be receiving this spring?

Cydney: A degree in Psychology and a minor in Medical Anthropology

What excites you most about your future?

Cydney: Not knowing what’s going to happen.

What advice would you offer to incoming Blavin Scholars?

Cydney: Get to know the other scholars and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

What’s your biggest takeaway from your experience as a Blavin Scholar?

Cydney: Experiencing foster care doesn’t have to be an obstacle and stop you from pursuing your dreams.