When Jacey Collins ’18 first arrived in Chicago in the fall of 2018, she realized
how the faculty and academics at Southwest Baptist University prepared her for the
rigors of graduate school as she pursued her master’s degree in clinical mental health
counseling.
“The SBU psychology department prepared me well for my time at Wheaton College graduate school,” said Jacey, who earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with minors in counseling and intercultural studies, and now works as a mental health counselor at Lakeland Behavioral Health System. “Going into grad school, I already knew how to do research, provide basic counseling skills, write in APA (American Psychological Association) formatting and think critically about psychology.
“I felt way ahead of my peers because I was exposed to clinical counseling theories and practices in my undergraduate studies.”
Jacey credits that preparation to the investment the SBU faculty placed in her both as a student and as a person.
“Dr. Chris Dinwiddie, Dr. Bill DuVall and Dr. Shelley Kilpatrick invested in me both academically and personally during my time at SBU,” Jacey said. “During my junior and senior year, I was going through a difficult time and they were always supportive and understanding. I knew that I could go to them if I was struggling with a concept in class, existential question, or anxiety about grad school applications.
“Bolivar may be a small town, but my professors inspired me to think big and not feel tied down to conventional thinking and living.”
Another great tool in Jacey’s preparation was being a member of the SBU women’s golf team all four years.
“It taught me time-management skills and personal responsibility,” Jacey said. “Because of my busy schedule, I learned the importance of taking a sabbath to rest and recharge. This served me well in the chaos that is graduate school.”
Even through the personal challenges she faced, Jacey said she grew deeper in her faith while at SBU.
“I was surrounded by caring, strong Christians who never ceased to encourage me in my faith,” Jacey said. “The uniqueness of SBU lies in the professors who invest their time in students who live out their faith in community with others.
“SBU afforded me the opportunity to consider why I believe the things I do and how I want to be a citizen of the world. It provided me a safe haven to explore my faith and cultivate curiosity about the world.”