Meet the UIndy Class of 2017!

Carly Nicholson, Earth-space science. Nicholson will pursue her master's in public affairs and environmental science at IU Bloomington. "I had a professor, Dr. Brad Neal in chemistry, who told me if you’re not learning something new about yourself every single day, you’re not doing college right. I took that to heart. Now I’m confident in who I am. I’m passionately unafraid to say that.”

Erica White, English literary studies and creative writing. White will be teaching in Latvia for the 2017-18 school year on a Fulbright Teaching Assistantship. "That anyone can visit the English Department and have a conversation with a professor or faculty on a person-to-person level is great for networking and learning from those with more experience."

Jonah Meier, Exercise science. Meier will pursue his doctorate in physical therapy at UIndy starting in fall 2017. "I served as the treasurer and president throughout my time here. It taught me much about leadership and how to be organized. It also helped me form many connections that prepared me for my PT school application process."

Mikail Bashir, Organizational leadership. Bashir will pursue his master's in management at UIndy. Currently works at UIndy Physical Plant. "The course contents and the professors with their wealth of knowledge alongside the entire environment has impacted me in the most incisive way. Resilience is the word. Never, ever, give up!"

Gracynn Jennings, Psychology with minor in digital photography. Jennings will pursue her master’s in forensic psychology. “I've had this dream of becoming a forensic psychologist for a long time and even though I was unsure at times of what I wanted to do with my life, I always came back to what I had dreamt about. No dream is too big to reach.”

Brian Bakemeyer (center), Art therapy with minor in psychology. Bakemeyer and Alexandria Bishop (left, pre-art therapy with an aging studies concentration) shared the 2017 Outstanding Service Learning Undergraduate Student Award. Bakemeyer: "I feel that being able to go to a site and do hands-on work within your field of your career is better than any class you can take." Bishop: "Not only has this opened my eyes to what my future career might be like, it has lit a fire in me to always be a service-minded individual."

Ajarae Underwood, Organizational leadership with a minor in psychology. "You have to be intentional about your experiences to truly get the most out of them - don't just let the experience happen to you. Help create and perpetuate it!"

Aaron Taylor, Religion. Taylor will work full-time at Epworth United Methodist Church as the Director of Family Ministries with the goal of becoming an ordained pastor. “I came to UIndy as a religion and theatre major. I learned that I loved theology and did ministry on campus for three years working with the chapel, then decided it was time to do actual church work.”

Sam Daggy, Accounting CPA and finance. He will take a position with Dauby O'Connor and Zaleski, LLC in December 2017. “I was a competitor on the football team from 2013-2016. Athletics challenged my college experience but also enhanced it. I was also an accounting tutor for the School of Business. I was able to experience firsthand the rewards of teaching, and empowering other students.”

Gina Petty, Organizational leadership with a minor in business administration. Operations manager of patient transportation for IU Health. “You are never too old to learn or to return to school. I started this journey with my husband, and we will graduate together on May 6, 2017.”

Evan Wilks, Communication with emphasis in sports information; creative writing minor. Wilks was operations manager for WICR-FM, which won first place in a national competition for its November 2016 election night coverage. "The focus on developing yourself as a future professional allowed me to deliver election coverage results with ease because I had been placed in time-sensitive situations before and excelled."

Reagan Van Cleave, Communication with emphasis in public relations. “Top Dog Communication has not only given me the platform to learn the skills I will need in this field, but has also given me the opportunity to lead. Through that leadership I was given the freedom to change the program in a way to help both our students and our clients.”

Sarah Al-Jabbari, Accounting. Al-Jabbari runs her own consultation business and is working towards her CPA. She will join Ernst and Young in July 2017. “The professors at UIndy don’t just mentor you. They actually give you all their experience and they teach you what to do. They guide you the right way.”