Katie Abney '05

Hometown: Frederick, MD
Majors: Psychology, English

"To me, a Guilford College education means receiving the support you need to accomplish all of your goals."

This year, one of my psychology professors introduced me to a family who was looking for a college student to work with their six-year-old autistic son. For the past six months, I have been working with their son as a one-on-one ABA Therapist. This has truly been an experience that has changed my life and altered my goals for my future career path. I hope to one day become a doctor of Applied Behavioral Science, and to work exclusively with autistic children. Of course, my education here at Guilford is a major factor in my being able to achieve this, but I believe that the biggest factor is the experiences I have undergone as a result of my professor's interest in me.

I have always wanted to study subjects in college that could lead to work with special needs children. As a freshman, I was drawn to both the psychology and English departments, here at Guilford, because of two very special professors from each of those departments. Those professors supported me through the trials and tribulations of being a first-year student and convinced me that the psychology and English departments were the way for me to go.

The opportunities that Guilford has allotted me, from the experience of a tremendous education, to the ability to work on campus in the Office of Student Activities, to the friendships that I have made here, have given me the confidence to reach my goals and have carried me to where I am now. I am grateful that Guilford is the type of community that fosters growth among its students and endeavors to create a positive environment and experiences for everyone.

Just during the short time I have been here, Guilford has also taught me many valuable lessons, which have provided me with a better self-awareness and the confidence to achieve my goals. But I think that the most valuable lesson is that we never stop learning and that we have to remain open and tolerant of change in order to become the best that we can be.

My advice to students just beginning their college journey would be to remember that just like life, Guilford is what you make of it. It is difficult to leave home for the first time in your life as an incoming freshman. I know that the transition was difficult for me. Being a freshman in college isn't easy, but I know that I am happy with the choice I made to come to Guilford. I feel that the Guilford community provided me with an opportunity for growth that I would not have received at any other school, and I am grateful for it.