Katie graduated summa cum laude from The Catholic University of America in May 2018 with a major in Psychology and minors in Theology and Philosophy. Katie now works full time as a research assistant at Uniformed Services University’s Center for Study of Traumatic Stress in Bethesda, MD, where she contributes to research projects aimed at reducing rates of suicide and post-traumatic stress among service members. She is currently in the process of applying to clinical psychology Ph.D. programs.
How did Kellenberg prepare you for success in college and in your career?
Kellenberg prepared me in innumerable ways for both my role as a student and as a young professional. On a more basic level, my time at Kellenberg not only taught me how to study but also how to express what I had learned. Kellenberg gave me an exceptionally strong foundation in writing, a skill to which I attribute much of my academic and professional success. This foundation especially prepared me for one of my favorite activities at CUA—working as a peer tutor in the Writing Center. On a much broader level, however, Kellenberg taught me what it means to be part of a community that values civility, order, and respect, and strives to honor the dignity of every human person. I believe my desire to study suicide prevention stems directly from the desire to preserve and reaffirm human dignity that Kellenberg instilled in me.
You recently attended Kellenberg’s Washington, DC Alumni Mass and Social. Why do you think it’s important to say connected to your alma mater?
During my time at Kellenberg, I truly embraced the idea that Kellenberg was home. Between sports, clubs, retreats, and other activities, I felt like I lived at school, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I am so proud of my Kellenberg roots, and I feel it’s so important to honor and nurture that bond by staying involved and connected. Singing the Salve Regina together at the end of the DC Alumni Mass really made me feel like I was home again, and it was so wonderful to see a Kellenberg community come together in DC.
What inspired you to pursue a career focused on improving the mental health of service members?
Despite the massive scope and complexity of the problem of suicide in the military, I feel that I have a duty to use my talents as a civilian researcher to advance this mission. Since launching my post-undergrad career in as a full-time researcher with the Center for Study of Traumatic Stress, focused on military suicide research, what has inspired me the most is the idea that I am working with data that represents the authentic lived experiences of our nation’s heroes; it is my responsibility to approach this data with honor, respect, and gratitude, and to work with my team to transform this data into a story that we hope will save lives.
Who was your favorite teacher/class, moderator/club, or coach/team when you were a student here, and why?
Each class and every teacher contributed to my KMHS experience. My favorite class at Kellenberg, though, was my sophomore year English class with Mrs. Vonn. That was the year that my fear of poetry was transformed first into an appreciation, and then ultimately a love. I think back on that class so fondly, and I could not be more grateful to Mrs. Vonn for encouraging my curiosity and sense of wonder around American literature. Mrs. Vonn was also the first person to introduce me to the poem “Invictus,” which has in many ways become my personal mantra; I’ve had a copy pinned to my bulletin board for years!