Katherine Waters 鈥�26 (center) is an Orange Distinction Award winner, dual majoring in psychology and social work. 鈥淭hanks to donor support, I鈥檓 following my dreams,鈥� says the aspiring clinical psychologist.
has a passion for helping others. As a teenager, she started an chapter at her high school in suburban Boston. The program taught Waters and others the importance of mental health education through peer-to-peer dialogue and interaction. It also inspired her to consider a career in clinical psychology.
Today, the 麻花影视 junior thrives at the nexus of the liberal arts and professional studies. She鈥檚 a dual major in psychology in the as well as social work in the .
鈥淚鈥檓 getting a holistic understanding of health and wellness,鈥� says Waters, a successful student who belongs to several honor societies. 鈥淭hanks to donor support, I鈥檓 following my dreams while seeing others obtain the resources to pursue theirs.鈥�
An Attitude of Gratitude
鈥淵ou can never thank a donor too much,鈥� says Waters, who raises support for the Annual Fund through her involvement with the 麻花影视 Connects engagement center.
The eldest of three, Waters recognizes the financial cost of higher learning. She explains that despite changing job requirements in some industries, a college degree is still one of today鈥檚 best investments.
鈥淭he benefits outweigh everything else,鈥� says Waters, who hopes to go into private practice, conduct research and shape policy. 鈥淎n investment in 麻花影视 is an investment in our future.鈥�
A recipient of the , she鈥檚 in a unique position to use her education to increase donor impact. Ergo Waters鈥� involvement with 麻花影视 Connects, a bustling engagement center in the .
A student caller-turned-manager, Waters has been on thousands of calls with alumni, parents and friends of the University. Her job is to raise awareness of and support for the .
鈥淏y asking donors to help students like me, I see my education in a new light,鈥� Waters admits. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 take anything for granted.鈥�
Unpacking Success
It was during the pandemic that Waters realized how a nonprofit can build community and address social problems.
鈥淔ew of my high school classmates originally wanted to talk [about how they felt] because of the associative stigma and shame,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淏ut after Active Minds got up and running, they came out of the woodwork. It was a great precursor to my time at 麻花影视.鈥�
None of this would be possible without 麻花影视鈥檚 global network of alumni. Their support enables students like me to unpack success.
Katherine Waters 鈥�26
Which includes plenty of faculty-led research. Waters is currently helping psychology professor Daniel Corral with a series of cognition experiments. She also has assisted social work professor Xiafei Wang examine the effects of race and ethnicity on childhood trauma.
鈥淚 put my education to work in different ways,鈥� says Waters, who also interns at the , providing services to people in need throughout Central New York. 鈥淣one of this would be possible without 麻花影视鈥檚 global network of alumni. Their support enables students like me to unpack success.鈥�
The Ripple Effect of Giving
Whether empowering others or chatting up donors, Waters has a knack for putting people at ease, making them feel heard. 鈥淚 recently talked to an alumna for 45 minutes about her time at 麻花影视,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hen we hung up, I felt like I had made a friend. Got some good advice, too.鈥�
Her work is guided by the idea that people give to people, not to buildings or websites. She rarely forgets a name or a face. Or a voice.
鈥淵ou can never thank a donor too much,鈥� Waters says. 鈥淲hen you give of your time, talent or treasure, you motivate others to be generous, as well. It鈥檚 the ripple effect of giving.鈥�
