By Jenny Recktenwald & Tessa Chilton
Elizabeth McKune ‘99
EdD in Educational and Counseling Psychology
McKune serves as chief operating officer for Seven Counties Services, the community mental health center for the Greater Louisville region. She has provided mental health services and training in many roles and settings. She says she was drawn to the profession because of the wide variety of things you can do with a psychology degree. “My clinical skills training prepared me well for direct care, as well as working with individuals and groups in collaborative and innovative ways to do more with often strapped resources. I’m thankful for all of my training experiences, as they prepared me well to be a voice and advocate for individuals in our under-resourced communities to obtain and receive the quality healthcare we all deserve to receive.”
John Nevitt ’91
MEd in Counseling Psychology
Nevitt has spent more than 25 years at Metro United Way where he currently serves as director of economic mobility, overseeing the organization’s efforts to advance financial stability resulting in strong households. This includes workforce development, benefit access, financial counseling, access to financial services and support for employers. Nevitt says he knew at an early age that he wanted a career focused on making a positive difference. “I found my degree to be applicable to many aspects of my work because, at the end of the day, we are all individuals trying to do our best for everyone we love. My foundation in counseling allows me to understand beyond words to recognize underlying intentions which is invaluable in any career working with people and promoting positive change.”
Steve Shaw ’17
BS in Organizational Leadership & Learning
Shaw is making a community impact as the founder of the Boys of Color Rise mentoring program. The initiative aims to inspire young men of color, ages 10-16, to reach their full potential by fostering core values and providing positive male role models. Shaw credits UofL for providing a strong foundation in leadership, project management, research and service which helped him feel equipped to make a meaningful impact. “Completing the OLL program boosted my confidence and gave me a sense of purpose,” said Shaw.
Nikki Boyd ’00
BS in Health & Human Performance - Exercise Science
Boyd serves as director of maternal infant health initiatives with March of Dimes, working with community partners to improve maternal and infant health throughout Kentucky. She has worked in school, hospital and community settings to advocate for the importance of understanding social determinants of health, such as poverty, race and education. While earning her bachelors, Boyd developed a passion for preventative medicine. “Having that skill and knowledge really helped prepare me for a career in public health. Learning about the science of exercise, nutrition, kinesiology, anatomy, sports psychology and more gave me a core understanding of the mind-body-soul connection to health. I still use some concepts of exercise science even today.”
Eric Dios ’21
MA in Higher Education
Eric Dios, a U.S. Marine Corps educator, highly recommends the college for its programs tailored to the unique needs of higher education administrators. “With specialized courses, experienced faculty and opportunities to test my understanding of operating in higher education, the program offers invaluable experiences for hands-on learning,” said Dios. Associate Dean, Jeffrey Sun was particularly influential on his experience. This connection inspired Dios to pursue a doctoral degree in education at the University of Southern California.
Kara Young ’10, ’11
BS and MAT in Health & Physical Education
Kara Young was recently named a 2024 National Teacher of the Year by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) America. Young attributes her success to the strong foundation she built at UofL, saying, “Without the foundation created during my time at UofL, I would not be where I am today.” Young currently teaches at Manual High School and continues to give back to UofL by serving as a cooperating teacher, helping pre-service teachers develop their skills.
About the College of Education and Human Development:
Founded in 1968, the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) is a vibrant community that prepares students for leadership in a variety of metropolitan settings including schools, public and private corporations, and governmental agencies.
CEHD embraces the University's mission to advance the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse communities and citizens. Our commitment to student success is unparalleled as we promote the highest levels of learning and social, emotional, and physical health and well-being for all children, individuals, and families.