Students in the Spotlight: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Madison Butcher

Graduating Year: 2021

Education: BA in Integrative Studies, foci - Exercise Science, Psychology, and Religions Studies

Career: Madison is currently an Occupational Therapy doctoral student at Indiana University

“At first, I didn’t know a lot about what an integrative studies major was, but even after taking the first class, I knew it was the perfect major for me, and my career aspirations. The integrative studies program allows you to pick certain areas of study, which allows you to become knowledgeable about those topics. It also allows you to become knowledgeable about the connections between these areas, which allows you to develop critical thinking skills, life skills, and problem-solving skills to create holistic solutions. These concepts fit perfectly with my career aspirations to work in the medical field.
I have always known I have wanted to work in the medical field. Over the years I have gained experience working as a nursing assailant, EMT, telemetry technician, and phlebotomist. All of these jobs have taught me things critical to the field, but having knowledge from all of these areas makes me a valuable employee at any one of these positions. This Is just as integrative studies teaches as well. It’s not about the knowledge you gain from the individual areas of studies but how they all connect, and that same thought applies to medicine as well. The integrative studies major helped me redefine my writing skills, which helps me convey my own voice and ideas.
The most influential part of the program has been its research aspect; not only teaching me how to properly conduct research but opened many doors to different areas of research which sparked my interests and allowed me to become passionate about new topics.”

Necessary job skills: Problem solving, Communication, Research, Finding coherence and seeing connections

Megan Hodory

Graduating Year: 2019

Education: Spanish & Integrative Studies (Business, Studio Art, and Honors) Majors

Career: Immigration Law

“At Northern Kentucky University, I developed a variety of skills by means of choosing one traditional major, Spanish, and one uncommon major, Integrative Studies. These majors prepared me for teaching English in Spain, persevering through the global covid pandemic, and ultimately my career. I currently work at McKinney and Namei, where I have the privilege of helping lawyers who represent clients from all over the world.”

What they do: Bilingual Legal Assistant, McKinney & Namei, LPA

Necessary job skills: Communication, critical thinking, ability to work with culturally diverse groups

Career path: After graduating from NKU, Megan moved to Malaga, Spain to teach English. After completing her teaching assignment, she returned to northern Kentucky to work in immigration law.

Weston Jones

Graduating Year: 2023

Education: BA in Integrative Studies

“When I began my college career, I had no idea what I wanted to major in. I had enjoyed being self-employed for the past few years, running an online business, and there were not any specific majors that I felt I needed to further my career. Then I read about the Integrative Studies program. The flexibility of choosing three different areas of focus was very appealing to me. I chose History, Popular Culture and Religious Studies because I find them all very interesting and I wanted to learn more about them.”

Career: Small business owner

The Integrative Studies program at NKU offered me the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree by learning about subject matter that was important to me, and it taught me how to approach solving complex problems in a more effective way. Our constantly changing world will continue to deliver problems that are too complex to solve through one discipline alone, but by bringing together multiple disciplines and seeing how and where they can be bridged together, new solutions can be created. I can now take the tools and skills I have learned through Integrative Studies and use them not only in running my business, but also to deepen my understanding of the world and my place in it.

Shawn Kayley Sullivan

Graduating Year: 2023

Education: Associate of Arts Degree in Integrative Studies

"The Integrative Studies program uplifts and encourages students to explore all aspects of their academic interests. I would not be the individual I am today had it not been for the opportunities and perspectives I was provided through the IST track."

Career: "From my own experience of growing up with mental adversities, I have become extremely passionate about psychological health. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; upon graduation, I will continue my educational career in a doctoral program. I plan to receive a PsyD and become a licensed clinical psychologist. From there, I aspire to establish a career for myself as a cognitive-behavioral therapist and work with children and adolescents."

Graduating high school while completing two years of college credits has helped Shawn learn and develop a wide variety of skills including critical thinking through analyzing complex issues from multiple perspectives and evaluating different approaches to problem-solving, integrating knowledge and concepts from diverse fields, making connections and find creative solutions that might not be apparent within a single discipline, collaborating with individuals from different backgrounds and areas of expertise, gathering and synthesizing information from various sources, including academic disciplines, methodologies, and research methods, and approach complex problems with flexibility and adaptability from different angles, drawing on knowledge and techniques from various disciplines. Shawn also developed cultural competence by engaging with diverse disciplines and developing an appreciation for different cultures, values, and perspectives. As a future cognitive-behavioral therapist, Shawn will be well-served by her time developing these interdisciplinary skills.