Cierra K. Reeves knew there was a wide world of careers she could pursue with a psychology degree, but it took some prayer, a conversation with her mother, and a chat with her advisor before she settled on a minor in management in aging services that would define her next steps. Cierra is a non-traditional, online learner who was looking for advice on how to focus her studies. After speaking with James Hamilton, director of academic advising in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, she honed in on the minor from the Erickson School of Aging Studies. She now sees herself working toward opening a facility that uses art therapy for older populations. Tell us all about it, Cierra!
Q: Briefly introduce yourself. What’s one essential thing you’d want another Retriever to know about you?
A: My name is Cierra K. Reeves, and I am a woman of God on this beautiful journey called life. I am a psychology major minoring in management of aging services with the goal of opening my own facility geared towards art therapy in the geriatric field. I love all things art, and I love to help others and see others smile. And I feel like what I’m doing now is my calling because I’m able to combine my love for art and helping people.
Q: Tell us about someone in the community who has inspired you or supported you, and how they did it.
A: One person in particular that has helped to fuel, inspire, and ease my nervous system in this entire process, has been, Mr. James Hamilton. He is my tried and true advisor. He is so patient, and his career story has helped to motivate me and has kept me pushing along in school when things feel tough. I believe he is most definitely a Godsend!
He always gives me a motivational nugget to keep going. He’s so calming to my spirit and he’s just so patient. And I feel like I really need that. I look for people like that because in this world we’re always hustling and bustling. Not many really take time with people, but he’s dedicated to his job and serving others in that role.
“I feel like what I'm doing now is my calling because I'm able to combine my love for art and helping people.
My mom has also inspired me to follow my dreams—despite any adversity she always strives for greatness. She always stands in her authentic self and embodies and empowers me to do the same. She’s taught me how to stay physically active and how to better take care of myself now that I am getting older.
Q: Tell us what you’re excited about in your academic area.
A: I have had the privilege of growing up with my elders and they have most definitely inspired my love for the geriatric field. My great-grandmother, Dr. Lucy Mason Reeves Jones, was the first African American female podiatrist in Baltimore. I remember growing up with her and how she taught me to make carrot juice and the importance of expanding my mind and vocabulary. And I remember being around my elders and my grandmother—my mom’s mom (Beona Campbell), my favorite grandmother—who was just so, so strong. I mean, so resilient. She taught me about fashion, about thrifting, about keeping God close and just instilling those morals and values in me at a young age.
I’ve always kept older people close to me. And so when I learned about the management of aging minor and took my first class, I loved it.
Q: How did you know what you wanted to study?
A: During the pandemic, I really honed in on what God wanted me to do, and I had a lot of time to reflect and pray upon that. And I was given this answer: psychology. I’ve always been interested in psychology, but I was always nervous to pursue it because I know that it’s really, really difficult.
But I’ve always loved the challenge. I’ve always been into books. I just love to learn. I love to expand my mind and learn new things. And so this felt like the perfect avenue, especially because when the pandemic was happening, I started to think to myself like, ‘Okay, what could I do to fulfill the purpose that God has for me, but also give back to the community and also make sure that I will be okay for my family monetarily and that I would also feel fulfilled in?’
Q: What’s the one thing you’d want someone who hasn’t joined the UMBC community to know about the support you find here?
A: Some teachers and faculty will go above and beyond when it comes to helping you learn. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Always use your voice, because your voice matters.
James Hamilton, director of academic advising in CAHSS, has been instrumental in Cierra’s academic trajectory, but he wants to make sure she’s not alone in finding her path. Since 2017 when he started, Hamilton has built out the advising capacities in CAHSS and brought on multiple professional advisors to walk CAHSS students through the first few years of their studies.
Previously faculty members were responsible for the day-to-day advising needs of most students, but Hamilton recognized the need for dedicated advisors to translate the academic requirements for students in order to promote student success and retention.
“Our goal has been to offer centralized advising services for students’ first and second year with a professional advisor,” says Hamilton. “Then, for the third and fourth years, they would be with a faculty member where that mentoring role could take place. Because at that point, they already know about their requirements and how to register and how to do all of the nuts and bolts stuff, so they can use their time with faculty member talking about career options, internship opportunities, study abroad, mentoring, and more.”
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Tags: Academic Advising, CAHSS, Erickson School, Management of Aging Services, Meet a Retriever, Psychology
