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As a peer support advocate, Brittany Millard, a 2018 psychology graduate, works with clients at the Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance (GRMHA), evaluating their mental health goals and connecting them with the appropriate services. Millard was offered a full-time position after graduating, which followed an internship with GRMHA starting in August 2017 of her senior year. Recently promoted to Representative Payee, Millard, in addition to still being a peer support advocate, assists consumers in managing their money so they can support their needs.

Millard's experiential learning opportunity enhanced her knowledge, skills and values outside the traditional academic setting. In addition to working full-time, Millard has just entered her second year of pursuing her doctoral degree in clinical psychology at Immaculata University. Millard feels the courses at Alvernia prepared her to excel at an advanced level of education. She will be starting to apply to practicum placements for her third year and is looking to stay in the Reading community to continue to give back and learn.  

She credits her undergraduate advisor for giving her the ambition to reach higher.

“I always say that the best decision I’ve made in my life so far has been coming to Alvernia. And that’s because of how much I have grown and changed.

"My advisor pushed me to come out of my comfort zone and set bigger goals. I went from not being able to speak in class to presenting at a national conference," said Millard, who presented her research at the 2017 Eastern Psychological Conference.

Millard says she was timid when she enrolled at Alvernia, so presenting her research on stress and burnout in the nursing field was a huge accomplishment for her.