Human Learning and Development Program Helps Grad Pursue Interests in Counseling, Educational Psychology

By Claire Miller

ATLANTA — Project Access is a nonprofit organization that provides on-site health, education and employment services to families, children and seniors living in affordable and workforce housing communities. During her internship with Project Access this semester, Allison Joyce (B.I.S. ’24) spent time working with the after-school programs at some of the nonprofit’s Atlanta-area locations.

“Part of this internship required me to create a project that would benefit the community through the four pillars of Project Access: youth education, economic stability and financial literacy, health and wellness, and community building,” she said. “I chose to center my project around the health and wellness pillar. I created a seminar-style project to teach the students who attend the after-school program about the effects of diet on stress management and how to cook some of the foods I talked about.”

Joyce’s hands-on experience working at a local nonprofit organization opened her eyes to the ways direct community engagement can positively impact residents.

This work has also brought to life the concepts she’s learned about in the College of Education & Human Development’s bachelor’s program in human learning and development.

“I have found insight into how peoples’ different experiences growing up can lead them down many paths and to an array of events that impact their lives,” she said. “Interdisciplinary studies seems to be a newer option as an area of study, and I have learned many skills and ways of thinking. I hope the program continues to grow and develop so others can benefit from it as I have.”

Joyce chose to major in human learning and development so she could combine her interests in counseling and educational psychology.

After graduating this fall, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in school counseling — another pathway that will allow her to have a positive impact on students.

She believes the human learning and development program has provided her with a strong foundation she can use to confidently take the next steps in her academic journey.

“I highly recommend the B.I.S. in Human Learning and Development program,” Joyce said. “I have learned that a degree in human learning and development opens the door for many different occupations and callings, and that I have a lot of options in what I wish to do with my degree after I graduate.”