"It wasn't always easy trying to balance studying, work and friends, but I don't think I had it any harder than anyone else," graduate Tiffany Greeley said. "I think if you have good time management skills, you can accomplish pretty much anything." Unlike the typical college student, who took four or more years to complete an undergraduate degree, Greeley graduated Harding after only three years, moving into the Marriage and Family Therapy Master's (MFT) program in fall 20 11. Greeley claimed hardships in her life, including the passing of her mother when Greeley was 16 years old, caused her to mature quickly and gave her a drive to succeed. "I think it helped me to appreciate things more," Greeley said. "It was my mother's example and who she was as a person that has made me the person I am." That example helped Greeley stand out in the counseling program. "I have observed Tiffany working with people who come in the clinic, and I love to watch her greet someone who has come in for the first time," graduate Vanessa Hunter, Greeley's friend and classmate, said. "I admire how she can make people feel welcome when their circumstances aren't always the best." Her genuine goodwill toward others gave A~~~ purpose Greeley the opportunity to make many friends during her time in graduate school. "I've formed a bond with my 13 classmates," Greeley said. "We all come from very different backgrounds and are at different stages in life, but we've come to trust each other and rely on each other for emotional support. It's crazy for me to think that I didn't even know most of them before this year because now I consider them some of my closest friends." Greeley also commented that counseling had always been the obvious career choice for her. With a few years of working the Harding counseling center desk under her belt, she was optimistic about her opportunities to change lives for the better. "I've always known I wanted to go into a helping profession," Greeley said. "I don't think I could be fulfilled in my career unless I knew that what I was doing had a positive impact on people's lives. People have always come to me with their problems and concerns, and for some reason, they seem to receive comfort from me. I hope there will be individuals and families I will be able to help become healthier. I look forward to seeing the change in people, and I can see the transformation it has had on my own life. I know this is a process that will continue throughout the program." John Shrable Tri Duong Mary Fish Daniel Hardison Monowar Hossain M elinda Johnson People 2'15
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