By Liberty Rister
When McKenna Bivens walks across the graduation stage this December, her cap will shimmer in the light — a sparkling, hand-crafted, bedazzled dancing Charlie Cardinal. The project took more than 24 hours, and for McKenna, it’s more than just decoration. “All the time and energy I put into it reflects how much I’ve cared about my experience here,” she said. “It feels comforting and fun, just like Ball State has been.”
Much like her cap, McKenna’s journey at Ball State has been built one piece at a time, with care, patience, and creativity.
When she first arrived on campus, McKenna was majoring in elementary education with a concentration in psychology and counseling. But after taking her first psychology class, something clicked. “After my first psych class, I just found the topic more interesting,” she said. “My grades even started going up, which felt like a small sign I made the right decision.”
Counseling quickly became her focus, understanding people, listening deeply, and learning what helps them heal. That interest soon grew into a clear sense of purpose.
For McKenna, choosing Ball State was initially about convenience; she grew up in Muncie. But what started as a practical choice became something much more.
“I’ve gained so many friends, opportunities, and learning experiences here,” she said. “It’s not just a convenience anymore, it’s a community.”
One class that shaped that community was Techniques of Psychological Interventions, taught by Dr. Anthony Pacifico. The course dives into real-world counseling methods and communication skills, essentials for anyone planning to enter the mental health field. “Dr. Pacifico has been such a big support,” McKenna said. “He’s helped me through the grad school process and always encourages me to keep going.” The experience gave her confidence not just in her academic abilities, but in her ability to connect with others, a skill she uses daily in her internship.
Outside the classroom, McKenna has found meaning in hands-on work that connects psychology to community care. She currently interns at Aspire Indiana Health, a nonprofit that provides integrated medical and behavioral health services. There, she researches job instability and homelessness, exploring how employment opportunities can help individuals achieve lasting stability. At the end of the semester, she’ll present her findings, a tangible outcome of her passion for helping others.
Her academic experiences have also blended with service and leadership on campus. In her Psychology of Support Groups course, taught by Dr. George Gaither, she serves as the administrative coordinator for the gender diverse group, a role that’s taught her how empathy and structure can work hand in hand. “Ball State really helps us understand people on a deeper level,” she explained. “You gain real-world skills that actually apply to your career.”
Looking back, McKenna can see how these experiences connect. “When I started, I didn’t really know who I was,” she said. “But through the psychology program, I’ve built confidence in my skills and in myself.”
As her undergraduate chapter closes, McKenna is preparing to continue her work with Aspire while pursuing a master’s degree in counseling. Her long-term goal is to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), combining her education, empathy, and research into a meaningful career.
Her advice for new psychology students is simple but heartfelt:
“Take every opportunity you can,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to get involved. Whether you find your people right away or later on, there’s always someone here for you.”
For McKenna, each bedazzled dot on her graduation cap represents the moments, people, and lessons that made her time at Ball State shine. “I’ll remember everything,” she said with a smile. “But especially the friends I’ve made and the circle I’ve worked so hard to build.”
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