Being MHGS alumni means different things to different people.  But a common theme that I often hear is that the completion of the program is in some way the completion of a dream.  It may have been a dream as one friend states, "she waited years to fulfill."  For others like me, completion of the degree was a realization that it was part of the journey to a bigger dream.  In the process of attending MHGS, I realized that it too was a place to recognize dreams - not just a tool to get what I wanted.   The completion of a dream is both glorious and really difficult.  At the completion, one realizes that not all is found.  In fact, some things are lost and must be found again.   Hence the conversations alumni often have regarding what has been great about the program and what needs to be added.  In these conversations, I think it is important to remember that MHGS was a start of a journey.  And as we move on in that journey it is important that we do not forget the road we have chosen is a difficult one.  What will come can not be avoided and so as we discuss ways to be with new alumni, it is important to walk along side them both giving them particular tools such as the DISC profile (a tool for vocational, personality, behavioral tendencies offered by a former alumni, Shannon Price) while asking the question, "What does it mean to be with new alumni in the desert?"

I often liken graduating from MHGS to going to the moon.  We enter into a new space and time while going through the process and so the return to the “real world” must be done very carefully.  When one returns to earth after a trip to the moon it can not be done quickly nor without preparation and those who were there with you become very important because they share a similar experience.  So it is with recent alumni, though each person will do it different, the return to the real world must be done carefully and thoughtfully.

If you have interest in working with Martha on some creative and fun ways for old and new MHGS Alums to connect with and care for each other, please click here to email Martha & Hillary!

Alumni Reflection  

Melissa Medley

Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology '07 Graduate

Alumni Council Member (serving Alumni on the East Coast)

I arrived in Seattle in August 2004 on a dare – really, a friend had dared me to apply to MHGS to see if it was what was to be next in my life.  Now, understand I was a nurse and very happy in my relatively new job outside DC, happy & content also with my friends & family nearby.  Why would I want to move 3,000 miles away for school??  Three years later it has been made clear to me time and time again that there were multiple reasons for me to be in Seattle, at MHGS, pursuing my MACP.  Last fall I began to wonder what was going to be next.  I had just spent time in Kenya and wanted to stay connected to my friends there, but didn’t feel called to move.  There were a couple of opportunities and new relationships in Seattle that made me wonder, “Will I stay here?”  Much to my amazement, it was made known to me through multiple avenues that I was to relocate to Durham, NC – another new adventure.    

Graduation was a surreal experience for me.  I kept looking around asking others, “When does it begin to feel real?!”  Dan was back from sabbatical to deliver the commencement address, but when I found myself in class with him 4 days later, I thought surely this has to end soon!  And two months later, in a bittersweet moment, it did.  Practicum IV was a wonderful end to my time at MHGS.   

As I begin the new chapter of my life in NC, I am thankful it isn’t difficult to find a job as a nurse – and even better yet I’ve been offered a job with flexibility so that I have a day to start seeing clients!  It is also my hope over the next several months as I settle into NC to be in touch with the many alumni on the east coast.  I have volunteered to be the east coast rep and to help maintain relationships between past students and MHGS.  If you live out this way, please drop me a line and perhaps in the future we can gather for a meal or at least be in touch via email (mmedleyrn@hotmail.com)

As a recent graduate, I am all too aware of how it is to come out of a transformative experience such as grad school and wonder, “what next?”  It is my hope to work with you to network, support and encourage you as you live in to what is next for your life.