Breann Ahlman, ‘14

Why did you choose to come to UMR? During the tour, the classes seemed really hands-on and I loved the small class sizes. I was not sure what type of career I wanted to pursue, just that I wanted to be in the health science field, and all of the classes at UMR were integrated in the health sciences. I also loved how we got to shape our Capstone experience.

What did your Capstone experience at UMR involve? I did a group study on mass murderers and the different classifications. I did a study abroad trip to Denmark to compare and contrast the different mental health services between Denmark and the United States. I then spent my senior year at the U of M Twin Cities campus earning a minor in psychology.

How did your Capstone experience prepare you for your future in what you’re currently doing? My Capstone experience helped prepare me to get a better understanding of the connection between physical and mental health. Having the background in the physical sciences at UMR and then the mental health theories from the Twin Cities campus helped me gain a better understanding of the person as a whole and to consider how all factors can impact individual characteristics.

Is there a certain instructor that greatly impacted your time at UMR? Professor Collie had a huge impact on my time in UMR. She helped run the Capstone group on the mass murderer study. Without her, I would not have been able to discover my passion for providing mental health treatment in a correctional setting.

What are you currently doing? I earned my Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health with a specialization in forensic mental health, and now work as a Mental Health Clinician at a prison near Boston, Massachusetts. I just accepted a position with a private practice to provide community mental health treatment.