Name: Karen Hua

Hometown: Fox Chase, Philadelphia

Graduate Program: Master of Arts in Counseling

Undergraduate Details: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Temple University

Why did you choose Arcadia?

I chose Arcadia’s Master of Arts in Counseling program because of their emphasis on multiculturalism and their model of supporting students in smaller cohorts. It was extremely important for me to be in a master’s program that was smaller, yet intentional with their program. Arcadia was just that!

What have you gained during your time here?

I have gained SO much here at Arcadia. During my time here, I was able to participate in an independent study and special project, supporting Professor Michael Morrow in researching child and adolescent anxiety. During this time, I was tasked with researching why anxiety in children tends to occur, and how child-rearing, family support, and biology can impact those anxiety levels. Overall, I was able to support the conversation by identifying what assessment tools were out there. I even got to support the language on some possible items to put together for the assessment tool he was trying to create. Additionally, I got the chance to be able to provide mentorship to freshmen as part of Heights Philadelphia, organizing activities and cultivating community with the Heights students!

What is your proudest accomplishment to date?

My biggest accomplishment to date has been being inducted into Psi Chi, the International Society of Psychology, after being nominated by my professors, Lauren Cain-Baxter and Kristen Hawk-Purcell. Additionally, I was the recipient of the Samuel M. Cameron Graduate Award for Excellence in Counseling, which “recognizes a graduate student who has demonstrated exceptional academic and professional excellence, particularly in the areas of evidence-based and multicultural practice.” This award was named after Professor Emeritus Samuel M. Cameron, the founder of the Arcadia University Graduate Program in Counseling. I was so honored to be the only counseling graduate student to receive the award at the Honors Convocation award ceremony!

What is a challenge you’ve had to overcome to get to this point?

A challenge I had to endure to get to this point has been trying to balance my various roles of being a Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT), caretaker, intern counselor, and at one point, a dog walker, while being in my graduate program full-time. Throughout graduate school, I not only transformed as a student and professional, I have also been transformed in faith. Not too long ago, I began deepening my relationship with Jesus, and became a Christian! Although this journey of having newfound faith is exciting, it did not excuse experiencing any hardship during this time. 

What do you do when you’re not in class?

When I am not in class, I am in the field as an RBT with young clients diagnosed with Autism; seeing clients ages 5-18 years old with presenting concerns from anxiety and depression to grief and loss as an intern counselor at Counseling or Referral Assistance (CORA) Services in the Family Advocate Program; doing pick-ups and drop-offs for the children I care for; serving on the hospitality team at my church; volunteering at local organizations; watching a new movie; catching up on my readings for my Big Book Lovers Book Club; spending time in nature; getting a workout in; and/or training for a 10K (I am very new at running)!

What are your post-grad plans?

After graduate school, I am looking forward to beginning my full-time counseling job as part of the Family Advocate Program at CORA Services and taking my National Counselor Exam in the summer. I also hope to continue deepening my interpersonal relationships, growing my faith in Christ, and keeping up with my commitment to volunteer at least once a month at a local organization.