Student Life Counselors

Taylor is returning for her 4th year at the Indiana Academy. She graduated from the IASMH in 2011 and continued her education across several states. She began her undergraduate study at the University of Rochester, continued at Indiana University Bloomington, and finished her degree at Northern Kentucky University. Her studies included genetics, biology, chemistry, psychology, and Russian language and culture. Taylor earned a B.S. in Biology along the Cellular, Molecular, and Organismal track in the spring of 2016. During her education, she worked as a laboratory assistant in a plant genetics lab and spent time as a sustainability intern focusing on the preservation and maintenance of old growth forests and the removal of invasive species. Taylor also studied chemistry abroad in London, England. Currently, Taylor is continuing her education in educational psychology. This summer, Taylor worked with the Indiana Academy’s Office of Outreach Programs. She has been part of many committees at IASMH including Academic Integrity Board, Student Services, Scholarship, Intervention & Retention, and the Crisis Team. She has sponsored many clubs and student unions including Spectrum, Asian Student Union, Latinx Student Union, ASL Club, Russian-German Club, and Environmental Conservation Club, and looks forward to continuing to partner with students in their extracurricular activities.

Taylor has several non-academic interests, such as kayaking, soccer, baseball, ultimate frisbee, science fiction, and musical theater. She enjoys substitute teaching for IASMH, true crime and paranormal podcasts, and Skyrim: Elder Scrolls.

Daniel is delighted to return for his third year at IASMH. He graduated from Ball State University in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology. During his time at Ball State, he served on the executive board for BSU Spectrum, which ignited his passion for working with marginalized communities. He obtained his Registered Behavior Technician certification in the fall of 2018, which allowed him the opportunity to spend a year working as a therapist for children with autism.

During his free time, Daniel enjoys watching sports (Go Celtics!), making music, and traveling. He is an avid fan of horror movies, collecting vintage cameras, and spending time with his niece and nephew. In the future, he plans to obtain a master’s degree in student affairs. Daniel is looking forward to helping all the new and returning Academy students grow both personally and professionally throughout the 2021-2022 school year.

Jaimee hails from sunny southern California, specifically the Inland Empire, and is new to Indiana. Her hometown is Moreno Valley (Moval) and she is stoked for her first year at the academy. She graduated from UCR in 2014 with a bachelor’s in English and minor in LGBIT studies. Jaimee was heavily involved in the LGBT Center on campus volunteering for events, participating in programming, facilitating programming, and was part of CORE (Community Outreach Educators). She went on to live in Chicago to serve AmeriCorps in their City Year program where she completed over 1700 hours of service involving tutoring, mentoring, role modeling, and community service. She stayed in Chicago after her service for two more years working for Chicago Public Schools as a substitute teacher and a Special Education Classroom Assistant. Finally, she moved back to California to complete graduate school at CSULB earning her master of science in Counseling option of Student Development in Higher Education while working for the Anaheim Union High School District as an Instructional Assistant. Her dream is to one day become an LGBTQ+ coordinator for a resource center on a college campus. Hobbies include playing video games, reading (comic books!), cooking, playing basketball, and rollerblading. True crime, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Xena, Warrior Princess are her jam, as well as spending time with friends and her partner. She is looking forward to building bonds and community with students at the Academy!

Heather is ecstatic to begin her first year as a student life counselor. She was born and raised in Sunman, Indiana as the middle of eight children. Heather attended Ball State University where she received her Bachelor’s degree in social work with a minor in Family Engagement in July 2021. During her last semester at Ball State, Heather completed an internship where she worked directly with foster children to support them and ensure their foster care experience was as smooth as possible. Heather is continuing her education in social work in hopes to one day become a social worker in a school or library.

During her free time, Heather loves reading books, hiking, and attending to all her beloved plants (even though she does not have a green thumb!). She enjoys showing her competitive side during board and card games and is always looking for a challenge. Heather is excited to get in the swing of things and get to know the students at the Academy to help them grow personally and professionally.

Rachel is excited for her fourth year at the Indiana Academy as a Student Life Counselor. She was born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana and has her undergraduate degree in psychology. She is currently pursuing a master’s in social psychology through Ball State. She enjoys a wide variety of hobbies and activities including running, listening to audiobooks, writing, art projects, re-watching tv-series, binging new ones, singing (both in and out of the shower), playing pool and going on trips with her bestie, and spending time on her friend’s farm. Rachel has two nephews that are eight and five years old as well as a two-year-old niece who she loves spending time with. She also has a cat named Sprout (find him on Instagram @sprootyandfruity). Words are important to her and she’s always keeping an eye out for her next favorite quote or poem. Rachel knows she has too many plants and books but is nonetheless excited to continue to collect more this school year. She is always up for spontaneous dance parties, deep conversation, and time spent getting to know the students of the Academy.

Abbie is so excited to begin her first year as a Student Life Counselor at the Indiana Academy. Abbie was born and raised in Anderson, Indiana. She attended Ball State University for her Bachelor’s Degree in Communication in 2017. While obtaining her BA, Abbie worked at French Lick Resort in the marketing department. After graduating, Abbie spent a year in Australia as an au pair and many months backpacking Asia. Abbie has spent much of her time teaching at the university level, as she enjoys working with young adults to build their public speaking skills and learn about how media and communication norms impact our day to day life. Abbie is excited to be working at the Indiana Academy to help mentor students to reach their academic and personal goals as they become adults! She is currently working towards obtaining her Master’s Degree in Communication where she researches how young adults communicate about their mental health with others.

In her free time, Abbie enjoys attending concerts, trying new cuisines, binge reading new book series, and playing with her greyhound, JoJo. She loves spending time in nature or traveling to new places, and can’t wait to start traveling again. She is also an involved aunt and loves to visit her favorite nieces in Nashville, TN anytime she can. Abbie is excited to get to know all the students and help them to have a great year at the Academy!

This year marks Chris’ sixth year as a Student Life Counselor at the Indiana Academy! He grew up in Pendleton, Indiana and attended Pendleton Heights High School. He went on to attend college at Ball State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications with a focus in Video Production. While a student, Chris served as a resident assistant for five semesters in BSU residence halls. Since graduation, Chris has worked as a freelance video producer and as a substitute teacher. He recently earned his Master’s degree in Executive Development for Public Service and plans to pursue a career in residential student affairs.

In his spare time, Chris has been known to play video games, build Lego sets, watch anything to do with Star Wars, and even serve as tech support for his grandparents. He is excited to be working with students at the Academy and see their continued development this year!

Katie is excited to start her fifth year working as a Student Life Counselor at the Indiana Academy! She grew up in Pendleton, Indiana, and went to Pendleton Heights High School. After graduating from high school, she attended Ball State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Journalism – with a focus in Graphics – and a minor in Leadership Studies in 2015. Katie was part of the Excellence in Leadership program at Ball State, where she learned about different leadership styles and how to incorporate them in daily life. Katie spent the next two years working as a freelance graphic designer and newspaper page designer for Community Newspapers Holdings Inc., in Anderson, Indiana before coming to the Academy as an SLC. Currently, she is working on her master’s degree with the Department of Environment, Geology, and Natural Resources at Ball State, in hopes of becoming an interpretive/park naturalist in the future.

Katie spends her free time listening to music, reading books, drawing, working out, kayaking, playing video games, and making crafts. She also likes traveling, especially to U.S. State and National Parks. Katie is looking forward to getting to know the students and planning fun, educational programs for them! This school year, Katie will be planning the Indiana Academy 2022 Prom.

Tori is ecstatic to begin her first year as a Student Life Counselor. She was born and raised in Lafayette, Indiana as the middle of three girls. Tori graduated from Ball State University in 2021 with a B.A. in Communication with a focus of Interpersonal Communication. While at Ball State, Tori served for a year and a half as the Director of Leadership on the executive board of Ball State’s Residence Hall Association (RHA) and as a member of Ball State’s National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).

Tori spends her free time playing video games, embroidering, and playing board games with her friends (she can get very competitive!). She also enjoys traveling and spending time with family. Tori is looking forward to getting to know the students at the Academy and helping them grow!

Vincent Rivera is a new Student Life Counselor coming to the Indiana Academy from Fort Wayne, IN. While Vincent is new to the role of SLC, he is not new to the Academy, as he is a member of its graduating class of 2008. Having been a student at the Academy himself once upon a time, Vincent appreciates the unique opportunity that has been afforded its students and hopes to support them to the best of his ability as they strive for continued academic and personal success.

Vincent attended Purdue University Fort Wayne, receiving both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Beyond that, Vincent has math teaching experience at his alma mater, first as a graduate teaching assistant and later as an adjunct faculty member. Vincent’s hobbies include playing role-playing and rhythm video games and watching anime.

Vincent is happy to be back at the Academy, and is honored for the opportunity to be an active part in its students’ lives.

Hannah is excited to start her first year at The Indiana Academy! Hannah was born in Vermont, but grew up near Columbus, Ohio. She attended Huntington University and earned her degree in Christian Ministries along with a minor in Bible and Religion. After graduating, she worked as a Houseparent/Family Teacher in a mental health residential program at Compass Rose Academy. Hannah loves spending quality time with her students—helping them process difficult emotions and empowering them to cope in healthy ways. In the near future, she plans to further her education in counseling!

Hannah enjoys a variety of activities! She loves being outdoors, dancing in the rain, and reading. She enjoys learning about the enneagram and having deep conversation with others. She loves dogs, handwritten letters, and learning how to do calligraphy!

Archer is thrilled to begin his first school year at the Indiana Academy. Archer was born in the US but immediately flown back to Ukraine where his parents lived and worked. After growing up across three continents, he moved back to the states in 2010 for school. He graduated from the Academy in 2016 and went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in English and Writing at Goshen College in 2020. After a brief stint in engineering, technical writing, and Computerized Numerical Control, his passion for helping bright students succeed emotionally and socially led him back to the Academy as an SLC.

Archer enjoys activities that exercise both the mind and the body. When he’s not playing chess, Starcraft, or other competitive strategy games, he especially likes to lift weights and play ping pong to stay in shape. Archer is looking forward to working alongside the students as a first floor Student Life Counselor and is excited to watch the students enjoy another great year at the Academy.