Dec 15, 2011

Student Profile: Elizabeth Freund

Name: Elizabeth Freund
Grade Year: Senior
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Major(s): Psychology, Criminal Justice Administration
Hometown: Johnsburg, IL
What’s the best thing about being a student at Columbia College?: The staff and faculty at the Crystal Lake Campus—since most of us are non-traditional students, we have different needs.  Debra Hartman and her colleagues in Crystal Lake, IL, go above and beyond to help us succeed.
How do you serve your community, your college, or your country?: My passion lies in abused and neglected horses and children and the unique potential they have to help heal others.  I am working on an intervention model that will benefit children, horses, and in the end, society as a whole.  Studies show that life trajectories for children in foster care can be tragic—I believe it is wholly unnecessary.  My life’s work centers on improving outcomes for abused and neglected children and horses.  It won’t be cheap or easy, but I believe it is possible.
If you could design a course at Columbia College, what would it be called?: Surviving Dr. Gelman—The Yin & The Yang
What do you value most in life?: A quick wit, a kind word, a soft touch, the benefit of the doubt, and a generous soul. Most people don’t know that… I read neuroscience for fun.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?  How does a degree from Columbia College fit into those goals?: In ten years I will have earned my PhD in organizational leadership, and be the executive director of CiroH Academy, a home for abused and neglected children and horses.
Who inspires you?: My children, Michael and Erin, the finest individuals I know.  My mom and my Aunt Bobby, Einstein, Rebecca Moravec and Dr. Gelman.
When you’re not studying or fulfilling other obligations, how do you spend your leisure time?: Riding horses, gardening, writing, and reading.
What makes you laugh?: My friend Lauri and my great dane, Ruckus.  Also, sometimes I am profoundly inept and oblivious.

0 comments: