Waynesburg University Senior Alicia Zottola thought her whole life that she was going to be an english teacher, but a month prior to her coming to Waynesburg, she found her true passion.

“Covid happened, and I realized I wanted to help people on a deeper level,” Zottola said. “I changed my major to psychology.”

Zottola visited Waynesburg her junior year of high school, and it ended up being the only school she applied to.

“It was an experience that I couldn’t stop thinking about,” Zottola said. “When I stepped foot on campus, everything felt right.”

Not only did everything feel right for Zottola, but Instructor of Psychology, Chaley Knight noticed her from the first day the two interacted.

“Alicia immediately stood out to me as a resilient student with an inquisitive mind,” Knight said. “A tenacious and contagious spirit, and high emotional intelligence.”

As a student, Zottola took on the role of being a Behavioral Health Technician for her junior and senior year.

“This job required several hours of training and passing an exam,” Knight said. “Her dedication to learning new things, in the midst of discomfort and scarcity is inspiring.”

Zottola spent time interning as a Behavioral Health Technician at Achieving True Self.

“I thought that I would get a master’s in clinical mental health counseling,” Zottola said. “However, my career plans changed when I started my internship.”

Zottola now works part time with Achieving True Self, going into the homes and schools of young children on the autism spectrum and doing Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy. 

“I realized I wanted to work with both neurodivergent and neuro typically developing children,” Zottola said. “Which changed my career trajectory.”

Zottola thanked Dr. Jenny Jellison, Dr. Marrisa Mendoza, Chaplain Joshua Sumpter and specifically Knight for all they did for her.

“These professors have helped me grow both academically and spiritually in ways no one else ever has,” Zottola said. “[Professor] Knight has taught me the humanistic skills I need in order to be more nurturing towards others.”

Knight read the quote from Zottola and said how much it meant to her to hear that feedback from a student of hers.

“Students like Alicia [Zottola] have taught me that these parts of me are a blessing to students,” Knight said. “Especially those who are going into the helping profession.”

Upon graduation, Zottola plans to continue her education at either Indiana University of Pennsylvania or the Florida Technical Institute.

“I am currently on IUP’s alternate list for their doctoral program for clinical psychology,” Zotolla said. “If I don’t get fully admitted, then I am going to commit to FTI’s master’s in behavior analysis program.”

Knight left with a message to share with Zottola and send her off for her future endeavors.

“Remain true to yourself. The sky is truly the limit for you,” Knight said. “Keep going, keep your head up and know that God can and will provide for you in ways that are forever unimaginable.”