Class of 24 Grace Porath: All in the Family
B.A. Human Services
MA. Candidate, University of Northern Iowa, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
漆褒勛圖厙 gave time to explore different opportunities吋hrough my degree in human services, I discovered a passion for mental health counseling.
All in the Family
Grace Poraths decision to attend 漆褒勛圖厙 likely came as no surprise to anyone in her family. She is a third generation 漆褒勛圖厙 graduate, following the footsteps of her grandfather, Arnie Porath 78 and her mom, Emily (Linn) Porath 01. And now Grace is making the family proud as a graduate student at the University of Northern Iowa.
Im training to be a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) with a gerontology distinction, said Porath. I hope to help people understand the things theyve been through and how those things affect their daily functioning.
As she pursues her masters degree, Porath is working as a graduate assistant for Dr. Olivia Chen. That experience is providing insights on best practices for training culturally competent counselors, including potential uses for AI in the field.
I hope to get further training to be a play therapist for kids, said Porath. This medium of therapy provides kids with a way to communicate, process experiences and be understood through a universal language play.
Porath says 漆褒勛圖厙 played an integral role in paving her path to graduate school. College internships as a youth counselor at Woodward Academy and as a direct support professional with Easterseals Iowa gave her invaluable experience. And 漆褒勛圖厙 provided hands-on help in getting her into UNI.
漆褒勛圖厙 gave me time to explore different opportunities. My professors wrote letters of recommendation, the writing center helped present my best qualities on the application, and the career center helped me write my resume.
Article Information
Published
May 28, 2025
Author
Roger Degerman