Natascha Freeman

Natascha's journey at SCPS began during a challenging time in her life when she decided to pursue psychology as a path toward a future career in counseling—something she had been thinking about for a long time.

"I was going through a tricky time in my life, and I finally decided that I needed to do something for myself," Natascha states. "Studying psychology was sort of up there on the horizon. It was something I had been thinking about for quite some time. Loyola gave me the final push I needed to pursue my dream."

Loyola's program resonated with her, especially the support from faculty and the enthusiastic ambassadors she encountered during various sessions. Inspired by another ambassador's similar experience and encouraging attitude, she decided to become an ambassador to offer the same support to others.

Her experience at SCPS significantly impacted her as both a student and a professional. Despite the initial nervousness about returning to school after a long break, she found her confidence quickly growing, attributing it to the supportive faculty who acknowledged the unique challenges faced by non-traditional students. Juggling her studies with a busy family life, including four kids and navigating through the challenges of starting during a pandemic, taught her efficient time management and perseverance.

Natascha found various highlights in her classes especially her major classes in psychology. She quickly realized she was doing the right thing by returning to school. She also drew much inspiration from her peers who were all juggling similar amounts outside of class.

Post-graduation, Natascha is now working on her master’s degree in counseling at Loyola’s School of Education. As an ambassador, she values the opportunity to inspire and support others, paying forward the encouragement she received from fellow ambassadors and faculty during her time at SCPS. She aims to provide a sense of confidence to those returning to education later in life, showing that personal growth and learning are possible at any age.

"SCPS gave so much to me. It takes courage and a great deal of time-management to return to school at a later stage in life. If I can give other people the confidence that they need, I feel like it's a way of giving back."