Mary Kay Krupka gives to student scholarships because she wants “the best, brightest, and most committed to be able to attend Adler University regardless of their personal resources.”

“Every day in the news, I see the trauma and psychological pain that young people are experiencing in marginalized neighborhoods,” said Krupka, who lives in Chicago. “Adler University is training students to work in all communities—and I believe that we can truly help these individuals who lack certain resources if we do not build healthy, stable communities.”

Krupka wants to help the University in its mission to train socially responsible practitioners. “The students at Adler University are different because they are committed to issues of social justice,” she said. “They understand that many problems in our city and country are the result of systemic racism and inequity.”

Krupka supports future practitioners like Constance Victor, a student in the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology program in Chicago who received one of two Krupka Scholarships for the 2018-19 school year.

“Receiving the scholarship has been incredible because it has helped me have the courage to pursue my dreams,” Victor said. “My dissertation is centered around working with at-risk youth or those who have been bullied, and receiving this scholarship has helped me feel motivated and able to explore this area of study.”

Once she is a licensed clinician, Victor wants to help underserved populations. In light of the limited mental health resources available to marginalized populations, she plans to work in a community health setting that assists people who lack resources and have unaddressed mental health needs.

In addition, she would like to “be involved in outreach and lawmaking in order to change the current social injustices in the world.”

Krupka wants to help students like Victor on their career paths because she knows they are committed to providing psychological services and to being change agents in communities.

“I believe Adler University’s vision is one of the ways we can change the trajectory of our future and the futures of those who have not had a voice. It feels good to be a part of that, even if only in a small way.”

Two new students are receiving Krupka Scholarships for the 2019-2020 school year.

“I hope more people will join me in providing scholarship support,” Krupka said. “It is a way that we can reduce the cost of higher education for students—and let them focus on their learning.”