We recently caught up with CS alumna Audrey Stephenson, class of 2010, as she updated us on her professional journey and reflected on how her time at Community School influenced her path.
Audrey fondly remembers her years at Community School. Her favorite memories come from playing in the Big Woods, where she and her friends built hideaways and, despite the rules, couldn’t resist swinging on vines. Today, she is in her third year of a doctorate in clinical psychology program at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, providing psychotherapy in clinical practice and conducting research on personality and psychopathology.
Audrey feels fortunate to be pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist. During her current practicum at the VA, she has discovered a passion for working with clients with PTSD. She is also looking forward to beginning dissertation research in the spring, examining how parenting practices affect personality pathology across generations.
Audrey reflected on the influence her CS teachers had on her life. “There were many teachers who had a lasting impact on me, often by simply being a supportive teacher who believed in me and fostered my curiosity and a love for learning.” She remembers a yearbook note from Katrina: “Remember me when you’re published!” At the time, it felt unrealistic, but it planted a seed that led her to publish academic articles and aspire to write a book someday. The Bolivian exchange program led by Elena fostered her love of foreign languages and cultures, influencing her decision to double major in Spanish at the University of Virginia and shaping her goal of someday providing psychotherapy in Spanish.
Audrey is due to graduate with her doctorate in 2028 and is excited to pursue a career that allows her to follow her passion while making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.