Looking forward and paying forward
Looking forward and paying forward
As told by Jessica Drown, Ohio State Engagement Specialist
At the Engagement Center, we love connecting with new grads to welcome them into The Ohio State University Alumni Association. During these conversations, we often come across alumni like Riley Adleta ’23, who remind us of what makes our community so special.
When Riley went to college to pursue her dream as a varsity volleyball player, she couldn’t expect that the COVID-19 pandemic would bring the world to a halt in the spring of 2020. To add to the frustration Riley felt at the time, the small private college in which she started her education closed, leaving her scrambling to find her next step. Riley transferred to Ohio State for her sophomore year and chose to pursue a degree in psychology.
The transition to Ohio State was initially challenging for Riley, but her academic advisor, Alexis McDonagh, gave her all the tools she needed for success. They formed a close relationship during Riley’s time on campus, and as a gesture of appreciation for all her support and guidance, Riley nominated Alexis for the Outstanding New Advisor Award, which she won in 2022.
“While I was in undergrad, seeing counselors and therapists work with patients firsthand inspired me to pursue clinical mental health counseling. Someday, I hope to have my own private practice so I can work one-on-one with patients and be an advocate for mental health.”
Riley was also nervous about acclimating to a new community when she transferred to Ohio State, but was relieved when a group of girls offered to sit by her at the Penn State game her junior year. After a thrilling game, they stormed the field together and saw themselves on the Jumbotron — a memory Riley will treasure forever.
She continued to push herself out of her comfort zone as she developed new friendships on campus, connecting with classmates over Instagram and spending time in the Ohio Union. There, Riley ran into a former friend from high school who was looking for a new roommate and invited her to move in with what would become a tightly knit group of friends. Within this group, she met her now-best friend, who recently asked Riley to be her maid of honor in her wedding next year.
In the spring of 2023, Riley received her bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in human development and family science. This fall, Riley will begin graduate degree work in counselor education at Ohio State, with the long-term goal of working in clinical mental health counseling.
When asked what motivated her to continue her studies at Ohio State, Riley shared that the Buckeye community formed the person she is today and empowered her to grow personally, academically and professionally.
In true Buckeye spirit, Riley will pay forward to support others in her career as a counselor, sharing the passion and joy she has experienced throughout her time on campus.
Story collected by Jessica Drown, contributed to and written by Blaine Dearth, edited by Will Hejduk