Morristown, N.J. (December 26, 2017) – Recent psychology graduate, Ashley Friedman of West Paterson, N.J., is using the skills she learned at SEU to help those with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

Just two weeks after receiving her diploma from SEU, Friedman started her position as a direct support specialist at Capitol Care in Mount Arlington, N.J. She's now working with people who struggle with autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, bipolar disorders, depression and anxiety.

"This is a very hands-on career that's always changing and requiring me to learn more each day," says Friedman. "It's going to benefit me just as much as it's going to benefit my patients."

Friedman is no stranger to service-learning. While at SEU, she volunteered with the Student Outreach and Academic Reinforcement (SOAR) program in Morristown, N.J. which connects needy fifth graders with college students who tutor in reading, spelling and mathematics.

"It was the most rewarding program I've ever been in," explains Friedman. "The kids were wonderful. Just to know that I made an impact in their lives socially as well as academically was amazing."

Friedman insists that her career path and passion in life would have never been realized without SEU.

"If I had attended a bigger school," she says. "I would have been lost. I wouldn't have put myself out there and I wouldn't have had professors who pushed me to enhance my resumé and really helped me out."