WEBVTT 00:00:09.280 --> 00:00:09.600 Hello. 00:00:09.600 --> 00:00:14.980 I'm Michelle Drennan with Divine Mercy University, and my role is alumni relations coordinator. 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:22.155 I had the joy today of being at the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis and ran into one of our graduates, Rachel Haydel. 00:00:22.535 --> 00:00:29.650 And she's going to, answer a few questions and give us an idea about her journey and her experience with Divine Mercy University. 00:00:29.790 --> 00:00:31.170 Thank you so much, Rachel. 00:00:31.310 --> 00:00:31.790 Absolutely. 00:00:31.790 --> 00:00:33.090 I'm so happy to be here. 00:00:33.710 --> 00:00:42.605 So first of all, I'd like to find out where are you working now, and what are you doing to manifest some change in the world with your your degree? 00:00:42.825 --> 00:00:42.985 Yeah. 00:00:42.985 --> 00:00:44.045 That's a great question. 00:00:44.105 --> 00:00:49.245 So I am currently a campus minister at Christ the King Parish on LSU's campus. 00:00:49.625 --> 00:00:57.065 So I'm part of a team of about I think we have six about six campus ministers and a bunch of missionaries from FOCUS. 00:00:57.065 --> 00:01:04.580 And I mostly walk with women one on one, kind of like a mentorship role, teaching them how to pray. 00:01:04.800 --> 00:01:06.020 I lead bible studies. 00:01:06.240 --> 00:01:10.420 I I plan retreats and many evening events for the college students at LSU. 00:01:10.975 --> 00:01:12.015 And it's very life giving. 00:01:12.015 --> 00:01:13.795 It's really rewarding ministry. 00:01:13.855 --> 00:01:14.335 I Yeah. 00:01:14.415 --> 00:01:18.815 Have an amazing team, amazing leadership, and yeah. 00:01:18.815 --> 00:01:20.095 So it's it's been really good. 00:01:20.095 --> 00:01:21.315 It's been it's been blessed. 00:01:21.455 --> 00:01:26.780 So do you have any future plans for other types of opportunities for your graduate? 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:28.380 Is that always in a period of flux? 00:01:28.380 --> 00:01:31.280 Do you think you've got it really solid in what you're doing now? 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:32.620 I think it's pretty solid. 00:01:32.620 --> 00:01:35.200 You know, I I would love to write. 00:01:35.980 --> 00:01:36.940 I also do art. 00:01:36.940 --> 00:01:37.660 I'm an artist. 00:01:37.660 --> 00:01:42.605 And so there's some avenues of creativity that I'm hoping to tap into more in the future right now. 00:01:42.605 --> 00:01:47.325 I I've been in this position for two years now, going on my third year. 00:01:47.325 --> 00:01:53.725 So definitely learning and growing in my own gifts of speaking and leadership and that sort of thing. 00:01:53.725 --> 00:01:58.170 So but I think, yeah, maybe more of those creative sides hoping to lean into more. 00:01:58.470 --> 00:01:59.210 That's wonderful. 00:01:59.750 --> 00:02:03.990 And and we do like to publish, in or actually putting a website together. 00:02:03.990 --> 00:02:05.910 If you do write a book, we wanna put you on there. 00:02:05.910 --> 00:02:06.650 Oh, great. 00:02:06.790 --> 00:02:06.830 Yes. 00:02:06.870 --> 00:02:08.570 Also forming a speakers bureau. 00:02:08.705 --> 00:02:10.385 So that's another conversation I have to have. 00:02:10.385 --> 00:02:10.545 Yeah. 00:02:10.545 --> 00:02:12.405 We'll have to have that conversation for sure. 00:02:12.465 --> 00:02:17.765 So tell me if you remember, what attracted you to Divine Mercy University, and how did you find us? 00:02:18.225 --> 00:02:25.460 So I studied psychology at LSU, and I knew that I wanted to work with people to some capacity, but I didn't know quite what. 00:02:25.460 --> 00:02:34.420 And so as I studied psychology, I was really into my faith that I was I was getting a psychology perspective from a secular university, which I was really grateful for, actually. 00:02:34.420 --> 00:02:36.120 I think it gave me good perspective. 00:02:36.615 --> 00:02:43.835 But once I got towards the end of my journey at LSU, I was craving a Catholic perspective of psychology, especially therapy. 00:02:44.135 --> 00:02:50.090 And so as I looked at different schools, to me, DMU kinda stood out as the top school in my mind. 00:02:50.410 --> 00:02:52.650 I've always been a nerd and loved school. 00:02:52.650 --> 00:03:03.610 And so I knew that a master's wasn't quite gonna be enough for me in terms of the studies and just learning more knowledge and about the field and helping helping people. 00:03:03.610 --> 00:03:05.315 So I just yeah. 00:03:05.315 --> 00:03:06.855 I was drawn to Miami University. 00:03:07.315 --> 00:03:11.475 I think I was in particular drawn to the integrated portion of the program. 00:03:11.475 --> 00:03:16.615 So there are other Catholic schools that have psychology degrees. 00:03:16.915 --> 00:03:27.550 But DMU, from what I researched whenever I was, you know, applying for graduate schools, has the most integrated in terms of studying also theology and philosophy. 00:03:27.690 --> 00:03:31.310 And so I was really just drawn to that and wanted that formation. 00:03:32.135 --> 00:03:33.755 And your journey is a little unusual. 00:03:34.375 --> 00:03:39.255 You started in one program, finished that, went on to another one. 00:03:39.255 --> 00:03:45.195 And, you know, I've always said that you wanna wake up every day and love what you do for a living, and I think that's very important. 00:03:45.720 --> 00:03:53.740 And sometimes, in your search, in your journey, so you ended up completing what we call our MPSY, but it served you well. 00:03:53.880 --> 00:03:54.600 It has. 00:03:54.600 --> 00:03:55.000 Yeah. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:04:02.615 So, yeah, I I entered in starting in the the PsyD program, the doctorate program on-site, and I really did enjoy it. 00:04:02.615 --> 00:04:08.555 And I I had amazing cohort members and a great time at DMU with my professors. 00:04:09.015 --> 00:04:16.760 And I I got my MSI, the master's in psychology, clinical psychology, had a third year of working on dissertation and that sort of thing. 00:04:16.760 --> 00:04:26.595 And halfway through, I just felt it was honestly just a call, a tug from the Lord away from practicing therapy and completing the degree and to do ministry full time. 00:04:26.915 --> 00:04:29.635 But I certainly use my degree Absolutely. 00:04:29.715 --> 00:04:30.915 All the time at what I do. 00:04:30.915 --> 00:04:41.910 I mean, some of the skills and, I mean, the human formation that I gained at Deimer University, I think one of the the main things I noticed is it formed me as a person, my time at DMU. 00:04:42.930 --> 00:04:51.490 Just by diving into the therapy field, having that philosophy and psychology and theology background, I grew so much as a person. 00:04:51.490 --> 00:04:53.975 And coming and and it was cool. 00:04:53.975 --> 00:04:58.635 My my pastor at at Christ the King, where I work, he knew me as a student. 00:04:58.695 --> 00:05:02.535 And then I left and went to grad school for a few years and then came back and worked for him. 00:05:02.535 --> 00:05:04.615 And he even said he was like, wow. 00:05:04.615 --> 00:05:07.755 Like, I can see how you've grown and matured as as a person. 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:13.560 And I told him, I was like, really, the program at Divine Mercy University makes a space for that. 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:21.480 And so I really am so grateful, and I feel like it's equipped me to do what I'm doing. 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:42.380 As as a campus minister, I have I have the advantage of being able to walk with students in a spiritual role, but also having that clinical ear to really know what I need to direct them to therapy or even just, you know, if there's ever situations I'm knee needing to assess risk, I I have that skill set to to be able to do that and then get them the help they need. 00:05:42.380 --> 00:05:50.460 And so it really has given me a holistic perspective in being able to help students and help them grow in their faith. 00:05:50.540 --> 00:05:58.355 Journey kind of helped you you know, I think it's important in life you find out, you know, what's not right for you and what you don't want to do and it gets you so much closer to what you do want to do. 00:05:58.355 --> 00:05:58.675 Right. 00:05:58.675 --> 00:06:01.335 You kind of are in that wonderful basket of opportunities. 00:06:01.395 --> 00:06:06.675 So I'm just so happy that you're using your degree in the right one that you finished and went on with. 00:06:06.675 --> 00:06:10.560 So what do you feel like? 00:06:10.560 --> 00:06:12.480 Because you've been out there a while, especially with students. 00:06:12.480 --> 00:06:15.620 What do you think as far as the education that you do have? 00:06:16.400 --> 00:06:22.100 What type of bridges that can be built between, say, science and religion, health care, pastoral care? 00:06:22.345 --> 00:06:29.405 What are you seeing as that conglomerate that works together that you were helped by the education that you got to kinda fill all those pieces together? 00:06:30.265 --> 00:06:30.505 Yeah. 00:06:30.505 --> 00:06:31.645 That's a great question. 00:06:32.025 --> 00:06:41.500 You know, I do think there is more need for bridges between, especially, mental health care and faith backgrounds, religion, church organizations. 00:06:42.280 --> 00:06:49.820 I am seeing that that bridge is being built, and I think a lot of it has to do with having more Catholic psychologists and therapists. 00:06:50.040 --> 00:07:02.355 So the I have the unique opportunity or just privilege to have Catholic therapists come to our office once a week and see different students, in our office. 00:07:02.355 --> 00:07:04.135 So one of them is doctor James Hernandez. 00:07:04.275 --> 00:07:08.070 He is a DMU graduate and works in Southern Louisiana. 00:07:08.070 --> 00:07:16.650 And so having him, we have another therapist named Stephanie, and a couple others who are in and out who have that Catholic perspective. 00:07:16.710 --> 00:07:27.625 And so when there's big issues concerning mental health that comes up with students, we're able to tap them and consult and get their perspective and their advice, and it really is so helpful. 00:07:28.565 --> 00:07:30.885 And so, yeah, I think that's that's been a real gift. 00:07:30.885 --> 00:07:39.040 I just recently met doctor Hernandez because he was the outstanding graduate of the year at the last, opportunity for graduation. 00:07:39.260 --> 00:07:39.660 See that. 00:07:39.660 --> 00:07:39.900 Yes. 00:07:39.900 --> 00:07:45.485 And I just enjoyed he and his wife so much, and I'm so glad that that collaboration is going on. 00:07:45.485 --> 00:07:49.665 And we see that a lot with Divine Mercy University students as collaborations that occur. 00:07:49.805 --> 00:07:53.345 They find out where they are in a specific regional area, and that's very exciting. 00:07:53.405 --> 00:07:53.565 Yeah. 00:07:53.565 --> 00:08:05.190 So I would say part of helping the bridge between these different, types of health care is is really just more formed individuals who are aware of both sides. 00:08:05.190 --> 00:08:06.090 I think Finally. 00:08:06.150 --> 00:08:07.690 Some of them are taking insurance. 00:08:07.830 --> 00:08:08.810 Some of them aren't. 00:08:08.950 --> 00:08:14.570 But, I mean, I think we're finally seeing a focus on mental health, and I I that's what I'm hearing from you that that's important. 00:08:14.825 --> 00:08:15.865 It's definitely important. 00:08:15.865 --> 00:08:16.345 Absolutely. 00:08:16.505 --> 00:08:21.885 Questions that I should have asked you that I didn't or any other comments that I would have you share? 00:08:22.905 --> 00:08:24.025 Not that I can think of. 00:08:24.025 --> 00:08:31.570 I'm I'm grateful for my time at DMU and, yeah, just really grateful for my formation there. 00:08:31.570 --> 00:08:38.550 And the Lord's been really providential to me, and and leading me and shepherding me away from DMU and into ministry. 00:08:38.610 --> 00:08:42.770 And a lot of what I've learned and how I've grown at DMU serves me all the time. 00:08:42.770 --> 00:08:45.745 So proud to have you as an alumni. 00:08:45.745 --> 00:08:48.065 And I thank you so much for a gift of time today. 00:08:48.065 --> 00:08:48.545 Thank you. 00:08:48.545 --> 00:08:49.605 I appreciate it.