10/12/2021
GA Spotlight Series
Meet graduate assistant, Jessica Borchert!
What made you decide to go to grad school?
- I was 16 years old when I decided I wanted to be an art therapist. I am very passionate about art therapy, but it was through my social justice club that I was able to know that it was for me. Through my undergraduate club, I was able to serve and get hands-on experience doing arts in the community. I found it healing for the people I served, but also for myself. I decided to go to graduate school to become an art therapist.
What made you choose Grad school at Edinboro?
- Edinboro is an amazing university. As soon as I met the art therapy professors, I felt connected with them and their vision for the field of art therapy. Professors at Edinboro University walk alongside their students to help them achieve their academic and professional goals.
Edinboro University's Art Therapy graduate school program has a great reputation. Through the American Art Therapy Association, I have made close friendships and professional relationships with art therapists and art therapy students. Edinboro University was the most highly recommended school for those friendships and professional relationships.
What is your graduate program?
- Department of Counseling, School Psychology and Special Education: Art Therapy Program
What is your Graduate assistantship position?
- School of Education - Clinical Experiences and Partnerships
How did you hear Edinboro offers graduate assistantship opportunities?
- I created a spreadsheet of every art therapy program in the United States with information about each school. It was a part of my research process for each graduate school.
What were your thoughts when deciding to apply for a graduate assistantship?
- When I was applying for Edinboro University I could only dream of the future I have now. The art therapy program has been life-changing and so has my graduate assistantship. I imagined that graduate school would like my undergraduate experience, which was fantastic. Living in Edinboro, studying art therapy, working as a graduate assistant has been life-changing.
What is a day in the life of Jessica Borchert as an Art Therapy student in the Graduate studies office?
- I spend most of my day studying for classes and going to my graduate assistantship. Some might say studying for classes all day would be boring, but it is exactly the opposite. Learning about art therapy from the art therapy professors at Edinboro University is very exciting and is the highlight of my day. I have always desired the opportunity to attend graduate school and study art therapy, so I am thankful for my time here. My coworkers and classmates are a delight to work with. I always look forward to coming to my graduate assistantship and to my classes.
What skills has your GA helped you develop?
- The top three things I have learned from my graduate assistantship are how to conduct research, utilize APA 7, and work effectively as a team.
What do you love most about being a GA?
- I love the relationships I have made through my graduate assistantship.
What activity/place do you love most in Edinboro?
- My favorite activity is going to class to learn from the art therapy and counseling professors, Dr. Lorenzo de la Pena, Dr. Bentsen, and Professor Barton. I feel like I truly have a voice within my classes.