Lexington, KY – Avery Powers is a senior at UK who has made it clear that she’s not afraid to hear “no.” Her persistence and ability to push through challenges have opened doors that many might have walked away from. As a triple major in psychology, criminal justice, and sociology, Powers has carved out a path that defies expectations and sparks inspiration.
Even after sustaining a mild traumatic brain injury in high school, Powers has not let that stop her from thriving both academically and in leadership roles. Balancing the demands of a triple major in just three years, she also serves as a CoSW SEE Ambassador, a member of the College of Social Work (CoSW) Dean’s Advisory Student Council, the founder and president of the first-ever Student Criminal Justice Association, and a research associate in the College’s Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab (SPEL) with Dr. Julie Cerel.
On October 22nd, Avery Powers will be hosting a “Social Media Takeover” on the UK COSW social media Instagram and Facebook. Follow us at @UKCOSW to learn more about Avery’s journey and aspirations!
What sets Powers apart is her fearlessness in the face of rejection. She’s learned that being told “no” is not the end of the road but a chance to find another way forward. Her resilience has shaped her success, allowing her to take on leadership roles, excel in her studies, and become a role model for others. In this interview, she reflects on her journey at CoSW, the obstacles she has faced, and the leadership skills that have driven her to succeed.
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself and why you chose to triple major in psychology, criminal justice, and sociology?
Avery Powers: Coming out of high school, I wanted to major in criminal justice, but at the time, UK didn’t have a major pathway for it. Despite that, I knew I wanted to attend UK for scholarship and financial reasons, so I initially majored in psychology with a minor in criminology. I came in with 72 hours of dual credits from high school, which meant I could either graduate really early or add something else. Last year, I found out about the new Criminal Justice program and decided to add it, along with sociology. There’s a lot of overlap between these fields, which has given me space to explore and pursue all three while still graduating in three years. It keeps me very busy, but I’m especially focused on criminal justice right now.
Q: What inspired you to get involved with the Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab (SPEL)? What has your experience been like as a research intern there?
Avery Powers: I started out doing research in the psychology department. But I wanted to explore more research opportunities that would broaden my scope post-undergrad. I found out about the SPEL lab on the CoSW website and really liked the variety of projects. I felt there would be a strong level of overlap and interest with SPEL, so I reached out to Dr. Julie Cerel directly via email, and she graciously offered me an interview.
At first, I was honestly scared to reach out. I thought she might not want an undergrad student. I was afraid I wouldn’t qualify or that she wouldn’t have any interest in bringing me on. But I kept reminding myself that it doesn’t hurt to be told no. I’m so glad I took the chance because she ended up giving me a position in the lab. I’ve learned so much through trial and error and have grown a lot under her mentorship, which has been a valuable part of the experience.
In the lab, I do a lot of behind-the-scenes work on various projects—coding data, piloting surveys, and filling out IRB applications. One of my biggest projects was coding data in collaboration with Rutgers on their National 988 Mental Health Crisis Hotline, and I’ll be a co-author when the research is published. I’m also working on my own project for the National Conference for Undergraduate Research, focusing on coping mechanisms based on workplace environment and experience.
Q: As president of the Student Criminal Justice Association, what are some key initiatives or events you’re excited about? What inspired you to take on this leadership role?
Avery Powers: The Student Criminal Justice Association is a brand-new initiative, and I’m excited and honored to pave the way and leave a lasting impression for future students. I launched this program because I know it’s important for COSW to have something like this in collaboration with the Student Social Work Association. A big focus will be to bring in professionals from the community—lawyers, FBI agents, victim advocates—to speak with our members. Criminal justice is such a broad field, and I want students to get a feel for what’s out there early on in their academic path so they can refine and explore additional opportunities.
We’ll also host study sessions to help students feel prepared for exams and midterms, and I’m committed to ensuring that everyone in the program has the resources they need to succeed. I serve as a SEE ambassador and sit on the Dean’s Advisory Council. I’m passionate about building strong connections between students and leadership.
Q: For the social media takeover, what are you most excited to share with the College of Social Work’s audience?
Avery Powers: I’m excited to highlight how students can tailor their academic experience, especially with remote research and flexible schedules. I’ve structured my week so that I only have classes on Tuesdays through Thursdays, and I want to show students that you can manage a packed schedule without feeling overwhelmed. I also want to emphasize the importance of self-care, something I make a priority as I balance school, research, and leadership roles.
Q: How do you balance your responsibilities as a triple major, research intern, and president of an organization?
Avery Powers: Time management is everything. I use both a physical planner and a digital calendar to organize my days, and the gym is a big part of my routine. Every morning, I plan out what I need to accomplish, and I haven’t missed a deadline in college. That’s been a huge source of pride for me. I wasn’t always this organized—starting college was more difficult, but I knew that if I wanted to succeed, I needed to make serious changes to my time management.
Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your studies or internships, and how have you overcome them?
Avery Powers: One of the biggest challenges for me was adjusting to college with a mild traumatic brain injury I suffered in high school from carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s affected my short-term memory and cognitive abilities, and I’ve had to learn how to approach studying differently. I’ve personally chosen not to use certain accommodations available to me at UK for many reasons, but mostly I wanted to feel like I could succeed and experience normalcy, even with the brain injury.
It’s been really hard. My first year of college was an uphill battle. I didn’t have the grades I wanted and it took time to get used to the pace of college life. I’ve had to develop my own learning techniques, relying on daily rituals and constant practice to retain information.
Q: What do you hope people take away from your social media takeover about student life and involvement in the College of Social Work?
Avery Powers: I want students to know that you’re not defined by what happens to you or what you carry with you. Whether it’s anxiety, depression, or life circumstances, it doesn’t make you different from anyone else. You can still achieve your goals, and I hope people take that message to heart.
Q: What has been your most rewarding experience so far in your academic and leadership roles?
Avery Powers: Being a SEE ambassador has been incredibly rewarding. It’s given me opportunities I never expected, like serving on the hiring committee for the Director of Criminal Justice. I’m also part of the research committee, and both experiences have opened up so many doors. I’ve set high expectations for myself, and being an ambassador has helped me meet those goals.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your future career goals, and how do you see your current roles helping you reach them?
Avery Powers: I’m planning to apply to clinical PsyD programs in forensic psychology, with the goal of working in corrections or for the FBI. I’m really interested in the intersection of law, criminal justice, and psychology, and I want to be a licensed forensic psychologist. My dream is to work in the courtroom, testifying as a psychologist. Everything I’m doing now is helping me work toward that goal.
