Gro Community takes pride in the remarkable impact that graduates from Southern Illinois University Carbondale have had on our organization. As we celebrate the SIUC Saluki Ball, we would like to shine a spotlight on some of these exceptional therapists who have made a significant difference in people’s lives. Discover more about these inspiring change makers below.
Aaron Mallory
Founder & CEO
- Year you graduated from SIUC: 2010
- Degree Obtained: Electrical Engineering
- How did SIUC prepare you for your career: The opportunity to engage with registered student organizations and the leadership training they provided has been invaluable to me. Furthermore, I greatly appreciate the supportive educational environment at the university. During my time there, the Minority Engineering Program offered substantial mentorship and guidance to help students of color navigate the demanding engineering curriculum.
- Fondest SIUC memory: The year my fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, brought Drake and the year before that, Young Joc, to the Kappa Karnival/Players Ball stands out. Additionally, my University 101 class with Dr. Stalls instilled in us the importance of discipline in our coursework. Mr. Michael Haywood also imparted many lessons on the importance of delivering a great presentation in everything we do.
Rashaud Media
Regional Director
- Year you graduated from SIUC: 2018
- Degree Obtained: B.A in Criminology Criminal Justice Major/Minor Psychology in 2013. Masters in Educational Psychology in 2018.
- How did SIUC prepare you for your career: SIUC prepared me to be tenacious and accountable in my actions that allows me to continue to “Gro”as a clinician in the counseling world. Joining organizations on campus that developed my professional skills that I still utilize today in organizing and facilitating work related tasks.
- Fondest SIUC memory: Fondest SIUC memory would have to be watching the events that I had the opportunity to budget, plan, and facilitate turn out to be successful for the campus such as (siu idol, wild n out,Student Conferences), building lifelong relationships with people that I am still close with today who are in various professional careers
Jarelle Ship
Therapist
- Year you graduated from SIUC: 2022
- Degree Obtained: B.A. in Social and a Masters in Social Work.
- How did SIUC prepare you for your career: SIU prepared me for my career is by provifing me with career counseling, internships, and practical training opportunities that has given me valuable hands-on experience. Additionally, the classes I took helped me develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that I have come to know to be beneficial in my career now. Overall, I feel confident that SIU has equipped me with a solid foundation for success.
- Fondest SIUC memory: Outside of joining the GREATEST fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, My Fondest SIU memory would be walking the stage to obtain my Masters degree. With my 2020 class being apart of the Covid era, unfortunately I was not able to walk the stage for my bachelors degree. So my Masters Degree meant a lot to me.
Eric Banks
Therapist
- Year you graduated from SIUC: 2022
- Degree Obtained: B.A in Social Work in 2021 and MSW in 2022.
- How did SIUC prepare you for your career: SIUC helped prepare me for my career by giving me a wide range of resources. The staff and community of the Graduate program made sure to push students to become the best version of themselves.
- Fondest SIUC memory: Fondest Memory at SIUC is easily my first homecoming week. The Saluki spirit was at peak, perfect weather, football, family. nothing like it.
Marcus Jackson
Therapeutic Mentor
- Year you graduated from SIUC: 2016
- Degree Obtained: B.A. in Psychology
- How did SIUC prepare you for your career: My time at SIUC helped me develop my professional networking skills. Through networking, I was able to secure an internship opportunity. That internship was where I identified my passion for working with youth. I am extremely grateful for the experience as it shaped my path.
- Fondest SIUC memory: Attending RSO Fairs.
Bernard Brown
Therapist
- Year you graduated from SIUC: 2010
- Degree Obtained: Workforce Education and Development
- How did SIUC prepare you for your career: SIUC prepared me for adulthood. There were specific faculty and staff at SIUC that mentored me and helped me stay on track.
- Fondest SIUC memory: My fondest memory of SIUC was meeting my college sweetheart who has become my wife for 11 years as well as friends who I still consider close friends to this day.
Terry Matthews
Therapeutic Mentor
- Year you graduated from SIUC: 2016
- Degree Obtained: Bachelors of Education
- How did SIUC prepare you for your career: The networking at SIU positioned me to do well in my career.
- Fondest SIUC memory: Walking on college campus at 21 years old for the first time was the best memory. When I graduated high school at 17 I never thought I would end up in college. I cried a little.
Marcus Touissant
Therapeutic Mentor
- Year you graduated from SIUC: 2014
- Degree Obtained: Bachelors of Arts
- How did SIUC prepare you for your career: SIU prepared me for my career by adding tools by tool box by measures of educational, personal and professional development. Education taught me how to study and understand human behavior and increase my communication skills from my coursework. Personal skills taught me empathy, as well as increased my listening skills by hanging with friends rather inside or outside the classroom and professional taught me ethical practices and clinical skills from working at Lutheran Social Services for my internship program.
- Fondest SIUC memory: My fondest moment was when I brought my siblings and cousins down for the weekend for players ball and showed them around the campus and inspired them to continue their education as well as kicked it with them the whole weekend.
Marcellus Pollards
Therapist
Year you graduated from SIUC:
- Degree Obtained: Bachelors of Arts
- How did SIUC prepare you for your career:
- Fondest SIUC memory:
