Grad student aims to broaden opportunities for neurodiverse adults
When Jenny Pacheco separated from the Navy, she returned to higher education with a mission: broaden opportunities for neurodiverse young adults.
Following a successful 13-year career in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant commander naval nurse corps officer at naval hospitals in Italy, Virginia and California, Jenny Pacheco began thinking about her next chapter. Tapping into the military benefit of the G.I. Bill, she chose to pursue Towson University’s master’s program in health science with a concentration in community health.
“When I started at TU it had been almost 25 years since I sat in a classroom. TU has made the transition back to school seamless and easy through its Military and Veterans Center,” says Pacheco. “Students represent a wide range of demographics, but everyone is kind, considerate and willing to see all points of view.”
“ Professors are all accomplished, published, excited about what they do, and practical in their approaches. ”
Pacheco is particularly impressed with the practical aspect of the TU program. “Professors are all accomplished, published, excited about what they do, and practical in their approaches,” notes Pacheco. In one assignment, the class wrote grant proposals to fund COVID-19 vaccinations for underserved populations.
Pacheco looks forward to cultivating her interests in health research and evidence-based practice.
“My 10-year-old son has autism, and while there are many community-based programs for young children, those services are not as widely available for young adults,” explains Pacheco. “Neurodiverse adults need a schedule, a routine and things to do,” says Pacheco. “My goal is to work in the community with a nonprofit creating jobs and living communities for these adults.”