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What brought you to CPS and what were you hoping the experience would give you?

As the world emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, I (like many people around me) underwent a significant change. I had lost the passion that originally led me to pursue a career in film and television, and I had never finished college, navigating mental health challenges that had gotten in the way. As I recovered and kept working toward the best version of myself, a dear friend encouraged me to look into Northeastern. Discovering CPS was a turning point. This experience has supported my commitment to lifelong learning, deepened my knowledge, and given me the chance to prove old doubts wrong.

What is the moment, class, conversation, or experience that stands out most from your time at CPS?

The courses that challenged me most are the ones that stand out because I pushed harder in those, and succeeded. The coursework genuinely deepened my knowledge and self-discipline. But what has always stayed with me is the quality of the people: my fellow students. I’ve learned so much through engaging with them, and the sense of community at CPS has been real and consistent throughout.

How has being part of CPS changed you — professionally, personally, or both?

CPS has fundamentally changed who I am, both professionally and personally. It has taught me discipline — and through that, sacrifice. It has helped me prove to myself that when I believe in myself, I can achieve. It has prepared me to enter the field of psychology as a professional and to approach life with empathy, integrity, and patience. Every lesson, I believe, happened for a reason.

Is there a person — student, faculty member, advisor, or colleague — who made a meaningful difference for you at CPS? Tell us about them.

Johanna Haiduk, Jocelyn Faber, Anne Hammer, Dr. Kristen Lee, and so many others have been fantastic and deeply supportive. Their ability to communicate consistently and make students feel heard, encouraged, and valued is something genuinely distinctive about CPS faculty. I’m grateful to have been part of this community.

Learning to accept uncertainty and embrace accountability is fundamental to building real resilience. Ask for help, trust yourself, and don’t wait for people to ask what you’re learning — talk about it anyway. Growth begins where silence ends.

Benjamin Robert Graves

What do you want the Class of 2026 to know as they step forward from here?

Humility. Learning to accept uncertainty and embrace accountability is fundamental to building real resilience. Ask for help, trust yourself, and don’t wait for people to ask what you’re learning — talk about it anyway. Growth begins where silence ends.