Heather McCarthy is one, busy Purdue Calumet alumna

"I believe the key to my achievements were the professors that instilled in me a commitment to learning as paramount to success. I continue to be influenced by their instruction and the impact of their commitment to lifelong learning."

Heather A. McCarthy is one, busy Purdue Calumet alumna. She is vice president of prevention services at Geminus Corp., the mother of two boys and a law school student.

McCarthy, who received the Alumni Committed to Excellence Award, holds a master's degree in English literature from Purdue Calumet, a master's degree in public affairs from Indiana University Northwest and a bachelor's degree in English literature from Purdue University West Lafayette. She expects to graduate next year from Valparaiso School of Law.

"Much of my educational experience was at Purdue Calumet, and I credit this time as instrumental in contributing to my personal and professional growth," she said. "The close community, quality professors and individual attention provided the environment for excellence.

"Purdue Calumet welcomed me as a non-traditional student and provided the context in which I could thrive," McCarthy added. "Purdue Calumet provided an opportunity to explore my options and inspired me to achieve more than I ever thought possible."

At Geminus, she provides oversight to grant funded initiatives locally, regionally and statewide. Through writing grant proposals in response to state and local funding opportunities, she has generated funding to assist communities in providing a variety of services for youth and adults. These services include mental health services, substance prevention services, leadership training and the implementation of strategies to promote healthy communities.

"In the process of my career growth I have secured millions of dollars in grant funding from state and federal sources," McCarthy said. "My position allows me to serve on several local and state boards of directors and to influence policy decisions pertaining to social services."

According to McCarthy, she assisted in the completion of state and federal grant proposals to implement programs for underserved populations for local social service agencies during her graduate work at Purdue Calumet.

"This opportunity provided a method of using my writing and communication skills in a manner that could benefit others," she said. "The rewards of seeing the practical application of my writing skills benefiting others gave me the motivation and drive to continue in this direction."

She began working at Geminus, a not for profit corporation, in 1998 and has progressed from a coordinator to a vice president.

"I believe the key to my achievements were the professors that instilled in me a commitment to learning as paramount to success," McCarthy said. "I continue to be influenced by their instruction and the impact of their commitment to lifelong learning."

Upon completion of her Juris Doctorate, she plans to move into the area of policy development.