Alaskan wants to help vets
Heather Welch
Issue date: 1/8/10 Section: News
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NGCSU is home to a variety of students from all different backgrounds, creating a diverse and welcoming environment.
Jacqueline Boucher transferred to North Georgia after receiving her associate's degree at the University of Alaska Southeast with a desire to get her four year degree in psychology and go on to work with veterans.
Born in Juneau, Alaska, the paternal side of Boucher's family has been involved with politics for decades. Her late grandfather was the mayor of Fairbanks from 1966 to 1970 and the state's lieutenant governor from 1970 to 1974. Her father currently works as a senior financial adviser for the state.
When asked what it was like growing up in Alaska, she refers to the stunning contradiction of the sense of isolation and community.
"There are no roads in or out of Juneau, so the only way to go see other places was by air or by ferry," she said. "On the one hand, it made living there feel very safe, but on the other, it can seem very confining."
Psychology has always fascinated Boucher.
"I have a particular interest in abnormal psychology, especially anxiety and substance-related disorders, and my interest in psychology has always been geared toward counseling," she said.
But it's what she wants to do with her interest and education that makes her stand out: She wants to counsel veterans.
She describes her drive and ambition as "a pull to help people who have given so much to serve their country."
The Boucher family has ties with the military. Several of her uncles as well as her late grandfather have served in uniform.
It is from their experiences that her interest and passion are born. Hearing their personal stories of re-entrance into society, with positive and negative outcomes, influenced her.
She also spoke highly of the governmental assistance to the welfare of veterans, saying she "feels like our country has a very positive attitude toward veterans" but that mental health "especially regarding post-traumatic stress disorder, is not being taken into account as a part of overall wellness."
Why North Georgia though?
Coming from a smaller city, she cites the size of the school and its array of classes as a big part of her decision.
"I enjoy that there's a much larger selection of classes, but the school isn't so large that I feel like I'm getting lost within the system," she said. "North Georgia seems to strike a nice balance."
Still, she admits that she misses the cold, finding the southern heat an adjustment, particularly after moving here in a car with no air conditioning, since "air conditioning isn't really necessary in Alaskan cars."
In addition to an interest in psychology, Boucher is an avid reader and has an interest in photography. She is minoring in Spanish, and plans to attend graduate school.
Her father, stepmother, brothers, and sister still live in Juneau, and she plans to visit them over the next break.
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