Graduate student Nia Jaco wins the University’s fifth consecutive Jennie S. Ewald Award for school psychology

MURRAY, Ky. – Nia Jaco, a second-year school psychology graduate student from Paris, Tennessee, received the Jennie S. Ewald Award on Sept. 24 at the Kentucky Association for Psychology in Schools (KAPS) event in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

This scholarship is designed to recognize and support school psychology students likely to impact the profession in Kentucky.

This marks the fifth consecutive year that a student from Murray State University has won this award.

Dr. Sean Simons, coordinator of the school psychology program and Jaco’s adviser, noted that this scholarship is unique, as it is only awarded to second-year graduate students.

“Our program is unique in that we offer more hands-on experiences under faculty supervision than anyone else,” Simons said. “The Assessment Center and the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders are student training clinics where our students primarily handle cases. When I write these letters, I get to brag about how many cases our students have worked on and all the things they’ve accomplished.”

Jaco expressed her initial disbelief upon receiving the award, followed by an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

“I was kind of shocked at first, and then I felt a very overwhelming sense of gratitude—especially for the opportunities I’ve had to work in the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Counseling and Assessment Center here at Murray State,” Jaco said. “My position as a graduate assistant in those clinics has allowed me to work with children and families in Kentucky and neighboring states, which has been a meaningful experience for me.”

Simons praised Jaco’s drive and commitment to her career path.

“Nia came to an open house I conducted, and we remained in touch even through her graduation,” Simons said. “She has had some life experience that gave her clarity about pursuing this profession. From day one, she has been focused on her goals.”

Jaco noted that while she was always confident in her decision to pursue Murray State’s school psychology program, receiving the award has further reinforced her confidence.

“From my experience, a small cohort size has made faculty accessible to me,” Jaco said. “Dr. Simons and Dr. Dunham have prioritized supporting their students, which has enriched my graduate experience and allowed me to explore my interests in the field and my specific research interests.”

Speaking about her experience in the program, Jaco highlighted how her professors have worked to ensure she and her peers are prepared for their future careers, citing her work as a graduate assistant.

“Working at the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Counseling and Assessment Center has provided me with real-world experiences in applying the knowledge I’ve gained in lectures,” Jaco said. “These roles have allowed me to administer psychological assessments with guidance from my professors and consult directly with families to better understand their needs and help them.”

Jaco said as the fifth consecutive recipient, it’s important she recognizes the hard work and dedication of past students.

“It honestly speaks to the excellent quality of education provided by the faculty in the school psychology program and the unique opportunities that they provide to us students,” Jaco said. “I've witnessed how both of the faculty, Dr. Dunham and Dr. Simons, have worked to constantly improve the program for students, but also worked as psychologists in the community to improve the lives of both children and families.”

For more information about the school psychology program, visit murraystate.edu/schoolpsychology.