Student Human Interest

Motivated by Motherhood, Guided by Compassion

03 August 2026

Overcoming challenges drove Emily Thinnes to a career in caring. A degree from the Clarkson College Community Health program set her on a path toward a rewarding future.

Becoming a mother of twins at a young age was a challenge in itself. Throw in complications of preeclampsia, postpartum depression, and tackling it all as a single parent opened her eyes to the importance of community resources, education, and advocacy. When she selected where and what to study, Emily found the answer easy, stating: “I’ve always been passionate about helping people, especially children and families, so Community Health was the perfect fit.” She added a Psychology minor to gain a deeper understanding of mental health and human behavior, important pieces of overall well-being.

Emily credits her twin daughters as the biggest motivation of her college journey. “There were definitely times when balancing school, work, parenting, and life felt overwhelming,” she explained, “but they are the reason I kept pushing forward.”

The Community Health program taught her the importance of listening without judgment, building relationships, and helping people identify their strengths rather than focusing only on their challenges. “One of the biggest things I learned is that every person’s situation is unique, and there is usually so much more going on beneath the surface than what we can see,” Emily stated. She also learned how to connect people with resources, advocate for vulnerable populations, and look at health from a whole-person perspective. Her fieldwork experience helped bring everything together and showed her what it really looks like to support families in the community.

She also credits Clarkson College for her success, citing the Community Health and Psychology faculty for their supportive nature. As a student balancing school, work, and family obligations, she appreciated having professors who showed genuine care. “I always felt encouraged and supported,” she stated. Lessons emphasizing trauma-informed care helped shape how she views and works with others and taught her the importance of empathy, understanding, and meeting people where they are.

Emily recently accepted a position as a Family Support Specialist and is excited to help families navigate challenges, connect with resources, and build on their strengths. Long-term, she would love to continue working in areas related to family support, maternal mental health, and helping vulnerable populations. Her own experiences have shown her how much of a difference one supportive person can make, and she hopes to “pay it forward” for the benefit of others.

When asked what advice she would impart to others considering pursuing an education, Emily answered, “Don’t count yourself out before you start. There were many times I questioned whether I could do it. There will be hard days, but there will also be moments when you look back and realize how far you’ve come. Give yourself grace and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.”

When not at work, Emily is making the most of life by spending time with her daughters, being involved in church, and spending time outside.