Class of 2024: BGSU student wants to help children with anxiety find their voices

Lauren Okuley’s childhood experiences inspired her path to a career in social work

By Laren Kowalczyk ‘07

Bowling Green State University senior Lauren Okuley spent most of her childhood feeling like she couldn't speak in school and other public places due to anxiety.

The feelings of isolation, loneliness and frustration Okuley faced from having selective mutism — a fear of speaking in certain situations — inspired her to pursue a degree in social work to help children with similar challenges.

“I always wanted someone to be there to support me in a way that a social worker would have,” Okuley said. “I don’t want children who have selective mutism or social anxiety to go through what I went through. I want to help them find their voices.”

Okuley, who is from New Bavaria, Ohio, south of Napoleon, will graduate from BGSU in August with a degree in social work, joining an in-demand field that contributes to the public good by empowering people to cope with varying challenges related to mental health, trauma, child welfare, chemical dependency and others.

Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the BGSU social work program meets Ohio's social work licensure requirements, and graduates consistently outperform the national average on the national licensing exam.

The program prioritizes experiential learning, allowing undergraduate students to conduct research with faculty who practice in the field and participate in community service programs to apply skills from the classroom to the real world.

Dedicated support

Okuley said that while there are still days she struggles with anxiety, she thrived at BGSU, crediting her progress to supportive professors, the learning community and the Thompson Working Families Scholarship Program.

”There is such a great atmosphere at BGSU and a sense of belonging,” she said, noting that she didn’t openly share her challenges with anxiety with those at the University. “I didn’t want it to hold me back in any way. I wanted to be like everyone else.”

As a Thompson Scholar, Okuley received dedicated support from an advisor, which motivated her to keep pushing forward.

A cornerstone of the Thompson Working Families Scholarship Program is its robust support system. This framework ensures that every scholar receives personalized guidance and encouragement throughout their academic journey.

“My advisor genuinely cared about how I was doing,” Okuley said. “Being a Thompson Working Families Scholar significantly impacted my experience at BGSU. Not having a huge financial burden was certainly a relief, but the support I received was equally beneficial.”

In addition to the built-in support from the Thompson Scholarship Programs, Okuley found encouragement and reassurance in the BGSU social work program through knowledgeable professors and helpful classmates.

Field experience

Angela Carriker, an assistant clinical professor in the College of Health and Human Services, said Okuley embodies many traits needed to succeed in social work. She’s highly organized, committed, a skilled communicator and deeply understands the field.

“Lauren is really passionate about what she’s learning and about social work as a whole,” Carriker said. “She understands how what we learn in the classroom translates to helping people. We’re all brought to this field for a reason, and her life experiences will allow her to connect with people, which is a significant factor in helping people overcome challenges they’re facing.”

During Okuley’s final semester at BGSU, she interned at the Center for Child and Family Advocacy in Napoleon, which provides mental health services to children, adolescents and adults. She co-facilitated group therapy and assisted clinicians in supporting adults and children impacted by trauma.

“BGSU taught me the skills I need to be a social worker, and now I’m learning to apply them,” Okuley said. “I would 100% recommend the BGSU social work program to anyone interested in this field. Our professors care about us gaining the knowledge we need to be effective social workers. I’ve learned so much that I will carry with me in the future.”