{"id":72966,"date":"2025-12-07T09:40:50","date_gmt":"2025-12-07T14:40:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/?p=72966"},"modified":"2025-12-07T09:41:42","modified_gmt":"2025-12-07T14:41:42","slug":"i-will-forever-be-grateful-psychology-student-kristopher-ware-finds-opportunity-and-mentorship-at-utc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.utc.edu\/news\/2025\/12\/i-will-forever-be-grateful-psychology-student-kristopher-ware-finds-opportunity-and-mentorship-at-utc\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cI will forever be grateful\u201d: Psychology student Kristopher Ware finds opportunity and mentorship at UTC\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"A

Kristopher Ware will graduate from UTC on Dec. 13, 2025, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Photo by Nyomi Erawoc.<\/p><\/div>\n

Kristopher Ware can trace much of his growth at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to the conversations that happened after class.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When he earns his bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology, Ware will carry with him the confidence built through his accomplishments, the power of mentorship and a deep appreciation for his field.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGoing back to when I was young, I always had a passion for helping people,\u201d said Ware, who will cross the McKenzie Arena stage on Saturday, Dec. 13. \u201cI was always the person, the friend who was checking on my other friends, giving people advice and stuff like that. I really just had a passion for mental health as a whole.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

====================================================<\/p>\n

Click here for more UTC Commencement 2025 stories<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

====================================================<\/p>\n

A transfer student from Cumberland University, located just outside of his hometown of Nashville, Ware came to UTC in 2022 knowing what he wanted to pursue, but unsure of where it would take him.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That feeling didn\u2019t last long. In his first semester on campus, he took <\/span>Assistant Professor of Sociology<\/span> Darrell Walsh\u2019s \u201cMarriage and the Family\u201d course.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter every single class, I would stay after and we would just talk,\u201d Ware said. \u201cThe material we talked about in that class just really stood out to me.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI always<\/span> wanted to have different conversations, and I\u2019m a natural debater. Really, that was the class that made me decide I wanted to go into marriage and family therapy and get my master\u2019s in that.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Noticing Ware\u2019s passion, Walsh encouraged him to pursue research opportunities. Ware was hesitant, but he found guidance in Walsh and <\/span>Department of Psychology Lecturer<\/span> Michael Duncan Overton.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ware said he pitched a research idea to Overton.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just picking his brain and he ended up really taking me under his wing,\u201d Ware said. \u201cWe had a lot of long days and long nights.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cResearch wasn\u2019t something that came naturally to me. I had one of those moments that\u2019s like, \u2018Why am I able to have this opportunity compared to everyone else?\u2019 It was kind of an out-of-body experience in the sense of being just a kid from Nashville coming down here to this humongous campus.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In his research, Ware wanted to explore why there may be reluctance among young Black men to seek mental health services.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was trying to figure out why it is that there\u2019s such a stigma around mental health within men\u2014specifically within Black men\u2014in regard to seeking it out,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He conducted both qualitative and quantitative studies and identified several themes from his survey questions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For the question \u201cAs a child, did you feel comfortable talking about your emotions?\u201d the theme was disempowerment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For \u201cDuring your childhood, do you believe the socioeconomic status of your family impacted your family\u2019s approach to mental health?\u201d the theme was scarcity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For \u201cHow comfortable did you feel talking about your emotions with your family?\u201d themes included turmoil, hopelessness, guilt, uncertainty and being unsafe.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For \u201cDo you believe therapy and counseling are beneficial?\u201d the most common themes were money and judgment.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Analyzing the data was only part of the experience; understanding what participants meant was the real lesson.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSitting down with Dr. Overton and just being able to look through the responses and say, \u2018OK, what\u2019s the overall theme of this?\u2019 Then dissecting what participants are responding to and being able to decipher the underlying tone of what they were saying was one of the very cool parts of the entire process,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Kristopher

From left: Dr. Darrell Walsh, Kristopher Ware, Dr. Lori Waite and Trinity Anthony at the Black Doctoral Network Conference in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Darrell Walsh.<\/p><\/div>\n

The research, which started as a test of his own abilities, turned into an opportunity to take it further than he ever thought possible: on a plane and to a national conference.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In October, Ware was one of two UTC students chosen to attend the Black Doctoral Network Conference in Los Angeles thanks to support from the Office for Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavor (URaCE).\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ware and junior art history student <\/span>Trinity Anthony<\/span><\/b><\/a>, accompanied by Walsh and Associate Lecturer of Sociology Lori Waite, presented their research alongside scholars and professionals from across the country.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The trip was Ware\u2019s first time on a plane.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy mom and my sister, they were just joking with me so much because I kept texting them like, \u2018OK, this is what\u2019s happening now,\u2019\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once in Los Angeles, Ware was quickly awed by the experience.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was special being around other Black scholars who are doing exactly the same thing I\u2019m doing,\u201d he said. \u201cThere were psychology majors, sociology majors, science, engineering scholars there … It was a really cool experience.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, presenting his work at a national conference brought a different kind of pressure. Ware said he felt comfortable speaking in front of people, but this time was different.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely had a lot of nerves,\u201d he recalled. \u201cI was thinking to myself, \u2018I\u2019m new to this. This is my first big thing.\u2019\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He worked through those nerves, though, answering the judges\u2019 questions and listening to their feedback. He wasn\u2019t sure how his presentation stacked up against others, so he decided to skip the awards presentation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDr. Walsh told me, \u2018Hey, you got third place overall, and you also got the award for most outstanding research,\u2019\u201d Ware said. \u201cI did not expect that at all. I just broke down in tears.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that people were able to see what this research is about\u2014that meant the most to me. Men\u2019s mental health doesn\u2019t get talked about nearly enough. I want to be one of the people who helps break that stigma down.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Kristopher

Kristopher Ware (left) and Dr. Darrell Walsh at the Black Doctoral Network Conference in Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of Darrell Walsh.<\/p><\/div>\n

Walsh said that watching Ware step into research so thoroughly and so quickly was a rewarding moment in his career.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKristopher Ware is what all of us as faculty members really appreciate and enjoy. Students who are real critical thinkers, ones that love to learn, they seek you out,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cWhen I first met him, I saw just an incredible young man with good character who was real studious.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Walsh<\/span> recalled the long conversations after class, the walks around campus discussing theories, and the way Ware engaged with the material. To see him win at the conference, Walsh said, felt like watching a student step fully into his potential.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor Dr. Waite and me, we really enjoyed that experience because both of those students were so engaging,\u201d he said. \u201cWe like to be able to interact with students who love the material. And then they go and present it\u2014and he wins.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For Ware, the support he received from Walsh and Overton meant the world.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think the biggest misconception college students have is thinking they should stay in the background and not talk to their professors,\u201d Ware said. \u201cI took a different approach. If I\u2019m paying all this money, I\u2019m going to talk my professors\u2019 ears off.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a goal that Ware took seriously.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith Dr. Walsh, our relationship has grown so much that he\u2019s probably going to be at my wedding one day,\u201d he said. \u201cHe\u2019s a second father figure to me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ware shared that Overton spent multiple hours a week helping him with his research.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLittle things like that can tell you a lot about a person,\u201d Ware said. \u201cI will forever be grateful to him, and he\u2019s helped a lot.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoth of them have definitely become a humongous blessing for me.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Overton returned the appreciation. Despite only knowing Ware for a year-and-a-half, Overton said he has left an impressionable mark.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHe has demonstrated a drive that is unique to only a handful of students that I have had the pleasure of interacting with over the past 13 years,\u201d Overton said. \u201cBy drive, I don\u2019t mean motivation. He has plenty of motivation. I mean that he has a clear image and goal of who he is, wants to be, and how to get there.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a student, he has never been afraid to ask questions and has had a unique capability to synthesize the material of class into his experiences and future goals. I am so happy to see Mr. Ware graduate but also sad to know that he won’t be in any of my classes.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As for future goals, Ware has already made major strides.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shortly after returning from Los Angeles, Ware accepted a position as a care manager with Mental Health Cooperative in Chattanooga. He starts Dec. 15, just two days after commencement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a care manager, Ware will work with youth and families to help them access mental health resources and navigate difficult moments.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, starting out working with youth\u2014that\u2019s something I\u2019m really excited about,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ware added that he plans to start his graduate studies while working full-time, but he will always be thankful for his UTC experience and the people who helped shape it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI think it has definitely been one of the biggest blessings in my life,\u201d he said. \u201cEverything worked out the way it was supposed to … Coming down here, I was able to flourish academically, and I was able to make amazing connections with people that I\u2019ll have for the rest of my life. It\u2019s been an awesome experience.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Learn more<\/h4>\n

Visit UTC<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UTC Department of Psychology<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UTC Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Geography<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UTC URaCE<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How to apply<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Kristopher Ware can trace much of his growth at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to the conversations that happened after class. When he earns his bachelor\u2019s degree in psychology, Ware will carry with him the confidence built through his accomplishments, the power of mentorship and a deep appreciation for his field. <\/p>\n

Continue Reading <\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2000,"featured_media":72973,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_slider":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_featurette":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[661,70,15,61,7712,8244,64,286,48007,126322,124930,123696],"tags":[126449,7223,125515,123827,126447,123000,126446,122422,126450,126448,124776,123829,126201],"class_list":{"0":"post-72966","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-academics","8":"category-campus","9":"category-college-of-arts-sciences","10":"category-faculty-and-staff","11":"category-honors-and-awards","12":"category-news","13":"category-psychology","14":"category-research-academics","15":"category-sociology-anthropology-and-geography","16":"category-students","17":"category-transfer-students","18":"category-urace","19":"tag-black-doctoral-network-conference","20":"tag-commencement","21":"tag-commencement-2025","22":"tag-creating-the-mocs-experience","23":"tag-cumberland-university","24":"tag-darrell-walsh","25":"tag-kristopher-ware","26":"tag-lori-waite","27":"tag-mental-health-cooperative","28":"tag-michael-overton","29":"tag-mocs-learn-mocs-do-mocs-lead","30":"tag-operating-with-excellence","31":"tag-trinity-anthony","32":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n\u201cI will forever be grateful\u201d: Psychology student Kristopher Ware finds opportunity and mentorship at UTC\u00a0 | UTC News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Kristopher Ware can trace much of his growth at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to the conversations that happened after class. 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