Because sometimes people will love you without you really knowing it. And you turn, and they gone and you never got a chance to really feel or interact with that love." "People don't know that drug addicts, they form packs," McClelland continued, "and out of my pack, I'm the only one still living."
a Nina Scholar, a National Society of Leadership and Success member, and works in Student Life. After obtaining her associate's in health services, McClelland will stay on at Ivy Tech to earn certifications in addiction services, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship. McClelland says she couldn't imagine continuing her education at any other institution. Especially an institution that would be as patient with her as Ivy Tech has proven to be. After being in the hospital for 121 days with COVID-19 in 2020, McClelland has suffered extreme post-COVID symptoms like shortness of breath and memory loss ever since. Which, of course, makes getting to classes and studying a challenge. "I've had to utilize my resources, like TRIO. And I have four tutors," McClelland said. McClelland's dream is to open at least 10 recovery centers and homes in Indiana, where drug overdose deaths have been on the rise for nearly two decades. "The facilities here in Indiana are basically jail or mental hospitals," McClelland said. "We recover through skill and passion," McClelland continued. "I want you to open up – go to the art room, go to the dance room. I want you to sing if you have to, paint if you have to, garden, play with animals, and bring your children. I want to be able to have rooms for my clients to where, hey, if one weekend you completed all your programs, have the kids over. Let them spend the night," she continued. "So when you do leave, you're already acclimated to the outside."
" I vy T ech ha s bee n m y pl a t f orm to g ro w a n d su cceed ."
McClelland obtained her high school diploma after graduating from The Excel Center in May 2021. Finishing high school wasn't something she ever thought she'd do, much less attend college. "I mean, my whole entire life, I've used drugs. I never thought I was good enough," McClelland said. "It felt so good ... I'm telling you, it felt so good to graduate high school." So, when Summer Gooding, assistant director of admissions and recruiting at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis, approached McClelland at her graduation, wondering what her next move was, McClelland didn't have an answer for her. She was too busy trying to take in the fact she had just achieved a diploma, something she never thought would be attainable. McClelland now describes the moment Gooding approached her with an opportunity to attend Ivy Tech as "the best thing that has ever happened to me." By August 2021, McClelland was enrolled at Ivy Tech Indy to study health services. And she has taken full advantage of every opportunity presented to her as she is now
26 | Ivy Indy
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