Alumni Profiles

Jan Herrick, 2005
(Jan is an artist, photographer, educator and writer. She is an avid traveler and has lived in many parts of the U.S. and the world, and currently resides in Orlando, FL.  Her interest in the wisdom of ancient culture has influenced her art and writing and prompted the founding of Stone Circle, a national organization devoted to women’s spirituality.)

What are you doing now?  

I work with Stone Circle, a non-profit organization for women. I facilitate many of the gatherings and monthly discussions, and so much of what I learned in the MA in Transpersonal Psychology [MATP] translates directly to what I do, what I present, and how I interact with the women. I also stay connected to my work as an artist and photographer, and I think that even this is influenced by my expanded vision, involvement and evolution through transpersonal psychology. 

I also have maintained a working status with Naropa by continuing on as a Teaching Assistant for two of the MATP courses. This is my fifth year, and I hope to stay on in this capacity as long as I am needed. I love the interaction with the students and sometimes mentor them outside of class. This interaction is very gratifying and I think very helpful.       

What career or study options opened up for you with this MA in Transpersonal Psychology?  

I think that my study continues as I work with the evolving material in the Transpersonal Service Learning course, which expands and adds new material regularly. I feel I am learning along with the students and am being challenged in service to my own community as well. All this new and expanding knowledge gets passed on via my interactions with everyone and everything I do here where I live and work.  

How have you continued to weave transpersonal psychology into your life since graduating?   

Transpersonal psychology is woven into almost every aspect of my life. I very rarely find that it does not in some way balance, serve or challenge me, continually influencing my daily life. It has gotten me through the good times and also supported me in the most difficult transition of my life. The key concepts of transpersonal psychology have given me tools for more conscious living in every moment.  

Looking back, what changes, personally and professionally, did you experience from the MA program?  

The changes were more profound than I ever could have imagined. The MA helped me make decisions about my work, that resulted in me leaving my former employment to dedicate myself to work that I felt was more in keeping with my calling and purpose. I know that I have changed for the better personally. I feel more confident in myself and in sharing my gifts in service to the larger community. The degree has given voice to who I really am. As an individual, I better envision myself as one with others, an intrinsic part of the whole.

Robert Wood, 2005
(Robert is a lawyer, Ph.D. candidate, and vision quest guide, living in Salt Lake City, UT.)

What are you doing now?

I am just completing my Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. I just defended my thesis and expect to receive my degree this year. The topic of my dissertation involved modern wilderness rites of passage quests. Once or twice a year I co-guide such quests with another graduate of Naropa.

For my “day job” I utilize my training as a lawyer, MBA, CPA to consult for early stage, usually high tech, start-up companies. I help them with organizational and operational challenges, but mostly I help them with financing. I also consult for venture capital firms who have many start-up companies in their investment portfolios.

What career or study options opened up for you with this MA in Transpersonal Psychology?

As I mentioned above, a couple of years after receiving my MA in Transpersonal Psychology from Naropa, I applied for and was accepted into ITP’s Ph.D. program with  “advanced standing,” which meant that I entered the program as a third year student in a five-year program. ITP holds a degree from Naropa in high regard, and I found that I had a solid basis in transpersonal psychology that provided a strong building block for my continued studies in the subject.

I have been invited by ITP to apply for a teaching position in its Master’s program. It has been my intention to continue my involvement with the scholastic aspects of transpersonal psychology. The position at ITP is part-time, and it will allow me to fulfill my intention.

How have you continued to weave transpersonal psychology into your life since graduating?

The study of transpersonal psychology has been constantly in my life since graduating from Naropa, not only with my formal education at ITP but in my “day job” as well. I am pretty well known for my “strange” ideas in a town like Salt Lake City that has a way of thinking dominated by the predominate religion. I believe that my understanding of transpersonal psychology and my willingness to share it with my clients have been helpful to those clients, particularly in difficult economic situations. I often explain that the goals of a company should include much more than just being profitable and should include providing opportunities for the founding entrepreneurs and the employees to continue on a path of self actualization.

Looking back, what changes, personally and professionally, did you experience from the MA program?

It’s hard not to get emotional about my answer to this question. I am very grateful for the changes in my life that were started or accelerated by my experience at Naropa. It launched what I hope is an academic career in the field and has provided me with a sustaining perspective on all aspects of my life.

John Ehrhart
MA Transpersonal Psychology, 2005

When John finished Naropa’s MA in Transpersonal Psychology in 2005, he continued to manage a successful land surveying business, Integral Surveying, Inc., that he had built over fourteen years, but he also began to move his life in new directions. He has developed two companies focused on transpersonal psychology. One is called Restorative Divorce, and the other is called Open Path, whose purpose is to support self-awareness trainings. John serves now as restorative justice facilitator for both the Boulder County Sheriff’s Department and the Town of Erie Police Department. In addition, he provides meditation instruction for the Prison Dharma Network at both the Boulder County Jail and Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center.

John’s MA program led him to complete a certificate with the Colorado Peacemaker Institute and undergo leadership training with the Integral Institute.

John has been married for fifteen years and has four children. He is a singer-songwriter, coaches soccer, and enjoys camping in the wilderness with his children, mountain climbing, mountain biking, skiing and philosophizing. He is informed greatly by his meditation practice and the daily practice of being in relationship. He brings qualities of openness, acceptance, equanimity and humor to his work.

Donna Karaba
MA Transpersonal Psychology, 2005

Prior to coming to Naropa, Donna admits: “From the outside, I had a pretty successful career in the corporate world. On the inside, I was disappointed, feeling like I was faking it, often unable to put my heart and soul into my work, disconnected from my true self, unsure of my passion and how to express it at work. Finally, I gave myself a gift of the [low residency] Transpersonal Psychology degree at Naropa. Naropa helped me find my true self. I feel that I am successful now, and can claim that honorably. My heart and soul are most definitely in my work as well as the rest of my life. I am feeling independent and much more spiritually connected and on track with what I have to bring to the world than ever before. I had sought financial security, not knowing that passion was the way.”

“I am working as an executive coach and enjoying this very much. I find that bringing spirit back to business is my mission now. How can we bring more passion to people's lives and especially the many who feel they aren't able, or don't know quite how, to find or express their passion at work? They may be "successful" but not happy or fulfilled. By working with leaders, I felt I could not only make a living doing what I love, but have a profound impact on many by working at the top of the organization and counting on the ripple effect.”

“I feel I have come close to accomplishing my personal mission which was to find my calling and demonstrate to my children that true happiness can be found by following your heart/passion and doing what you love. Naropa helped me take two giant steps in that direction. I am deeply grateful for being part of such a soulful program.”

“After being a teaching assistant at Naropa for two semesters, I decided to teach yoga at Miami University in Oxford, OH as my community service. I truly learned the value of service work. I worked with "Leadershape" students at Miami on keeping their vision alive by putting together a coaching program for their "Staying in Action" initiative. This program included group council practice and individual coaching.”

Subsequent to her degree, Donna put together a workshop called Work? I Thought I Was Playing!  “I am learning and sharing more about organizational actualization, the power of the imagination, and leading with love and logic. These are topics I plan to take out to the world and develop. I am placing interviews I have done and will continue to do on
my website at entitled "Dialogues with Authentic Leaders."

“Meditation continues to be a love I have and something some of my clients find useful.”