Alumna Catherine Tucker (EdS 2005, PhD 2007, school counseling and guidance) traveled to Thailand and Cambodia last month to learn about human trafficking as part of her clinical and research work on children who have experienced trauma.
Catherine Tucker, right, poses with Davy Chun, a Destiny Rescue staff member in Kampong Cham, Cambodia. (Photo courtesy of Maria Grant)
Tucker graduated from the University of Florida’s College of Education in 2005 with a specialist in education degree and in 2007 with a Ph.D., both in school counseling and guidance. Now, she is an assistant professor and the coordinator of the clinical mental health counseling program at Indiana State University.
Tucker spent two weeks overseas with Destiny Rescue, an international nonprofit organization that helps children leave the sex trade by providing them with counseling, career training, housing and income.
She plans to return to Thailand and Cambodia in May with a group of students from Indiana State, who will also be researching and learning about human trafficking.
“If every person lived his or her life as if they could impact the evils and wrongs of the world instead of waiting for someone else to do it, imagine the impact that would have,” Tucker told Indiana State University. “Human trafficking is a global problem, but everyone can do something.”
Indiana State University’s Jennifer Sicking documented Tucker’s journey to Thailand and Cambodia in an online article.