撸先生

Since transferring to Towson University as a first-generation student in 2015, Nicole Herman has made the most of her opportunities on campus.

She has since earned her bachelor鈥檚 degree in psychology, her master鈥檚 degree in clinical psychology and is getting ready to finish her second year in 撸先生鈥檚 autism studies doctoral program.

It was when she was completing her master鈥檚 degree that she kindled a passion for helping families with children with autism. Herman also has a personal tie to her work.

鈥淢y godson is autistic, and while he has been fortunate to have a good support system, not everyone has that,鈥� she says. 鈥淏eing able to help families gain access to services and support is very important to me.鈥� 

Since 2017, Herman鈥檚 been the research assistant for Karen Eskow, the associate dean for the College of Liberal Arts and a professor in the Department of Family Sciences. Together they鈥檝e continued the Maryland Autism Waiver Research Project.

provides community-based, long-term, person-centered therapeutic services and support to eligible children and youth with autism to enable home and community living as an alternative to institutional care.

鈥淲orking with Dr. Eskow has been so helpful because I鈥檝e really grown as a researcher,鈥� Herman says. 鈥淥ur relationship has changed from me always checking in with her to being more collaborative.鈥�

Helping Maryland families 

Being part of the initial cohort of autism studies doctoral program was a great opportunity for her to explore her professional passion. Now Herman is using her research to develop a case study as part of the studies in the program.

鈥淭elling the story of how many families the waiver has helped is an amazing privilege I hope to truly honor [within this case study],鈥� she says.

Since joining the waiver project, Herman has presented in front of the Maryland Department of Education and at the 2023 American Psychological Association Conference.

鈥淭he families, the Department of Education and everyone we partner with is just so collaborative, and they want to see this waiver be successful,鈥� Herman says. 鈥淲hen I interview people for my case study, they ask me when I鈥檓 going to publish it because they want to see what our research is saying.

鈥淣ot just families but also the professionals providing the services. They know this research makes a difference and hopefully has an impact on the survey of the waiver.鈥�

Herman has been working as a research assistant for Karen Eskow since 2017. By working with Eskow, Herman says she's grown both as a professional but also a researcher. Image credit: Alexander Wright

Stoking student growth

Eskow says helping students to find their passion for research is one of her favorite parts of working at 撸先生.

鈥淭he role I have is about taking students as far as they want to go,鈥� Eskow says. 鈥淭his is truly a partnership. Students like Nicole want to learn and want to grow, and we as professors need to provide them an opportunity.鈥�

Along with working with a professor like Eskow, Herman says an opportunity like this allows her to build relationships with external partners who could be part of her future professional network.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really awesome,鈥� Herman says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about the mentorship, but I鈥檓 making connections with places like the state Department of Education and other professors from around the country. It鈥檚 been a wonderful connection for me. Everyone is very dedicated to helping autistic youth and their families, and I am grateful to be able to support that in any way I can.鈥�