Laura applied to Ithaca College to pursue Journalism at the Park School of Communications. By the end of her first semester, Laura struggled to find community among her Journalism peers and did not find the major’s curriculum engaging. Laura considered leaving Ithaca College, until she was introduced to the Gerontology Institute. An acquaintance told Laura about Intro to Gerontology with Dr. Patricia Lynott. “GeroWHAT?” Laura asked. She took her first gerontology class and the rest is history. Brian Karafin, who taught religion and transpersonal psychology, also mentored Laura. His classes influenced Laura’s spiritual practice and the way she approaches altered states of consciousness, including dementia.