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Janice Adelman
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Ebere Iweriebor:
Improving Children's Foster Care & Examining Meth Use Among Immigrant Workers
“I’ve always loved children, and wanted to aid in their betterment,” says first-year Master’s student Ebere Iweriebor. “The foster care system was originally meant to be a safe outlet for those children who are neglected, abused and psychologically scarred within their current homes. Now it’s a system where children are still scarred and hurting without proper care and adults being involved for their own personal gain. As I’ve studied psychology and been exposed to the child welfare system, I am convinced that there is a need for change. I might be idealistic, but children who are suffering in these ways within the foster care system aren’t lost causes. If they had the proper care and opportunities they too will be able to thrive, and not be slaves to their circumstances.”
Ebere admits she doesn’t have all the answers yet, but as she explores the issues in her M.A. program in Developmental Psychology and Evaluation, Ebere is learning where a difference can be made. “I have never wanted to be within the political arena, but I know I want to learn more about policy and understand how it can be used so that -- when I am in my chosen field, be it in the non-profit sector or possibly as a professor -- I can do work that will be used to make the kind of improvements necessary for all youth in need.”
While she explores ways to fulfill her original passion, Ebere is finding other exciting avenues in psychology that had not originally been a part of her plan. Working in a hands-on group project for Dr. Jason Siegel’s course on Survey Research has led her to explore why methamphetamines are on the rise in California’s immigrant worker population, along with Health Behavior students Erin Obrien and Hannah Stern. “The project was originally Erin and Hannah’s baby,” she explains, “But it’s an important and exciting question. Not much research is done on the immigrant worker population. The scary thing is seeing that they’re using methamphetamines just to stay awake—not for recreational uses, as it most commonly used. They’re working multiple jobs and using it to fulfill a need, not just for the high. Think about when the crystal meth craze started. Large percentages of towns in the Midwest were taken over by this drug, and that was just its effect on casual users. The effect on low-income immigrant workers is staggering.” The impact of this project means it also has a high potential for publication, an impressive advantage for a Master’s student in her first year of study. “Dr. Siegel said from the outset that the goal of the class is to have seven projects resulting in seven publications. I think we have an excellent shot at it.”
Ebere did not come directly to graduate school after her B.A. Three years working for an insurance company after finishing her undergrad degree taught her an important lesson: “Never work in a field where you’re not doing something that you love. And I did not love homeowner’s insurance! Things can’t always be done just for the money.” Her short stint in the working world led Ebere to return to school. She’s enjoying her time in Claremont, and admits that the geography doesn’t hurt. “I was admitted to Hunter College as well. But I chose Claremont, even though I was excited to go to New York. Let’s face it—it’s March, and we’re wearing shorts! You can’t beat that.”
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Ia Ko
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How to Apply to CGU
