Avery Cornford always knew she wanted a career in a “helping profession,” but she wasn’t quite sure which one. After visiting Viterbo and meeting with faculty, she discovered the university’s social work program was perfect for her.

As part of her academics, Cornford was able to meet and shadow a La Crosse County social worker (who happened to be a Viterbo alumna) and another professional working at the Salvation Army. These experiences confirmed that her choice of majors was definitely correct.

“I’m very happy at Viterbo,” said Cornford, a junior from Prairie du Chien. “I chose the university because it was only an hour away from home and it has a small town feel. There is also a low student to faculty ratio, which was important to me. The faculty know your first name and want you to succeed.”

Cornford is very involved on campus, serving as an RA, president of the social work club and the Viterbo chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and as a member of the university’s social justice and equity committee. She also has worked as a biology tutor and a mentor in the Academic Resource Center.

“I’ve had tutors myself and I wanted to give back,” she said. “I have really enjoyed mentoring because it’s helped me connect with other first-generation students and build rapport and community, which is an excellent skill to have in social work. As a mentor, I help students adjust to college life, whether it be making them aware of campus resources or just getting together to talk.”

Off campus, Cornford enjoys listening to podcasts (she is a self-described true crime junkie), fishing, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. After graduation next year, she would like to attend graduate school at the University of Wisconsin and eventually work in the area of child welfare for a county or at a government facility.