Christan L. Manning, originally from Oakland City, spent her adolescence and young adulthood in Winslow, Indiana, where she was surrounded by substance and alcohol use. "I began my personal battle with substances at age 10 and remained there until April 14, 2010," she says. "That Wednesday would mark the start of a whole new life for me. I am coming upon 15 years now in recovery. Taking that one first step was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my life."
Manning wants others to have the support and resources that she didn't have to begin her journey into sobriety. "Navigating this new recovery process alone, without anyone’s support or resources, is something I promised I would keep others from having to experience," she says. "I was called to be a social worker and to work with those struggling with substance use disorders."
She will graduate from USI with her bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) in May 2025 and begin working towards her master's in social work (MSW) that same month. Eventually, she plans to get her LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor).
A resident of Mount Carmel, Illinois since 2011, she currently works as an intern in a rural health department, serving those in need and working with those in treatment for substance use.
Q&A with Christan
What was your first experience with AHEC Scholars?
AHEC, for me, was an accident. I was in my first year of my BSW program and looking for grants and scholarships, etc. I had received an email from Krista Kercher, telling me about the program and how to join. I liked what I had read and went to speak with her about it. Krista was so excited about what AHEC was and stood for, and she was genuine, intelligent and kind beyond measure. Finding AHEC is what some may consider “accidental,” but I do not believe there are any true accidents. I was meant to become an AHEC Scholar, and so I became a part of the 2023-25 cohort. The rest is history.
Describe your experience with AHEC Scholars.
I have gotten so much more knowledge, skills and opportunities from becoming an AHEC Scholar than I had ever thought. I was able to engage with a more medical side of social work and was given an infinite number of perspectives. The didactic opportunity was more than I could ever hope for and was coincidently aligned with the work I was doing in my other classes. This deepened and enriched my learning process, giving me a look at the topics and subjects at hand on a more personal level. The didactic lessons dug deeper into the subject matter, really instilling the purpose, and meaning of the subject we were learning. Pairing that with real life, hands-on community engagement, really brought it all together. I was not only taught a lesson, and was able to further my understanding of it, but could get real life experiences to go with it. I was able to put the information into action.
There just isn’t anything else like it. I have been to school for many different subjects and have never experienced such an enriching way to supplement my degree. The wonderful thing is that not only did the program help me to supplement my schooling, but it gave me real-life experiences that helped me become a better person and a better social worker. Becoming an AHEC Scholar has given me a new perspective of life, enriching my communication skills, boosting my confidence, deepening my compassion and empathy, and guiding me to a better way of connecting with my clients, families, communities and the organizations that I will serve, to better the lives of all whom I have the pleasure of helping.
Why should students apply for the AHEC Scholars program?
I tell all of my classmates and advisors and facilitators about how AHEC changes the minds and hearts of all who have joined. The people I met, the experiences I was able to be a part of, and the abundance of knowledge is second to none. It doesn’t cost a thing, and your time that’s put in for the community engagement is compensated! The stipend is just the icing on the cake. I was able to attend conferences, network with so many caring and compassionate people, and gain such a vast array of knowledge that I wouldn’t have had an opportunity to receive if not for AHEC.
I think what I gained and was grateful for the most is that I was able to learn not only through the eyes of a social worker, but also through the eyes of the other healthcare students with different majors in our cohort. This ability to see the information, interventions, solutions, similarities and differences, and uniqueness that we all brought to the conversation was something I have never had before. There are so many styles and ideas, perspectives and professions I was able to learn with and learn from, that it opened my eyes about how I see things and how I see others. This unique, one-of-a-kind way to learn is the most satisfying experience I have ever had in an educational setting. Seeing the same material through so many professions gave me such an immeasurable way to perceive how I will find answers, come up with solutions, care for my clients, and pursue my interventions. I am so beyond grateful that I was given this opportunity to learn through being an AHEC Scholar, and I have never been prouder.
Anything else you want to add?
I just wanted to add a heartfelt “Thank you” to all of those who made this possible for me, especially Krista Kercher and Jane Friona. You made sure I was on the right track, that I was afforded every opportunity that was available, that I felt needed and useful, that I was encouraged and applauded at every success, and that I always had someone I could depend on, in my success and times of doubt. I will forever be grateful I am an AHEC Scholar and am so thankful for all you do. You have made a difference in my life, as being an AHEC Scholar has made me a better social work professional.