Auburn College of Education graduate student finds life’s calling through work with EAGLES program

Karli Yarbrough, a graduate student in Auburn University’s College of Education, has discovered her lofty purpose. It was spurred on by the support of two amazing professors and an inspiring group of EAGLES. 

The Sardis, Alabama, native says it was her experience with Auburn’s Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success (EAGLES) program — a comprehensive transition program for students with intellectual disabilities — that set her career aspirations and life’s calling on a different path. 

“I had the privilege of beginning my journey with the EAGLES my junior year when I applied to be a part of Dr. (Betty) Patten’s and Dr. (Christine) Drew's research lab,” Yarbrough said. “This lab focuses on the incoming EAGLES students and skills essential to thriving in the EAGLES program. After the research program ended, I decided that I could not leave the EAGLES just yet. I had found my family.”

As the lab was coming to a close for Yarbrough, a first-generation student, she knew she wanted to continue her interaction with the EAGLES program. 

“So, I begged for a student worker position,” she said, grinning. “After filling out applications and emailing staff once a week, my application was accepted. I was now working with a community I had never worked with before, so I had much to learn. Luckily, Auburn has unique classes and professors who have given me the knowledge to take into my occupational life. I was learning inside and outside the classroom, allowing my skill set to expand and expand quickly.”

A new calling in life

Yarbrough, who completed her bachelor’s degree at Auburn in psychology with a minor in counseling, was well on her way to a new calling in life.

“I was recently accepted into the masters program of Clinical Rehabilitation,” she said. “I had initially applied to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, but I prayed about it, and something felt off. I knew where I was meant to be. EAGLES has changed my education course, my focus for moving forward and the initiatives I want to support and participate in.”

Yarbrough’s initial involvement with EAGLES in the lab began with a focus on incoming freshman to the program, focusing on teaching life skills such as email, self-care and other independent living lessons. Yarbrough said her work with the EAGLES program taught her how to navigate problems and help students search for solutions on their own. Her classroom work, she said, taught her patience and how everyone — with or without a disability — moves at their own pace. 

“This is probably the biggest lesson I took away from the classroom,” she said. “If you expect every student to complete something at the same pace as their peer, then you are setting yourself as well as them up for failure. I would say I took the most lessons I use currently from the research lab and Dr. Christine Drew. The lab helped me find my passion and discover a community that experiences heavy stigmas daily, and I want to be a part of breaking those stigmas and stereotypes. I am now learning information in my graduate program that I plan to use for the rest of my life.”

A remarkable journey

Fast forward to today. Yarbrough now works as a graduate assistant with Patten – the Jay and Susie Gogue Endowed Director of the EAGLES Program and associate clinical professor.

“Karli has been an outstanding member of our team, and her journey with us has been truly remarkable,” Patten said. “She started as a research assistant, then became a student worker and now serves as a graduate assistant. Throughout these roles, Karli has consistently demonstrated her dedication to supporting our students, going above and beyond in every task she takes on. She has a genuine passion for helping others and has been a critical asset to our program.

“Karli’s unwavering commitment, strong work ethic and deep care for the students make her a true standout, both as a professional and as a person. We're incredibly fortunate to have her on our team.”

Going forward, Yarbrough says her career plan is to become a counselor with a private practice focusing primarily on adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities.

“I will have my master’s in clinical rehabilitation counseling, and I will advocate for all people with disabilities,” she said. “Auburn will forever be my home, the EAGLES will forever be my teachers, and I will take all the lessons, the failures and the successes with me wherever I go.”