We Are Medicine

Boado explored her options and decided to come to Washburn to pursue a bachelor of applied science in addiction counseling. She chose Washburn because of its inclusivity and the intimate classroom approach, but it was still a big transition for her. It was a bigger school than she was accustomed to and the first non-tribal school she had attended since she was a small child.

As a nontraditional student, now 31 and raising six children, she also faced challenges balancing her studies with her personal responsibilities. But with the support of the faculty, she excelled.

“I honestly don’t know how she did it,” said Deborah Altus, professor and chair, family and human services. “She was commuting, raising a family, going to school and doing an internship. And the internships are really demanding. She’s able to carry a lot. I don’t know how she was able to pull it off and keep up such a strong GPA. It’s very impressive.”

Although attending Washburn was initially an adjustment, Boado embraced the experience. She eagerly engaged in discussion and shared her perspective as an Indigenous person with her fellow students.

“She brought that experience to class and was able to talk about her tribe, their needs and what it means to serve people from an Indigenous background because they’re going to have different needs and different perspectives,” Altus said. “For someone to be a culturally competent addiction professional, working with a native population, they’re going to have a lot of studying to do if they don’t come from that population to understand the needs of that population.”

Boado graduated with her bachelor’s degree in December of 2023. In recognition of her achievements, she was selected to speak at commencement.

“Today I stand before you as an Indigenous, first-generation graduate, representing not only my personal journey but also the resilience of my community and the strength that comes from embracing one’s cultural roots,” Boado shared in her speech. “My path to this moment has been unique and filled with challenges, but it is a journey I am proud of.”

Her journey now involves pursuing her master of arts in addiction counseling at Washburn. She has recently been named to the prestigious National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program. The fellowship is granted to only 40 master’s degree-level counseling students a year. Recipients are chosen for their knowledge and experience and because they are committed to focusing their work on underserved minority communities. In addition to $15,000 in academic support, the fellowship gives her the opportunity to attend three professional symposiums, including Bridging the Gap, held in March, where she was a speaker.

Although some might be daunted by so many commitments and the challenging nature of the work Boado has chosen for her career and life path, she is unflinching and ambitious.

“She puts her tribe first, and I think that really fits with Washburn’s motto, ‘non nobis solum,’ not for ourselves alone,” Altus said. “She’s all about helping others first, and I find that really beautiful.”

“I’m community first and an individual last,” Boado said.