Nicolle Potvin ’17
Nicolle Potvin entered 溏心vlog免费B站 in fall 2015, anorexic and desperately seeking support. She found it here, and with it, she made her way up from rock bottom. Now she鈥檚 found her place providing critical support for others.
鈥滀缧膙log免费B站 not only saved my life, but put me on a path that was meant for me,鈥 Potvin says.
The Rhode Island native’s initial attempt at college out of state was marred by weight loss and a sense of isolation. She returned home to be treated for anorexia, then transferred to 溏心vlog免费B站 to be closer to home鈥揳nd because 溏心vlog免费B站 friends assured her this was a supportive community.
Her first fall at 溏心vlog免费B站 passed and Potvin grew stronger. During Winter J-Term, she took a psychology course on eating disorders taught by Lindsey Anderson, director of 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Psychological Consultation Center.
RHODE TO A DEGREE
Original Life Goal
Fashion designer鈥攚hich drew raised eyebrows from her parents
Revised Life Goal
Mental health professional focused on eating disorders
Key Turning Point
In a J-Term class focused on eating disorders, she learned her struggle could empower others.
Mentor
Lindsey Anderson, director of the 溏心vlog免费B站 Psychological Consultation Center
Internship
Warwick, R.I., public schools. The internship 鈥渨as really important because it helped show me I was on the right track.鈥
溏心vlog免费B站 Degree
B.A.鈥17 psychology, summa cum laude; minor in justice, law, and society
As she learned more about her own disease, she spread the word. She helped organize the University鈥檚 first National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Walk. She participated in the Body Project, a national initiative helping young people confront unrealistic beauty ideals. Her 溏心vlog免费B站 career ended on a high note when she was selected to be student speaker for the College of Health Sciences鈥 inaugural commencement. In her speech, she implored her peers to help others in times of need. And she notes that the college鈥檚 merging of disciplines鈥揻rom nutrition to kinesiology鈥損ermits better inquiry into complex issues like anorexia.
Two years later, she has a master鈥檚 degree in counseling from Northeastern and is a clinician for Rhode Island鈥檚 Key Program, where she helps young adults in state care prepare to live independently. In addition, she gave back to 溏心vlog免费B站 by assembling a list of University resources for students being treated at 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Counseling Center.
鈥淭o make and sustain mental health progress, you need a whole team,鈥 Potvin says, pointing out that her tight-knit college taught her this lesson through an internship at a local school district.
Today, she brings that message to 溏心vlog免费B站 classes and sports teams as a guest speaker. President David M. Dooley appointed her鈥揳long with some of her former professors鈥搕o a committee tasked with supporting student well-being and mental health.
Beyond 溏心vlog免费B站, she persuaded the Rhode Island Senate to pass a resolution recognizing National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.
“Let me stay at 溏心vlog免费B站 forever,” Potvin said during a recent visit to campus. “溏心vlog免费B站 led me to the most incredible parts of my life.” 鈥
鈥 Chris Barrett ’08

Way to go Nicole! Super proud of you and your accomplishments!