Bonnie Lillis

The convenience of the One-Day-A-Week Saturday College opened the doors for Bonnie Lillis ’05 to succeed in a fulfilling career as a counselor, aiding individuals who are receiving end-of-life care.

Encouraged by her supervisor at the State of Connecticut’s Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Bonnie enrolled in the One-Day program in 2002 to pursue her degree in psychology. “For me, the Saturday program was the only option,” said Bonnie. “It was the one day a week in which I could find time in my schedule for my education.”

Bonnie credits her Bay Path education and the support she received from faculty and most importantly, her peers, for giving her the confidence to shift careers from an administrative assistant for vocational counselors to becoming a counselor providing direct care to individuals in need. “Bay Path prepared me well, not only for my graduate studies, but for my career,” said Bonnie. “I developed confidence in my writing, research, and public speaking skills, all of which are necessary to succeed in counseling.”

Following graduation in 2005, Bonnie served as a vocational counselor with Easter Seals, but she soon found her true calling as she pursued a graduate degree from St. Joseph College in West Hartford. While completing her master of arts in community counseling with a focus on pastoral counseling, Bonnie learned of an opportunity working with hospice patients through McLean Home in Simsbury, CT.

“After speaking with a hospice employee, I knew it was the counseling field I had been searching for,” said Bonnie. “Today, I’m in a position that enables me to provide spiritual and grief counseling and take care of the needs of those who need it most. It is truly a privilege for me to help my patients and their families through this very difficult time in their lives.”

In addition to her work at McLean Home, Bonnie provides fee-for-service counseling through the Community Mental Health Affiliates in New Britain, CT.