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For Brittany Rinehart, helping others isn’t just a career, it’s a calling.

A 2019 graduate of 51���� Chillicothe, Rinehart earned her Associate of Applied Science in Human Services Technology with a clear mission: to make a difference in her community.

“I’ve always wanted to help people in our community,” Rinehart said. “The day I went to OHIO Chillicothe for a tour and to pick my degree, (Professors) Barbara Mahaffey and Mary Jane Preece helped me realize that this was the degree for me.”

As a student in the Human Services Technology program, Rinehart gained practical experience through volunteer work and a practicum at Chillicothe’s Assistance House, where she found fulfillment from helping others.

Today, Rinehart works as a paraprofessional at Unioto Elementary School, where she supports students with disabilities.

“What is rewarding to me is that my student last year in kindergarten will not need one-on-one support in first grade,” she said. “I feel good knowing I helped him through his struggles throughout the year.”

In addition to her work in the classroom, Rinehart recently started a part-time role at the Pioneer Center, where she advocates for individuals with disabilities and raises awareness for the hearing-impaired community.

Commitment to serving others

Dr. Preece, who coordinates the Human Service Technology program, noticed Rinehart’s commitment to the well-being of others even in her early days at OHIO Chillicothe.

“She embodies the true spirit of community, and it is no surprise that she has continued her commitment to serving others, fostering connections, and advocating for others in the Chillicothe community,” Preece said

Rinehart’s passion for advocacy is deeply personal. Rinehart, who was born deaf, relied on lip reading for much of her early life, but her deafness went undiagnosed until her freshman year of high school.

“Children’s Hospital said they didn’t know how I made it without sitting on the teacher’s lap to hear anything,” she recalled.

Equipped with a diagnosis, Rinehart was able to access an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) that allowed her extra time and a reader during testing at school.

Her life changed dramatically during college when she received a MAXUM implant, a cutting-edge cochlear device. She said that before receiving the implant, she experienced difficulties with test-taking and other aspects of her academic life. The improved hearing she experienced with the implant helped her feel more confident in the classroom.

“I’m the youngest in the world who has this device and the most improved from it,” she said. “This device is a blessing, and it helped me during my college years by giving me more confidence.”

OHIO Chillicothe provided support, helped to build her confidence

At OHIO Chillicothe, one of Rinehart’s accommodations was a recording pen, which allowed her to take notes that could be downloaded to her computer to help with studying.

Despite the challenges of taking time off from school to recover from surgery, Rinehart returned to complete her degree.

Rinehart credits her professors, Mahaffey and Preece, with helping her build the confidence she needed to succeed.

“They helped me build confidence in test-taking and ensured I was successful in my college career,” she said.

Now Rinehart leverages her personal experience, along with her education and skills, to help others with hearing impairment or other disabilities.