Posted October 21, 2025 in Alumni Profile
We recently caught up with 2019 alum, Ines Nouafo, to hear about life after Lawrence! We chatted with Ines about earning her bachelor’s degree at John Carroll University before pursuing her Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She shared how Lawrence gave her the confidence to stand firmly in who she is and adapt to be successful. She reflected on her favorite memories, the importance of time management and advocacy, and the feeling of returning to Upper School to give an alumni talk.
Since graduating from Lawrence, what have you been up to?
After Lawrence, I attended John Carroll University and earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a concentration in child and family studies. I then began my Master’s program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I’m currently in my third year and plan on graduating in August 2026! My ultimate goal is to enter a doctoral program for Clinical Psychology, and I’m exploring a lot of schools on the East Coast.
How did Lawrence help prepare you for college?
Lawrence helped the most with accommodations and accessibility. They gave us this binder that was not only a map of the college campus but also explained exactly where to go to access accessibility services, where different resources were, and most importantly, how to advocate for yourself. It even provided a sample email, which was so helpful.
What were some of your favorite memories from Lawrence?
The extracurriculars were the best! I was part of a few musicals, including Cinderella and Legally Blonde the Musical. I was also on the swim team, and the memories from that were some of my favorites.
How did your experiences and relationships at Lawrence shape who you are today?
They gave me the confidence to stand firmly in who I am. I know that yes, I might have a learning difference, but it doesn't define my future or how I’ll be in life. I can choose to either let that define me or actively work with it to be successful.”
What specific skills or habits did you learn that you find yourself using daily?
Time management, especially. When I first started college, I thought, “Oh, I don’t need this structure.” But then I quickly learned that I do need that structure and organization. Color-coding is also very helpful and something I picked up. That experience quickly taught me how much I was missing out on when I didn't use any structure. And then the advocacy piece. Those two are definitely the main ones.
What advice would you give to a new Lawrence student?
Take the time to explore what you’re good at, and also try things you’re not so good at—and learn how to work with that. In those periods of trial and error, you really get to discover who you are, what you like, and what you don’t. That is so helpful, especially when you get to college, so you know how to better approach certain opportunities or challenges.
Also, talk to the teachers outside of class. That was most impactful and helpful for me. The teachers are there to help, so let them know what you’re interested in or if you’re struggling. Lastly, join clubs. You never know what opportunities you’ll get out of that. It opens doors for you and teaches you more skills on how to interact with others.
If you could go back in time and give your high school self one piece of advice, what would that be?
I would say that it’s okay to reach out and ask for help. I feel like in high school, I was really hard on myself with things going on in my life outside of school. I wish I’d opened up to my teachers and told them the things I was struggling with. I also want to add that it’s okay to not know what you want to do. Explore what you’re good at, explore what you like, and reach out to people who are in the fields that interest you.
What do you miss most about Lawrence?
The connections I made with the teachers and friends. There were some people I really connected with, and after high school, I wish I had stayed in touch with them.
If you were speaking to a parent considering Lawrence for their child, what’s the most important thing you’d tell them?
Lawrence is a school that tries to give us the best shot, the best opportunities to have a good life. They provide a lot of help with academics, advocacy, structure, and organization. Lawrence has professional people who know what they’re doing. It’s a place you can trust that your kid is in good hands. It takes a village, and they are a good group of people to have on your team.
What was it like to return to campus earlier this school year to give an alumni talk?
It was weird! There have been a lot of changes on campus, and people I knew are in different positions now, but it was fun. I really enjoyed it. I got to say a lot of the things I said here, but one of the things I really advocated for was the kind of kid that doesn't seem like they’re paying attention or focusing in class—because I used to be that kid. My message was: don’t give up on them.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I’m President of the Graduate Student Association, so I like to go to those events to meet people. I always enjoy being on campus. Outside of that, I go to church a lot; I have a knitting group with some of the women there. I love doing things with my hands, so I knit on my own, too.
I also volunteer with an organization called CEO, the Center for Equal Opportunity. It’s a program for people who have been incarcerated and are re-entering society and looking for work. Since I’m getting my counseling degree, the therapist I intern with teaches people there about mental health and how to take care of themselves after being incarcerated and going back into life. It can be stressful, and life is different, especially if you were away for a long time. I really enjoy doing that. I also like swimming and hiking.
What is a personal achievement you’re most proud of?
I would say getting to the point where I am today. I didn’t think I’d be able to get here. I just spoke to the board of directors about what it’s like being a graduate student and what we’re doing on campus. That’s something I'm very proud of. I feel like a few years ago, I wouldn’t have even thought I’d be in a room like that.
Is there a specific person who had a big impact on your journey?
I would say two people. The first would be Ms. Janamanchi, my eleventh-grade English teacher. I didn’t like writing or reading, and she made it interesting. She was very helpful both in and outside of the classroom. The second is Mrs. Galambos, my ASL teacher. Her classroom, like Ms. Janamanchi’s class, was a nice place to go. I was able to feel at peace there.