Getting to Know You: Jacob Hartz

Jacob Hartz, USI's newest employee in the Counseling Center, loves kayaking and almost anything outdoors, but you will never find him riding a roller coaster. He loves spending time with family and attending sporting events, and he also has a passion for helping students and his community. Hartz is an Evansville native and a proud graduate of USI. After graduating from Mater Dei High School, he was unsure of what to do with his future, so he spent his first year taking general elective courses at Ivy Tech. "This was one of the best decisions I ever made because it allowed me to find my passion for learning and school in general," he says. 

After a year, Hartz transferred to USI. While majoring in psychology, he was also a part of Student Support Services and the men's track team. "If you look my name up on USI's website, you will most likely see a really awkward picture of me doing high jump," Hartz says. 

After graduating, Hartz dreamt of coming back to the USI community and helping students the way USI helped him. He received his master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Louisville, and then his dream finally came true. He now spends his days providing counseling for students and assisting with trainings within the USI community.  

Let's get to know more about the adventurous, family man who is Jacob Hartz.  

What made you choose USI? 

I chose USI because I wanted to come back and be a part of the USI community. I enjoyed my time here as a student, and I wanted to come back to contribute to the community and help students here who are on and off campus. The professors, administrators and specifically the employees in Student Support Services supported me along my path while I was a student at USI and assisted me in realizing my dream of wanting to help others and identifying ways I to accomplish this goal. This has been my dream job since I left USI, and I am ecstatic to have had the opportunity to come back and serve the community that helped shape me into the person I am today. I also chose USI because I have always enjoyed working in college settings and working alongside students.  

What are your job responsibilities in the USI Counseling Center? 

As a therapist in the Counseling Center, I provide individual, couple, crisis appointments and group counseling. I assist students for a variety of reasons such as difficulties adjusting to college life, depression/ anxiety, body image concerns, trauma, academic issues and other presenting concerns. Along with individual therapy, I assist students by connecting them to resources on campus and within the community that will set them up for success. I create a safe environment to assist students with discussing and processing their current concerns. In addition to therapeutic services, I also assist with outreach and trainings within the USI community.  

What do you listen to on your commute to work? 

On the way to work, I listen to a radio show called Brooke and Jeffrey in the morning. This is a comedic radio show where they do prank phone calls, second date updates, awkward phone calls, etc. This is a great way to start my mornings because I love to start off with some comedic relief.  

What is one fun fact about yourself? 

I am actually a triplet with a brother and a sister. Out of my siblings, I am the oldest even though it is only by a 1 minute to my sister and two minutes to my brother, which I am still proud of and make sure to let people know. Although it may be cliché, my siblings are two of my best friends. We were all very close growing up and are still close to this day. 

Do you have any irrational fears? If so, what are they? 

My most irrational fear is roller coasters. I have always been terrified of roller coasters because I am afraid of heights. I have had multiple people offer me money, food, tickets to Chicago Cubs games (which is huge because I am a die-hard Cubs fan) and other things to try and convince me to get on a roller coaster. Even after all those offers, I could not get myself to step foot on a roller coaster.  

If you could give students one piece of advice, what would it be? 

If I could give one piece of advice to students, I would tell them to do what makes them happy. At the end of the day, we all might do things we don't enjoy doing, pursue majors because there is a big paycheck at the end, do things that others told us to do or whatever it may be. It is important to give time back to yourself and engage in activities that bring you joy in life. We spend so much time thinking about the future and what will happen if we do X, Y or Z. I challenge everyone to do something in the moment that makes them happy.  

What interesting hobbies do you have? 

Kayaking, golfing, anything outside, playing Magic: The Gathering and watching sporting events. Some of my favorite teams being the Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Heat, Arsenal, Notre Dame, and of course UofL. 

If money wasn't a factor, what would you be doing with your life right now? 

I would still be providing therapeutic services in some form. I love helping others and would find a way to provide pro-bono therapeutic services. I believe therapy should be easily accessible and too many people do not pursue therapeutic services due to lack of income.  

Who is your role model? Why? 

My role model is my mother. I have always looked up to my mother, and she has always pushed me to be the best version of myself. She made so many sacrifices while I was growing up to give me the best life possible. I owe everything to my mother, and I strive to be like her every day.  

What is your favorite day of the week? Why? 

My favorite day of the week is Friday. On this day I meet up with my friends and we play Magic: The Gathering. We call it "Magic Friday's." It is a way we all stay in touch and gives us an activity to engage in when we are together. 

If you could relive one moment in your life, which would it be? 

I would relive The Beartooth, I Prevail, and A Day to Remember concert I attended in the fall of 2019. I love music, and A Day to Remember is my favorite band. Especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, concerts have not been an option for the past year, and I am personally looking forward to the opportunity to attend more concerts within the year. 

This Getting to Know You feature was written by Tobi Clark, a student worker in University Communications.