Bolivar Native Allyson Polk Receives Education Specialist Degree from MTSU
May 2025 was a busy month for Bolivar native Allyson Polk, who not only added a new last name when she married her husband, Ryan Mabry, but also academic credentials after graduating from Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) earning an Education Specialist degree in Professional Counseling. Allyson Polk, Ed.S., B.S., has accomplished much since graduating as a member of the Bolivar Central High School (BCHS) Class of 2018.
After graduating from BCHS, Ms. Polk continued her education at MTSU where she graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Mental Health Services and Speech Pathology. Ms. Polk’s decision to pursue a degree in psychology was inspired by her own personal experiences and struggles with mental health.
“I decided to pursue counseling because I believe this is where God has called me to be. I know what it’s like to feel alone. I know what it’s like to have so many thoughts in your head and no idea on how to sort them,” said Ms. Polk. “God has been so faithful to me. He has pulled me out of dark places and placed professionals in my life to help me. Through the challenges, I’ve remained resilient and compassionate. I still have empathy, and I still have so much love to give. I ask, ‘why not share it with those who may need it most’?”
Although Ms. Polk is proud of her recent academic accomplishment, she is most excited about the people she is going to be able to help with her knowledge and learned skills.
“With this degree, I will be able to help those in need. Mental health is and should be a priority for all people. It’s not a matter of if life will send you a curve ball, it’s a matter of when. I will be able to serve as a mental health counselor and provide services to various populations. I thank God for allowing me to be a vessel to help his people—just like someone helped me,” said Ms. Polk, whose mother, Tonya Polk MSN, RN, also works in the healthcare field. “I have family that are taking the field of healthcare by storm. My mother and her two sisters are nurses, and I commend them on their tenacity. I am the first counselor in my family, and hopefully, I will not be the last.”
Ms. Polk highly recommends MTSU, which she credits as having an exceptional Professional Counseling program and an amazing Psychology department.
“If anyone is interested in the field, MTSU is a great place to start your journey. MTSU gave me tons of experience, and I was able to make many connections,” said Ms. Polk. “I was able to pledge my sorority Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and be a present factor in the community of the campus. MTSU has a lot of great opportunities and an array of programs to choose from.”
Now that she has graduated, Ms. Polk is already looking ahead to her future. She plans to work towards full licensure of LPC-MHSP and obtain her doctorate.
“My dream is to have my own practice, and work in community health with a wide range of individuals while growing my knowledge on the multifaceted aspects of grief,” said Ms. Polk.
Ms. Polk is the daughter of Linc and Tonya Polk of Bolivar, Tennessee.
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