Josie Neveu comes full circle
Thanks to Amy Countryman with the Inver Hills Community College Foundation for writing this story.
In 2019, Josie Neveu made a promise to herself: One day, she would return to Inver Hills Community College as a counselor.
Six years later, that promise became reality.
Today, Josie helps students navigate challenges, pursue their goals, and find support, much like she did during her own time as an Inver Hills student.
But her path to that role was anything but straightforward.
After high school, Josie attended another community college as a nursing student. The experience ended poorly, and she left with a 1.39 GPA. She stepped away from college and soon became a young mother.
When her son, Wyatt, was seven months old, she enrolled at Inver Hills determined to build a better future for both of them.
Going back to college, creating a better future
“Becoming a mom motivated me to return to school because I wanted to create a better future for my son and for myself.”
As a parenting student, Josie balanced coursework, work, and family responsibilities while becoming deeply involved in campus life. She worked in the Student Life office, served as president of Student Senate, and participated in numerous student organizations.
Along the way, she discovered a new passion.
Originally, she planned to pursue nursing, but her experiences supporting students and the encouragement she received from Inver Hills faculty, advisors, and counselors helped her see a different future. During her final semester, she made the significant decision to change her major and pursue a career in higher education and counseling.
One person who helped her navigate that transition was Dr. Janet Finlayson, who guided her through the graduate school planning process.
“The semester I was scheduled to graduate, I changed my major and created a plan that would take me all the way through graduate school,” Josie said. “A special shout-out to Dr. Janet Finlayson for helping me figure out the graduate school process!”
Dr. Finlayson remembers Josie as a standout student
Reflecting on Josie’s time at Inver Hills, Janet said she stood out both in and outside the classroom.
Josie was an exceptional student inside and outside of the classroom. She was always engaged in class and consistently demonstrated curiosity, initiative, and going above and beyond for her assignments. Like many Inver students, she was balancing personal responsibilities at home while remaining fully engaged in pursuing her academic goals and taking ownership of her learning.
What impressed me most was her willingness to create opportunities not only for herself but for so many other students. Her involvement in student life was extensive, including spearheading the creation of an Active Minds student organization on campus dedicated to broadening awareness around mental health.
It has been incredibly rewarding to see her achieve the goals she set for herself and an honor for me to be a part of her success story. I couldn’t be more proud of her!
Support as a student helped shape the path
With that support and a clear plan in place, Josie began the journey that would eventually lead her back to Inver Hills as a counselor.
A particularly challenging period with her mental health further shaped that decision. The support she received through Inver Hills Counseling Services reinforced her desire to become a counselor and help students facing similar struggles.
Her educational journey continued through the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring her to complete her bachelor’s and graduate degrees online while adapting to the realities of learning and training during an unprecedented time. Through each challenge, she developed the resilience and perspective that continue to influence her work today.
Throughout those years, Josie never lost sight of the goal she set while she was still a student.
Making a promise to herself
“In 2019, I made a promise to myself that I would one day return to Inver Hills as a counselor so I could give back to the same community that had provided me with so much support throughout my own educational journey,” Josie said.
In 2025, she returned to Inver Hills as a counselor.
The experience is especially meaningful because she now works in the same office as the counselor who supported her during one of the most difficult chapters of her life.
“I cannot fully describe how meaningful it is to now sit in the same space where my counselor once sat and have the opportunity to support our students.”
Today, Josie also helps lead programming designed specifically for parenting students, providing resources, financial support, and a welcoming space for students balancing college and family responsibilities.
“It is incredibly rewarding to be able to use my own experiences to help create a more supportive college experience for other parenting students,” she said.
Advice for students
When asked what advice she would offer current students, Josie’s message is simple: don’t let setbacks define your future.
Before arriving at Inver Hills, she had struggled academically and experienced academic suspension. Today, she is an Inver Hills counselor and halfway through a doctoral program.
“If you experience challenges along the way or struggle in some of your classes, remember that those moments do not define who you are or what you are capable of achieving,” Josie said.
Looking back, she sees her journey as proof of what is possible when students find support, opportunity, and people who believe in them.
“I am living proof that your starting point does not determine where you will end up.”
For Neveu, the college did more than help her earn a degree. It helped her discover her purpose and ultimately return to help others find theirs. And every day she spends supporting students at Inver Hills is a reminder of the difference that encouragement, opportunity, and belief can make in someone’s life.
Learn more:
Inver Hills Admissions Team
admissions@inverhills.edu
651-450-3902
Inver Hills Counseling
counseling@inverhills.edu
651-450-3508
Free mental health support for students
