Katie Rose Stonecypher Supports Community Wherever She Goes

A Tale of Two Degrees

Katie Rose Stonecypher (’26) has always been fond of psychology, so when the time came to pick a university and degree path, the Forensic Psychology program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott, Arizona, campus caught her attention.

Katie Rose initially wanted to work in a behavioral analysis role, but she decided to take on a dual degree in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination (FAFE) to open more doors for herself. She is thankful that she chose to pursue both degrees at Embry-Riddle and is confident in where her aspirations will take her.

“I'm really glad that I did it, because I have a lot of unique skills now that I would not have had before,” she said.

Pursuing both degrees concurrently also helped Katie Rose become a better student and a more empathetic person.

“When we talk about forensic accounting, a lot of it is fraud, and why people commit fraud. Understanding the human perspective ... has really helped me,” she said. “It helps me understand the mind of a fraudster better because I have those psychology skills.”

Making a Difference Through the Cold Case Task Force

One of Katie Rose’s favorite experiences at Embry-Riddle was working on the Cold Case Task Force, where students complete coursework and projects that contribute to solving real cold cases, for her capstone course. She loved having the freedom to tailor the project to her interests.

Causes close to her heart, including women's rights and domestic violence, guided the project's direction. Katie Rose’s research highlighted preventive action strategies to ensure student safety and success while living on campus.

Katie Rose interviewed members of the campus security team and developed processes to certify and continually increase the security of private spaces such as student dormitories. She also shared informational materials for identifying and addressing domestic violence across campus during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“Getting to present my findings to the higher-ups and say, ‘We need these recommendations to keep our students safe’ was really impactful,” Katie Rose said.

In addition to growing her skill set through project work, Katie Rose built valuable connections throughout her education. She joined the Alpha Xi Delta sorority, became a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners student chapter and earned a position at a local accounting firm.

Leveraging Network to Identify Opportunities

Katie Rose began seeking professional development opportunities beyond the campus during her second year at Embry-Riddle. She connected with an older student who recommended her for a tax and accounting intern position at an accounting firm in Prescott.

“I was stressed because it felt like everyone was getting internships,” she said. “I knew an older FAFE student who worked there, and she helped facilitate the interview for me.”

Katie Rose credits this role in refining her problem-solving skills and enhancing her sense of independence.

“They never want you to ask a question unless you've gone through every resource yourself,” she said. “I used to ask a lot of questions when I'd get stuck, but now I'm pretty good at problem solving and figuring out the answer on my own.”

Gaining a Global Perspective

In the summer of 2024, Katie Rose studied abroad in Zambia to expand her knowledge of global business strategy and cross-cultural communication.

“We explored the differences between a Zambian business and a U.S. business, and it helped me see what working with people from different cultures is like,” she said.

She also forged connections with students and faculty from the Daytona Beach Campus who were in the same Study Abroad & Global Engagement program and has maintained relationships with many of them since. She emphasized that excursions such as her study abroad program and a trip to New York City with one of her clubs made her time at Embry-Riddle extra memorable.

Traveling to Zambia was particularly transformative for Katie Rose's sense of independence.

“If you are scared, that is even more reason to do it. And the further away, the better,” she encouraged. “I really found myself there, and I love the people in Zambia.”

Finding Community Beyond Campus

Despite her busy schedule, Katie Rose felt compelled to prioritize her love for volunteering. She began volunteering as an evening advocate at Prescott Area Shelter Services (PASS), a local women’s shelter.

“I've been volunteering my whole life, but I didn't realize until I started volunteering with these women that I had found my calling,” she said.

Her Forensic Psychology class discussions often related to and informed how she connected with the women at PASS.

“Meeting women in real life who have gone through difficult times has made it much more real,” Katie Rose explained.

Applying classroom knowledge to real-life situations afforded Katie Rose a broader perspective on human behavior and confirmed her passion for shelter work and management.

Dreaming Big and Doing Good

Katie Rose plans to relocate to Florida to work at a tax and accounting firm and be closer to her family. She intends to work with philanthropic agencies to better understand their accounting processes.

Her long-term plan is to become a director at a women and children’s shelter.

Although Katie Rose’s professional aspirations have changed since she first set foot on campus, her values and enthusiasm for helping people have not. She looks forward to creating opportunities for women in crisis to get back on their feet as she progresses in her career.

Assured in and motivated by her future goals, Katie Rose encourages Embry-Riddle students to invest their time and resources into a degree that aligns with their career objectives and that they truly love.

“If you don't like your degree, switch it. Get out there and try something new.”