Career in military and law enforcement launches psychology interest for two-time Sun Devil

May 4, 2023

Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2023 graduates.

John Augustus Rose II is graduating this spring with a Master of Science in psychology from ASU Online, and it is only the latest achievement in a career filled with accomplishments, including founding and leading a homeless service response team when he was a deputy sheriff. Headshot of ASU Online student John Rose in front of a bookcase. John Augustus Rose II is graduating this spring with a Master of Science in psychology from ASU Online and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Download Full Image

The retired law enforcement officer and U.S. Army veteran said his experiences while working in those disciplines fueled his interest in psychology, especially patrolling or working with teams in the field, interacting with the community and coordinating among social services providers.

“In order to function in either of those roles successfully — law enforcement and the Army — considering mindsets and circumstances was imperative,” he said. “This helped shape my curiosity and interest in psychology as a major.”

Rose earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from ASU Online before pursuing his master’s degree and is now considering a doctoral program as well.

“I plan to pursue a PhD in some psychological discipline, but I haven’t yet narrowed this down as my interests are quite varied. I would love to remain at ASU Online as a student if possible,” he said.

The Southern California native now lives in Franklin, Indiana, but managed to forge a strong online community during his time with ASU Online. As an undergraduate student, he joined several honors societies, including Psi Chi at ASU, the international honor society in psychology, and Omicron Delta Kappa at ASU, a leadership honor society for students. As a graduate student, Rose embraced opportunities to work with students and faculty, crediting his scholastic success, in part, to those experiences.

“ASU has been central to my goals,” he said. “Becoming a course assistant and a research assistant were two of the most important opportunities that opened up for me as an online student at ASU. Growing up, college was always in the conversation as a possibility; however, my focus was on following familial steps into law enforcement and the military. Now my goals include academics, and scholarship is a big part of who I am becoming.”

Through his ASU experience, he is changing the trajectory for his family. Joining him on the trip to Arizona, his son John will get to experience Rose’s accomplishments as he’s honored during the Veterans Honor Stole Ceremony and celebrated during the commencement and convocation ceremonies.

He shares his ASU Online experience — what he learned, his advice to other students and what the future holds after graduation.

Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: Both of my former professions included elements of psychology, and the subject has always held great interest for me. So when I returned to school, psychology seemed like the most appropriate and natural fit. I love the major and have never regretted my choice.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU Online — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: Arizona State University’s commitment to engagement and opportunity was surprising. I did not expect to meet so many caring and motivating faculty and classmates, nor did I expect the number of opportunities I have been able to take advantage of for academic experience. I have been a research assistant, undergraduate teaching assistant (UGTA), course assistant (CA), graduate services assistant (GSA), etc.

Another surprise was ASU’s commitment to its charter, which emphasizes who is included, not excluded, and how they succeed. In my experience, this is not simply an attractive motto for ASU, it is an operational goal supported by real, positive consideration and action. I experienced this for myself, and it deepened both my respect and affection for this great institution.

Q: Why did you choose ASU Online?

A: I chose ASU for its academic reputation and because of the outreach and support that I received during the application process.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU Online?

A: I have had the great fortune of developing relationships with several faculty members who have passed on not only knowledge but opportunity and guidance as well. These relationships have spanned the entirety of my years at ASU Online and continue to this day.

The most influential professors have been Dr. Natalie Fabert and Dr. Laura Clemons. Both have been closely involved with my academic journey since my undergraduate classes and have been instrumental in my development as a student, UGTA, research assistant and CA. While I have received many valuable lessons from these amazing individuals, the most salient have come as a result of their examples. From the smallest assignment to larger interpersonal matters, I learned the importance (and saw the results) of honest, altruistic support, fair and equitable consideration, firm yet caring approach and an open door for thoughts, ideas and dreams.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: I have three pieces of advice for those still in school:

Believe in yourself. You can accomplish whatever you set your mind to.
Enjoy the academic ride! There are ups and downs, but this is a special time in life, so make the most of it.
Set an academic goal and stick with it. Academics can become frustrating or a grind at times, and this is precisely when focusing on an overall goal is the most important.

Q: What was your favorite spot for power studying?

A: Being an online student, my “power studying” occurs in my home office. My favorite spot is in my recliner near the window.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: After graduation, I plan to work as a faculty assistant and pursue my PhD.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: I would try to address education inequalities. Education has the power to lift and empower individuals, groups and communities. Unfortunately, education seems permanently tied to money and is far from attainable for everyone despite ability, merit or effort. I would use a financial gift such as this to develop funding opportunities for underprivileged students or for students who have extenuating circumstances preventing them from pursuing advanced education.

Written by Margot LaNoue for ASU Online.

Murals unveiled at MIX Center project an important message

People socializing in lobby with bright, colorful mural displayed on wall behind them

Two artworks with a message of support and safety for young people were unveiled on Wednesday at the Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center in downtown Mesa.The pieces, a mixed-media collage and a digital mural in the MIX Center’s lobby, were part of a campaign by the McCain Institute at Arizona State University to prevent online exploitation of children and teens.Both works were created t...

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Murals unveiled at MIX Center project an important message

ASU at Mesa City Center

May 4, 2023

Display part of McCain Institute campaign to raise awareness of child trafficking

Two artworks with a message of support and safety for young people were unveiled on Wednesday at the Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center in downtown Mesa.

The pieces, a mixed-media collage and a digital mural in the MIX Center’s lobby, were part of a campaign by the McCain Institute at Arizona State University to prevent online exploitation of children and teens.

Both works were created through a collaboration of local artists and youth organizations in Mesa to incorporate the messaging of the R.E.A.L. Friends Don’t campaign by the Combatting Human Trafficking program in the McCain Institute.

The digital mural, titled “Restoring Our Energy,” (seen above) was created by two artists from the Xico Inc. art collective, Diana Calderon and Martin Moreno, working with young people from the one•n•ten center for LGBTQ youth.

The mixed-media canvas, called “I AM Online Safety Awesome,” was done by artist Tiesha Harrison in collaboration with young people from the Boys & Girls Club in Mesa.

Woman speaking behind lectern in front of mural she worked on

Artist Tiesha Harrison stands in front of the mixed-media piece she worked on titled "I AM Online Safety Awesome" during an unveiling at the MIX Center in downtown Mesa on May 3. Photo by Charlie Leight/ASU News

The Combatting Human Trafficking program started the R.E.A.L. Friends Don’t campaign in 2020 to give parents and young people information to deal with online exploitation, which increased during the pandemic due to kids’ increased time online. It stands for:

• Raise the topic of online safety with your kids.

• Educate yourself on the technology they’re using.

• Act if something makes you or your child uncomfortable.

• Learn all you can. Stay involved and stay alert.

The artworks were designed to not only appeal to the eye, but also to start a conversation about a topic that is often avoided, according to Kelsey Syms, program manager for Combatting Human Trafficking. She said the campaign goal is to provide action-oriented solutions to online child exploitation.

“As COVID was taking over, parents and caregivers were overwhelmed with not only how to adapt to the pandemic but also to have kids at home with virtual learning,” she said.

“We wanted to put out an awareness campaign to educate parents about four actionable steps they can take tonight at the dinner table.”

At the unveiling event on Wednesday, Syms said that online exploitation is the fastest growing form of violence against children. Yet a recent McCain Institute study found that less than half of caregivers had talked to their children about the risks.

The R.E.A.L. acronym emphasizes the point that discussing online safety is not a one-time conversation, Syms said.

“The second piece of the title is for parents to begin the conversation that, ‘Real friends don’t pretend to be someone they’re not,’ or ‘Real friends don’t ask for sexually explicit images.’'”

The campaign was promoted on digital platforms and social media in English and Spanish, and was also featured on billboards in several cities in Texas during the summer of 2021.

“We were trying to reach caregivers as they were driving to work or school to facilitate that conversation,” Syms said.

The Combatting Human Trafficking program worked with several partners to develop the messaging, including the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Polaris Project.

Feedback from parents and caregivers was good, and in summer 2021, the campaign was expanded to reach young people directly.

“Teens are resilient and informed and need to keep themselves and their peers safe,” she said, noting that Black, Latino and LGBTQ youth are more likely to be targeted.

The messaging for young people includes information such as “Realize that predators pretend to be your friend” or “By the time they ask you for something personal, it might not seem creepy. This is part of their trick called grooming.” The web page also includes a step-by-step guide of what to do if explicit photos have already been shared or leaked.

But the institute wanted to go beyond digital messaging.

“We’ve seen the power that art can have in sparking conversations, and it’s a compelling way to share information,” Syms said.

So the program did a pilot in Chicago, working with mural artists to develop design workshops with young people.

“We left it to the artists and youths to design a piece of art that resonated with them and that they wanted to see in their community.”

The result was a 60-foot mural that’s still up in a Chicago neighborhood.

Because the McCain Institute is based at ASU, the program wanted to work in an Arizona community with local artists and young peoples’ organizations.

Woman speaking in front of large, colorful digital mural

Kelsey Syms, program manager for Combatting Human Trafficking at the McCain Institute, welcomes people to the R.E.A.L Friends Don’t public art unveiling on May 3 at the MIX Center in downtown Mesa.