USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight: Travis Elmore

Degree: Master of Arts in Addiction Counseling & Prevention

Current Position: Graduate student

Few people understand addiction and its consequences the way Travis Elmore does. That's because Elmore, a graduate student in the Department of Addiction Counseling & Prevention program, has been down that devastating road himself, starting at the age of 15.

"Once I tried the harder drugs, I was unable to be anything but an addict," says Elmore, who ended up in the Wyoming State Penitentiary on drug charges by the time he was 19. Today, Elmore is not only clean and sober, but is just a year away from completing his master’s degree.

"I had taken a class at USD and the ACP program was recommended to me by a professor," says Elmore. "Once I learned about it, I felt like pursuing this degree was kind of my duty as a thank you."

In spite of his personal experience, Elmore says his education at USD has opened his eyes to how much he still had to learn about the complexities of addiction.

"After 20 years of addiction, I really thought I had it buckled down and knew so much," says Elmore, who has also worked in the research lab of professor Melissa Dittberner, Ph.D. "I had no idea about things like the history and culture. The classes are all great and super informative. I am so glad that I chose USD.”

In April, Elmore was selected for the prestigious Minority Fellowship Program for Addictions Counselors (MFP-AC) by the National Board for Certified Counselors.

Upon completing his master’s degree, Elmore plans to pursue a Ph.D. at USD with the goal of becoming a professor. He also plans to open his own private counseling practice to help others struggling with addiction to "find themselves."

Congratulations to this USD School of Health Sciences Success Story!