Tiffini Stone is a 2016 UC Riverside graduate, and a three-year letter winner for the Highlanders as a Long Jumper, a Triple Jumper and Heptathlete.

"Although it has barely been a year since I graduated from UC Riverside with a bachelor's degree in psychology, I find myself reflecting on my time as a Highlander with regularity, particularly now with school about to begin, and my fellow track & field athletes preparing for another season.

"For the past 12 months, I have worked as a mental health rehabilitation counselor at Hillview Mental Health Center in Pacoima, California. Currently, I have a caseload of 61 clients, all adults diagnosed with severe mental illness. I manage their cases, provide individual and group rehabilitation, and assist with medication support.

"I am fortunate, in that I find my job immensely rewarding, both personally and professionally. I am constantly presented with new challenges, and the opportunity to grow as a woman and as an individual.
 
"Many of the skills needed to succeed in this field, I acquired as a student, but my resilience and my work ethic, I attribute to [current UC Riverside Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach] Nate Browne.
 
"Due to turnover during my four years at UC Riverside, I had three different event coaches. Coach Browne didn't see me every day at practice, or work with me personally. However, since I graduated from UC Riverside I realized that he did see me. He did take time to watch me grow, and then assist me along the way.
 
"In fact, it is doubtful that I would have graduated on time without his guidance, which enabled me to finish three classes in the summer of 2016, get my degree, and walk in graduation ceremonies.
 
"I don't know how often former student-athletes reach out to their coaches to update them on their post grad life, or to let them know how impactful their influence and support was over what seems like a short four-to-five-year period.
 
"That support doesn't end after graduation, as Coach Browne has continued to encourage me, and other former Highlanders, long after our final competition. For that I am more than grateful, and more than happy to communicate what a blessing he is as an individual and a coach.
 
"I know that being a coach can be a thankless job, given how young adults love to complain when they really don't know how good they have it. However, given all Coach Browne had to deal with, he did an exceptional job.
 
"I am really thankful I spent my undergraduate years at UC Riverside, and I hope other student-athletes understand how much Coach Browne does for them by getting them to look at the entire picture.
 
"In short thank you Coach Browne for being all that you are. Thank you for your hard work, long hours, kind words, etc. And for helping me become (& continue to develop into) all I strive to be!"