Faculty at Indiana University Kokomo make an impact beyond the classroom.

Many use their unique skills and expertise to benefit the communities they call home, serving on local boards, providing translation services, leading scout troops, mentoring children, and much more.

Kelly Fisher, senior lecturer in criminal justice; Brooke Komar, lecturer of psychology; and Adam Smith, associate professor of management are just three faculty members who are giving their time to local organizations.

Making a difference for children

Kelly Fisher chose a career in criminal justice to make a difference in children's lives.

Fisher volunteers with multiple agencies that serve children. She's president of the board of directors for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Howard County, co-founder of the Howard County Domestic Violence Coalition, and a human rights commissioner for the City of Kokomo.

"Children are the true victims in our system," she said. "All of the volunteer projects I've gotten involved with overlap between children's needs and the criminal justice system."

With CASA, she helps oversee training of volunteers who serve as the voice for neglected and abused children in the criminal justice system.

"This person is there to be a constant for the child," Fisher said. "They visit the child and get to know him or her, and advocate for what is in the best interests of that child."

In her role with the domestic violence coalition - part of the Family Services Association of Howard County - she teaches offenders skills they need to build violence-free relationships.

"Our abuse intervention program model is to help people fix the underlying problem before the consequences change the trajectory of their lives," she said.

Investing in the community

After reading a newspaper story about boys waiting years to be matched in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lafayette, Adam Smith knew he had to get involved.

"I had been living there for several years and wanted to be more engaged in the community," he said, adding that he'd been involved in a similar mentoring program while in college in Wisconsin and knew the value of mentoring.

Four years ago, he was paired with his "Little," a boy who was then 9, and had waited two years for a "Big."

They get together about once a week to go to sporting events, parks, dinner, or other activities. His son, who is the same age as his Little, sometimes comes along as well, and he's joined in family events. They've also participated in Big Brothers Big Sisters events, including an annual bowl-a-thon and carwash fundraiser.

Two years ago, Smith joined the organization's board of directors, where he could make additional impact.

"It gives me a sense of purpose outside my family and my career," he said. "It was the community, the mentorship piece, and the youth development piece. Being an educator, I identify with that piece. I thought I had more to give and could help more families."

Seeing the impact he's had on his Little is satisfying.

"I know these kinds of programs can help with reducing behavioral problems, or lead to higher graduation rates," he said. "That's why I want to stay matched with him as he goes into high school. I like seeing him work toward goals."

Making mental health accessible

Brooke Komar hopes she's setting an example of service for her two daughters by using her unique skills to benefit others.

As a registered art therapist, she's led community programs at the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library, offered continuing education for case managers at the FSA of Howard County, and served on the Indiana Art Therapy Board.

"I'm showing my daughters that when you have a skill or strength or passion that it's good for humanity to share it with the world," she said. "I could just stay in my office and get paid for all of the things I do, but there's something beautiful about sharing it with the world in a less transactional way."

During summer 2025, she created curriculum to provide art therapy activities at the library for adults and teens, offering a weekly psychological principle and coping skill.

"This program allowed more access to mental health in a public place, where anyone could get services," she said, adding that she had about 30 adults and 15 teens who participated each week.

"We used art therapy to explore or process those skills or principles," she said.

At the FSA, she's provided continuing education on compassion fatigue and maintaining empathy and connection to clients without burning out. She's also an advocate for the art therapy profession, including for those who want to become art therapists.

"I do what I can in the public space of my local community to give people opportunities to connect to themselves in creative ways," she said. "Art therapy allows people to connect to their creative selves and use artistic metaphors as a way to solve problems and express their emotions."

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