Katherine Worman said students should take advantage of their time at the university because it is “small enough to get involved.”

The alumna also advises students to not be afraid to ask questions or follow their heart, and to look at their personal interests when deciding on a career.

When she arrived at USI, Worman was awarded a Baccalureate/Doctor of Medicine (BMD) scholarship from the biology department and had plans of becoming a doctor.

Today she is a successful attorney at the Bob Zoss Law Office and an active member in the community. She uses her knowledge and skills to help other women succeed in the business world.

During high school, Worman participated in a variety of extra-curricular activities, including cross-country, track, pep club and the speech and debate teams.

Worman attended college at USI from 2000 to 2004 and said she had a positive experience at the university. Some of her fondest memories include visiting Belize with the biology department, traveling to Ireland with the chamber choir and meeting her future husband, John.

At the time, John was on his way to law school, so Worman decided to switch her major and pursue a degree in law as well.

“My parents and all of the professors in the biology department were really supportive of my decision,” Worman said.

She said she remembers how one of her biology professors, Dr. Shaw, would always encourage students to look at other fields that interested them.

“She would always bring in legal and ethical issues associated with science,” Worman said. “So I think that is what got me interested.”

Jeanne Barnett was Worman’s adviser and professor for her entire four years at USI.

“Katie was a very diligent, wonderful and warm person who was very dedicated to helping other people,” Barnett said.

After meeting her 10-year goal by making partner at a law firm in about half that time, Worman made a surprising turn in her career by leaving her well-established job at Bowers Harrison. She said litigation had always been her passion and at the Bob Zoss Law office, she is able to litigate full time.

“Now I’m getting to do what I love; which is being in the courtroom and be out and about and not sit at a desk,” Worman said. “I got to do a lot of that at Bowers, but I do it a lot more now.”

In addition to working as an attorney, Worman is an active member in the community, serving as president of the Tri-State Food Bank for the past two years. She has also served as an officer and on the board of directors for A Network of Evansville Women (ANEW), a program dedicated to assisting the advancement of females in the business field and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs.

Worman volunteers some services for clients who cannot afford legal help, earning her the 50-Hour Pro Bono Service Award from the Volunteer Lawyer Program of Southwestern Indiana for the fourth year in a row.

Aside from working as an attorney, Worman teaches business, medical law and ethics at Ivy Tech Community College. She said she encourages students pursuing law and business to keep an open mind, know how to conduct themselves, to be objective and to play an active role in their community.

“(Whatever you do), you’ve got to love it because you are going to do it the rest of your life,” Worman said.

Worman said she hopes to have a long, happy marriage, to make the community a better place and to continue supporting female entrepreneurs.