Story by: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram
Working as a mental health technician at a psychiatric hospital in Tuscaloosa led Syndi Stevenson to study psychology at the University of West Alabama.
The Tuscaloosa native began studying kinesiology at Shelton State Community College after high school. Tired of taking online classes, she transferred to the University of Southern Mississippi. But she failed out, and the experience crushed her.
That鈥檚 when Stevenson decided to take a gap year鈥攁n experience that helped her realize she was in the wrong field.
鈥淚 struggled at USM and knew kinesiology wasn鈥檛 the right fit for me,鈥� Stevenson said, 鈥渂ut I didn鈥檛 know what I wanted to do. After working for a year at Bryce Hospital, I knew I wanted to learn more about the field of psychology.鈥�
Stevenson said Livingston鈥檚 proximity to her hometown and the low teacher/student ratio drew her to the UWA.
As a first-generation college student, she admits she floundered at times. Graduating from high school during the COVID-19 pandemic only added to the challenge.
鈥淭here was so much I didn鈥檛 know, especially all the opportunities that are out there and the different career paths you can take,鈥� Stevenson said. 鈥淚 am forever grateful to the people at UWA, the professors and others who have helped me along the way.鈥�
Looking ahead to her next step, the once-shy transfer student will begin graduate school at UWA in the fall, with a goal of becoming a counselor working with young adults.
鈥淥ne of my favorite things about my time at UWA is being a resident assistant,鈥� Stevenson said. Several RAs, including my own, reached out to me after my first semester and told me I should apply. I have enjoyed it so much, and it has reinforced that I鈥檓 on the right track with my career path.鈥�
The oldest of five, Stevenson is encouraging her siblings to go to college as well.
鈥淚 have a sister graduating high school in May who applied to two colleges, so I鈥檓 really excited about that. Even though she didn鈥檛 want to at first, it鈥檚 enough for me to know I made an impact and encouraged her to give it a try.鈥�
On the Dean鈥檚 list the past three semesters, Stevenson credits her faith for getting her to this point.
鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 be here if it wasn鈥檛 for the Lord. Everything worked out just like it was supposed to,鈥� she said. 鈥淕od had a purpose for me, even when I thought I couldn鈥檛 do it. I see that now.鈥�