Rebecca Fassbender: Finding her way to help others
Grad Profile
My beloved cohort and my caring and supportive professors make GovState feel like home.
Intro by Sarah Shoaf, Staff Writer
Photo by Isabella Hollingsworth-Sons, Staff Writer
As a first-generation and nontraditional college student, Rebecca “Becca” Fassbender found that getting involved and asking questions were key to her success at Governors State University (GovState). Joining the Dual Degree Program was only the start of her involvement at GovState, where she chose to pursue a degree in Psychology more than a decade after a high school class that sparked her interest in the subject.
Part of the Honors College and Psi Chi Honor Society, Becca is graduating with summa cum laude honors and plans to get her Doctor of Psychology degree from Roosevelt University in pursuit of her dream to become a licensed clinical psychologist.
GovState Newsroom: What attracted you to GovState?
Becca: As a resident of Park Forest, I am so fortunate to have access to a quality and affordable education right here in my backyard. I joined the Dual Degree Program (DDP) while studying at Prairie State College, which offered a seamless transition to GovState for my junior year upon earning my AA in psychology.
GovState Newsroom: Why did you choose your degree?
Becca: I will be receiving a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a pre-clinical focus. My first brush with psychology education was when I took a psychology course as an elective in high school because I thought it sounded fascinating. I struggled in school, but I could not get enough of that class. I knew that I wanted to learn everything I could. I was, and still am, a deeply curious person, and while my life circumstances were not conducive to higher education at the traditional college age, I spent much of my spare time as an adult trying to quell my growing curiosity by learning as much as I could on my own. I read books, including textbooks from friends pursuing degrees and doctorates in psychology and counseling, and found VHS videos by the infamous Dr. Marsha Linehan, in which she discussed, in detail, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. It wasn't until I reached the age of 40 that I was finally able to pursue an education. I jumped in as a psych major and never looked back. I want to know everything.
GovState Newsroom: What are your dreams for your degree?
Becca: I am looking forward to my next step: the PsyD program at Roosevelt University, where I will receive training that is grounded in social justice and cultural competence. Upon becoming a licensed clinical psychologist, I plan to work as a clinician focusing on the unique and intersectional needs of the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, I plan to pursue training to become a psychology professor, where I will educate and offer guidance and mentorship to future psychologists.
GovState Newsroom: President Ester has said that GovState provides a sense of home. What makes GovState home for you?
Becca: My beloved cohort and my caring and supportive professors make GovState feel like home.
GovState Newsroom: If you had a song play while you crossed the Commencement stage, what would it be and why?
Becca: Rise Up by Andra Day. There are so many reasons why I should not be here right now. I am fortunate to be alive and am so incredibly proud of my resilience and the work I've done with my therapist, which has helped me to find the strength to reclaim my life and use some of my life struggles to help others. I am a first-generation student who barely graduated from high school. At 44, I am earning my bachelor's degree in pre-clinical psychology with summa cum laude honors as an honors college student and have been accepted into the PsyD program at Roosevelt University. I wish I could reach out to all the younger versions of myself who felt lost and without hope, just to let them know: the journey was longer, but at some point, we finally found our way.
GovState Newsroom: Any advice for current/future students?
Becca: Get involved, ask questions, and I can't stress this enough: show up to office hours. Your professors are people too; take the time to get to know them. You'll find that most of them are pretty awesome! These relationships can be a vital part of success when applying to and gaining admission to grad schools or seeking recommendations for employment opportunities.