Stephanie Im

Pronouns:

She/Her

Major: 

Psychology

Hometown: 

Pacifica, CA

What are your campus involvements? 

Hillside Village Council (Vice President), Running Club (member), Psychology Club (Vice President), Filipino American Association of Sonoma State University (FAASSU) (member), Sonoma Senders (member), Associated Students: Basic Needs (Lobo’s Pantry Coordinator), Associated Students Marketing Committee (member), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Mental Health Ambassador 

What is your favorite memory or experience at SSU? 

I was in the Hutchins School of Liberal Studies program for my first two years at SSU to meet my lower division GE requirements. It shaped my college experience because not only were they the first classes I took, but they also introduced me to my first friends at SSU. My professors always supported me and taught material that challenged me to see the world from different perspectives, for which I am grateful. Hutchins introduced me to SSU and helped me transition to college in a way that was supportive, comforting, and fun.

What has been the most challenging part of your college experience and what did you learn from it? 

I love being involved on campus because it allows me to make new friends, create new experiences, try new things, and help the community. I strive to be reliable and ambitious, but it reached a point where I started to overbook myself with my involvements and commitments. It became difficult to balance my life, so I have been actively finding new ways to overcome this through counseling, prioritizing myself, and implementing techniques I learn in my psychology classes. I've learned to listen to my needs and what is best for myself, which means participating in activities and involvements I know I will enjoy rather than doing them primarily because of my ambition. It is still challenging sometimes, and I am still busy, but I am having fun in everything I am doing and with all of the people I am meeting.

What brought you to SSU, and what motivates you to stay? 

The beautiful and small campus caught my attention, along with the fact that it's far enough away, yet still close enough to home. I love walking around campus and seeing all of the nature, especially during the fall. I also love that it's a smaller campus, which allows me to frequently see friends, faculty, and staff who bring me joy and make my day. I stay because of the connections I've made with these people. I love the people I have met here so far, and all of our jokes and adventures always make me laugh. I often find myself feeling a sense of happiness, awe, and gratitude when I think about where I am now and the people I have met.

Who at SSU has influences you and/or made an impact on your journey here? 

All of my professors have shaped and impacted my journey here, but especially Justine Law, Professor Galbraith, and Dr. Callahan. Justine led our class in a way I admired; it is clear she genuinely cares for her students. She was interested in our lives and always made sure everyone had the space to be heard in discussions. I have always struggled in math, but when I took Statistics with Professor Galbraith he never made me feel silly for needing things to be re-explained. He went out of his way to explain things in different ways to help me understand, and he knew how to encourage me and push me to reach my potential. I met Dr. Callahan at my freshman orientation, and I knew right away that I wanted to take one of his classes. I loved the content of his Psychology of Self-Discovery class and the way he led it. He is compassionate, patient, and genuine in the way he treats us. He ensures we feel heard, understood, and valued. I always leave his class feeling fulfilled and more in control of my life.