2025 PSD We Journey Together: Candyce Young
Coming to Cypress marked a life-changing moment for Candyce. She had become sober six months earlier, and was ready to rebuild herself after several years of hardship. With shaky self-esteem, she proceeded on her path to higher education.
Candyce originally planned to attend Fullerton College, however, a friend introduced her to Anne Marie Beck at a FITE Club/Rising Scholars event, and Candyce immediately felt a sense of community.
By the end of her first semester, Candyce ran for president of FITE Club and served for two semesters. She then served as a student representative on the Rising Scholars Board. Following that, her dedication to her chosen field of Psychology led her to learn about the Psi Beta National Honor Society, join it, and eventually become president. At the same time, she became a peer educator and took on ICC rep for Active Minds.
Her academics have kept pace with her on-campus involvement and prepared her for transfer to a university, either CSULB or UCI in the fall. Her long-term goal is to earn a Ph.D. in Psychology at Biola and open her own practice that focuses on trauma patients.
Her resilience is remarkable, her strength is back, and she appreciates the involvement opportunities she had on campus that allowed her to grow and give back to the community at the same time.
“Keep showing up! Reach out to faculty, staff, and other students for support when needed and remember that at Cypress College we really do, do this together. Thank you, Cypress College, thank you for helping the frightened version of me find healing and purpose. Students: Get involved!”
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a small town here in Southern California called Yucaipa.
What are your interests?
I love animals, learning, nature, Marvel Comic books, cooking, and being of service.
What is your story?
I was raised by my mother who was a single parent and worked all the time so she could provide for me. Because of this my grandparents and my aunt were very involved in my life and helped my mom raise me. At around 9 years old, I started going through traumatic experiences that ultimately destroyed my self worth, and my mental health slowly began to unravel. At around 12 years old my struggle with substance use disorder began. A couple weeks before my eighth-grade year I was hit by a car and suffered a traumatic brain injury that altered my personality, caused learning disabilities, and destroyed whatever good mental health I still had. From that point on, my teen years were a revolving door in and out of psychiatric hospitals and I was no longer able to attend regular school, so I was put on a program called Home and Hospital. Thankfully, that program gave me the opportunity to graduate high school with my diploma.
At 17 years old, I became pregnant. The guy I was with, however, was extremely violent and he abused me my whole entire pregnancy. Two months after giving birth to my son, I lost custody of him due to the domestic violence. I was so broken mentally, I didn’t believe I deserved this beautiful little boy, so I walked away and made the decision to completely give up on life. With that decision, I fell deep into darkness. My life was consumed by drug abuse, incarceration, homelessness, and unconsciously seeking out relationships that were toxic and violent because I believed that was all I was worth. I spent more than 10 years going down that path, until I discovered the gift of desperation and became willing to do whatever it took to pull myself together.
On February 1, 2021, I made the choice to stop using and find a better way to live. Six months later I was registered for school and ready for the new adventure even though I was filled with fear and doubt. Since then, I have walked through many experiences that had the power to knock me off course, however I’ve continued to persevere. This journey has taught me not only am I capable, but also that I am worthy of great things!
What are you most passionate about? Why?
Psychology! My passion for psychology ignited when I was 13 years old after my car accident. At that point, it was driven mostly by the need to understand what was happening to me, however that later evolved into a passion to better understand the human mind so I can better help others.
Why did you choose Cypress College?
I actually wasn’t planning on attending Cypress College. Originally my heart was set on Fullerton College, however a friend introduced me to Anne Marie Beck and she invited me to a FITE Club meeting. At my very first FITE Club meeting I found my “home,” I found community, I found a place I
belonged, so I switched to Cypress College and the rest is history.
What have you been involved in at Cypress College? How has your path unfolded?
At the end of my first semester, I ran for president of FITE Club, as an opportunity to give back to the community that had already given me so much. I served as president for two semesters and then my term was up. After that I served on the Rising Scholars Board at Cypress College as Student Representative, so I could advocate for other Rising Scholars students.
I then discovered Psi Beta National Honor Society in Psychology and joined their club. At the end of the Spring semester in 2024, I applied for the Peer Educator Pilot Program through the Student Health and Wellness Center, got the job and I am now a certified peer educator. I started training for that job before the Fall semester of 2024 and decided to take on ICC Rep for Active Minds since my position as a peer educator meant that I would be working closely with Active Minds. At that same time, I was contacted by Dr. Brandy Young, who is faculty advisor for Psi Beta. She was in search of a student to take on the responsibility of president of the club and came to me and asked if I would be interested. At first, I was nervous and asked for time to think about it since I had already taken on two different commitments. After a little encouragement, I took up her offer and it’s been an amazing opportunity.
Share a memorable event or experience while you’ve been a Cypress College student.
There have been too many memorable events and experiences to just pick one. The Rising Scholars program has definitely given me many memories through the many different community-building events they have hosted, such as beach parties, end of the semester celebrations, bowling events with Cal State Long Beach and more. As for Active Minds and my job as
a peer educator, I had the opportunity to be a student speaker at the 1st ever mental health summit, I got to participate in the Walk of Hope and Send Silence Packing.
In Psi Beta, I participated in the first ever research symposium at Cypress College by presenting my own research and a group research project. I’ve helped with the planning of an event funded by the American Psychological Association and will travel to Las Vegas to present graduate-level research I’ve worked on with my group at the Western Psychological Association Conference. All of these opportunities will forever be cherished memories.
Who are the faculty and staff (in your major, an academic or other support program, etc.) who have helped you get where you are today? Anne Marie Beck, Travon Williams, Dr. Hilary Reuter, Dr. Brandy Young, and Dr. Randy Martinez
How has Cypress College supported you throughout your time at the college?
Since starting my educational journey at Cypress College, I’ve had to walk through some really hard times. At the beginning of my third semester, I received terrible news that my brother had lost his battle with addiction and had taken his own life. The Rising Scholars community walked me through that devastating loss. During that time, I was also diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder, and a counselor in the DSS office, Deborah Michelle was so helpful because she empathized with my struggle, and she did more for me during that time than I believe she ever knew.
At the end of the spring semester in 2023, my very best friend, my companion of 10 years, my service dog fell ill, and I had no idea how I was going to cover the costs of her medical bills, that’s when the foundation stepped in and gave me a loan to help ensure I could take care of my baby. Because of that financial help, I got one more year with my precious little girl. Spring semester of 2024, she was diagnosed with cancer and unfortunately passed away. At that point, however, I was stronger in my recovery, and I was able to walk through that loss with the help of the Rising Scholars community and the understanding and compassion from Dr. Reuter and Professor Hizon. Time and time again Cypress College, has shown up for me in so many ways and supported me to ensure I stayed on track with my education.
What are your immediate plans after completing your studies at Cypress College (at your transfer institution, in the workforce, etc.)?
I plan to transfer to a university. I was accepted into Cal State Long Beach and waitlisted at UCI. If I get into UCI, I will probably go that route.
What are your long-term goals? What do you aspire to?
My long-term goal is to get my master’s degree at UCI and to then pursue a Psy-D at Biola University so that I can become a clinical psychologist that specializes in trauma and open my own practice. I also want to open a domestic violence shelter that will not turn away women for any reason, because healing and safety should not be a privilege; they are rights.
What are you most proud of?
That I gave myself a chance. That I didn’t listen to doubt and fear but instead listened to that small little whisper of hope that maybe I could do this. I am proud that I didn’t give up when life got hard, and it’s been hard many times throughout my educational journey. I am proud of the woman I am becoming.
What bit of advice would you give to current and future Cypress College students?
Keep showing up! Reach out to faculty, staff, and other students for support when needed and remember that at Cypress College we really do, do this together.
Is there anyone in particular you’d like to thank?
My mom Laurie and my dad Mike. My sister Lilly. My dear friends, Mary, Lynnette, Lamora, Greg, Brad and Joni. The Rising Scholars community – Anne Marie and Tray. The DSS office. My boss’s Krista and Anna at the Health and Wellness Center. All my amazing professors – Dr. Young, Dr. Martinez, Dr. Reuter, Professor Price, Professor Hizon, Professor Zeoli, just to name a few. Vy the psychology tutor, And my higher power.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Thank you, Cypress College, thank for helping the frightened version of me find healing and purpose. To the rest of the students: Get involved!