Guest Post: Steffan Piper

It’s never easy trying to write a brief statement about your life for your fellow peers, instructors, or anyone who doesn’t know you. Often when we find ourselves in a communications class, the most common instruction is just to be clear. And also, don’t use the word ‘just.’

Most people that know me, know me as either a father, a husband, or a brother. Some know me as a Scout Leader or an Ice Hockey Coach, and some know me as a veteran who served in the Marine Corps, stationed at 8th and l Marine Barracks (The Oldest Post of the Corps) and the White House during the era of George H.W. Bush. When the Persian Gulf War broke out, I volunteered and served overseas.

We often hear ‘Once a Marine, Always a Marine,’ and we often see ourselves still in uniform, but for me as time passed and I got older, I found myself working at the Veterans Administration. It was only then that it became clear what it really meant to be a Marine, and be there for other veterans.

In helping other vets write out their narrative and listen to the events they were typically unwilling to share with others, I learned that while adversity is never far away, the best defense is to stay grouped, and stay together. Working as a Coach and a Scout Leader brought me the same reflection and joy modeling good behaviour, good leadership, what it means to be in a safe environment, how to make the best use of your time when growing up and being a force for good. All these things that I felt we see an absence of in most places.

Through the years, I’ve worked in film and television, labored over other people’s scripts and novels as an editor, and was fortunate enough to have two best-selling novels. One, Greyhound, about a little boy on a bus traveling across country to go live with his grandma, and the other, Fugue State, about that same young man when he joined the military.

I came to Palo Alto University to continue my path of service and strive to be there for others in the best capacity possible. In my own circles where I live in the Palm Springs region, it was apparent that the need for mental health counseling was severe for teenagers, veterans, families, and marginalized families. Often, when looking to find someone, the usual result is ‘not accepting new clients,’ and the all too familiar ‘put your name on a list and will call you when there’s an opening.’ Everyone knows how disheartening that sound is when you need help. This was where I knew I could be my best and provide the most in the greatest way possible.

After graduating from CSUSB with my Bachelor’s in Clinical Psychology, and being accepted at PAU, I could see a clear path ahead of me, and knew where I needed to be. The Professors at PAU went above and beyond meeting the challenge and expectation of educating, mentoring, and providing strong, clear leadership.

Being in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program at PAU, I’m always looking forward to my classes, the experiential learning with my cohort friends, and what it means to be a part of something greater than myself. It’s been very rewarding to stay challenged, while hopefully creating a contribution that’s positive and helpful for others.