Walsh Successfully Hits Restart Button at STLCC

Like many students, Sean Walsh came to St. Louis Community College looking for a fresh start. Although STLCC wasn’t his first choice, he knew he needed to raise his GPA if he wanted to make his college and career goals a reality.

So, for the next two years, he made school a priority and focused on his coursework. In his free time, he took an active role in student clubs and sought out leadership opportunities on campus.

“I like to think of community college as a restart button to help someone start anew,” Walsh said. “I'm not going to lie -- I wasn’t the best student in high school, but community college has allowed me to redeem myself at quite an exponential rate. STLCC has been a great decision for me.”

In May, Walsh will graduate with an associate degree in general transfer studies and a 3.9 GPA.

As a result of his academic success, Walsh has been selected to receive the Community College President’s Scholarship from the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). This scholarship will allow him to transfer to UMSL to complete the remaining two years of college needed for a bachelor’s degree in psychology. After graduation, he aspires to work for the United States Peace Corps for two years before entering the field of counseling. His ultimate career goal is to support individuals who are struggling with addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“While I’ve always had an interest in working in mental health, COVID-19 has ignited my desire to continue my studies of the mind,” he said. “I want to help people move forward from trauma.”

Stephanie Church, coordinator for campus life and college transition, described Walsh as an exceptional young leader who has shared his passion for creating a better world through his actions and deeds.

“Sean is not one to flinch when faced with a challenge. Instead, this determined young man puts into practice the attitude and dedication required to make a difference in the lives of others,” she said.

One example of this was when Walsh guided the Wildwood Phi Theta Kappa team through its fall blood drive, responding to the supply shortage due to COVID-19.

“Sean knew first-hand how much this community connection project would help patients most in need, as he had donated plasma months prior confirming that he had antibodies in his blood that could help others to fight COVID-19,” Church said. “I have seen Sean continue to grow in leadership roles throughout his time at STLCC, and I am confident his strong resilience, follow-through on projects and steady work ethic will propel him to success in the next phase of his college career.”

Outside of class, Walsh enjoys camping, hiking and river boating. He is an Eagle Scout, an avid reader and a travel enthusiast.

Walsh said involvement in campus life enhanced his college experience, and highly recommends students do so to find their fit.

“I remember when I first started college it was an intimidating environment, but the friends I made along the way eased my worries,” Walsh said. “I’m thankful for these connections because they have made my college experience at STLCC so much better than I ever expected.”