When Becky Galvan ‘13 first began her studies at Hillsdale in 2009, she did not envision continuing onto higher education after graduating. Now, she’s pursuing a counseling degree at Spring Arbor University.
Invested in the Hillsdale track and field team and enjoying her biochemistry classes, she was content. But when Galvan interned at a crisis pregnancy center during her junior year, it awakened a desire and motivation to help others. She considered counseling, but she was afraid that carrying the burden of other people’s pain would be too heavy.
“I thought counseling was too hard to deal with,” she said. Yet Galvan was drawn to the study of human behavior.
“I love to listen,” she said. “I want to hear other people’s perspectives.”
Motivated by her internship at the pregnancy center, she switched to a psychology major. She remembers being influenced by courses taught by Associate Professor of Psychology Collin Barnes and Associate Professor of Psychology Kari McArthur. “I discovered that there are consistent behaviors that people do,and that fascinates me,” Galvan said. “If I could have one superpower, I’d love to read minds.”
After graduating in 2013, she worked in the corporate world for five years as a product developer for a footwear company. In 2017 she was hired by Ken Koopmans to work on the career services team.
Galvan said she loves her job and credits her work in career services with inspiring her to consider counseling.
“The exploratory appointments are my favorite,” she said. “Talking to students about their lives, what they enjoy or dislike, and what they want in their futures.”
On Feb. 10, 2018, she married Nick Galvan, an assistant coach of the Hillsdale football team. Shortly after, Brock Lutz, director of health services at Hillsdale, approached her about the counseling program at Spring Arbor University.
“Brock knows that the Spring Arbor program has a foundational Christian faith, and this is what is most important to me,” Galvan said. “I am a disciple of Christ.”
While searching for financial support to cover the cost of pursuing a counseling degree, she stumbled across an opportunity. As part of the American Football Coaches Wives Association , Galvan attends the organization’s yearly conventions where the women offer advice and encouragement to one another. Every year, the AFCWA offers three scholarships to wives pursuing further education. Galvan applied and won the scholarship. The counseling program at Spring Arbor runs for two years and eight months, with the last eight months being an internship. Galvan has taken three courses already: an introduction to counseling, a research class, and theory of counseling.
Galvan says her ideal job after finishing school would be to work with student athletes and in mental health.
Lindsay Peirce, a counselor at Hillsdale College who has built a friendship with Galvan over the last few years, said she believes her friend will make an excellent counselor.
“We have the most encouraging conversations, day in and day out. She’s a great listener,” Pierce said.
Galvan has advice for students who may potentially be interested in counseling.
“Don’t do what I did. Don’t think you can’t handle counseling without giving it a try first,”she said. Lutz spoke highly of Galvan. “She’s a natural. She asks good questions,” Lutz said. “She connects with people.”
