Ryan Welch '21, G'24, Uncovered Profound Passion for Understanding the Human Mind
By Damon Markiewicz
During his senior year as a Psychology major, Ryan Welch ’21, G’24, experienced a turning point in his academic journey, forming lasting connections with professors and peers who helped him uncover a profound passion for understanding the human mind. These relationships and experiences ultimately led him to Clinical Mental Health Counseling—a field where his curiosity, compassion, and sense of purpose aligned.
“I did not really know what direction I was heading in the Psychology field until I met professor Allison Cumming-McCann my senior year, who led me to a very important internship as a school counselor,” explained Welch. “I was also fortunate to have professors Judy Van Raalte and Britt Brewer help channel my interest in sports, and introduce me to the field of Athletic Counseling.”
Springfield College prepared Welch in several meaningful ways. During his senior year, he gained his first fieldwork experience at The Springfield Renaissance School, where he was able to put classroom theory into practice and apply his knowledge in a real-world setting. He also worked closely with student-athletes on the Springfield College Women’s Soccer team, an opportunity that further confirmed his passion and solidified his sense of direction for the future.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to work with people from a counseling lens, which highlighted my empathetic nature,” described Welch. “Specifically, my graduate programs intentionally prepared me for the real world I was about to step into by exploring different topics in a safe classroom space with peers and teachers. This allowed for some deeper self-reflection and for my view of the world to drastically change. I feel like if I did not enter this program and work with the professors I worked with, my worldview would still be very narrow and centered around my circle, rather than exploring how different of a world I had been living in.”
Now serving as a clinical case manager at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Welch provides students with support and guidance. His role involves researching local mental health agencies and collaborating with various campus departments to ensure students have access to the resources they need. This position allows him to apply his passion for psychology in a practical setting, reinforcing the career path he first discovered during his time at Springfield College.
“My responsibilities are divided into two sections, maintaining a clinical caseload of clients, and case management,” explained Welch. “I maintain a regular caseload of clients who I meet with on a weekly or biweekly schedule. We discuss different aspects of the client’s lives, and provide an empathetic environment to support the clients as they experience what their life brings them. My case management activities include connecting these students to the different local mental health resources available around Massachusetts.
Welch’s desire to help students comes naturally. Springfield College instilled in him the importance of strengthening communities—creating places where people can live, work, and share meaningful time with their families. That commitment to service continues to guide his work today, shaping the way he supports students and connects them with resources that foster both personal and academic growth.
“My favorite aspect of being a clinical case manager is the interaction with students,” said Welch. “Our campus is mainly international students, which has allowed me to have conversations around cultural differences. Seeing the changes clients experience is wonderful to witness. Students usually start counseling when things are not going their way in life, and to watch them work through their experiences and emotions to reconceptualize them is fascinating.”
Welch’s career as a licensed mental health counselor has deeply enriched his life, both personally and professionally. Pursuing a degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling challenged him to confront the realities of global injustices and examine the structural foundations of our nation’s systems. This journey not only sharpened his clinical insight but also broadened his perspective on the societal forces that shape mental health and well-being.
“Once you start to see how things have been set up in the past, you are able to see the effect on people today,” explained Welch. “My experiences at Springfield College in both the Psychology Department and Counseling Department really shaped me into the person and clinician I am today. My undergraduate work in Psychology set the foundation for how I entered the Counseling program, and the mindset I needed to challenge my own bias and worldview at the time.”
During Welch’s time as a student, he was a member of the Counselors for Social Justice organization in the Counseling Department. Being a member of this organization was a natural fit due to the many conversations around social justice and systemic inequality he was having with professors and classmates.
One of Welch’s favorite memories was in November 2023 with his involvement with SEAT at the Table, a week-long event at which the Springfield College community can learn about topics related to social justice, identity, privilege, and community care.
“This experience was what I had been hoping for, which was continuing to bring awareness on how our identities impact us and how we see the world,” explained Welch. “We also looked at leadership and how different cultural aspects play key roles in being a culturally competent leader. The presentation went really well and the organization has continued to be a key part in how I see the world today.”
Reflecting on his seven years at Springfield College, Welch recognizes that his time on Alden Street was transformative in shaping both his personal identity and professional aspirations. Through his academic journey, he discovered the career path that would lead him toward lasting fulfillment, while also building meaningful relationships with faculty and fellow students. These connections fostered a supportive community that not only guided his growth, but also helped him feel confident in becoming the person he aspired to be.
“I think it is important to be okay with your place in life and to not compare it to others, since we are all in very different spaces,” explained Welch, who was also a proud member of the Ultimate Frisbee team during his time as a student. “Starting with my time at Springfield College, I stopped comparing where I was to where others were, or where they knew they were going. I was able to take a weight off my back with that adjustment. Surrounding yourself with positive people who appreciate you for you, and then continuing to be with those people, is key to being okay with your place in life.”
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