Turning Personal Loss into Purpose: An Online Student’s Journey into Mental Health

After losing her mother at just 14 years old, Chanelle Stellwagen experienced firsthand how difficult it can be for young people to navigate grief and loss. Today, she’s turning that experience into a career dedicated to supporting youth and families facing mental health challenges.

A first-generation college student from Toppenish, Washington, Stellwagen is preparing to graduate from Washington State University Global Campus in December 2026 with a fully online Bachelor of arts in social sciences. Along the way, she’s balanced a full-time career and managed learning disabilities while pursuing her goal of making a difference in her community. “I think I’m still in shock and awe that I am in my last semester of my BA,” she said.

Online Learning and Flexible Accommodations at WSU Global Campus

Stellwagen began her college journey at Yakima Valley College and earned her associate’s degree in 2022. Motivated to continue her education, she needed a degree program that could accommodate her full-time work schedule while providing support for her learning disabilities. WSU Global Campus offered the flexibility and academic accommodations she needed.

“With the right support and accommodations, I was able to show that it is possible for myself and others who have learning disabilities,” Stellwagen said. Testing accommodations have been particularly valuable in helping her manage severe test anxiety. “All the instructors that I have had have been more than willing to accept my accommodations and offer support as needed,” she said. “It has allowed me to really focus on my education.”

Supporting Youth Mental Health in the Lower Yakima Valley

Stellwagen’s personal experiences inspired her commitment to creating a more compassionate community where young people feel supported and can access mental health resources. Today, she works with the Trauma-Informed Student Support Services (TISS) grant, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), providing supportive counseling and case management to youth and families in Lower Yakima Valley school districts.

She also conducts Youth Mental Health First Aid and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trainings to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention. “I want to encourage them with positivity and remind them they can keep going, and that their loved ones would want them to keep going even though it’s hard,” Stellwagen said.

Her WSU coursework has also strengthened her professional skills and understanding of community mental health. “It’s teaching me the fundamentals of what it takes to work in community mental health and how important it is to have people who are empathetic and adaptable,” she said

Pursuing Undergraduate Research as an Online Student at WSU

One of Stellwagen’s most rewarding experiences at WSU Global Campus was participating in the 2026 Showcase for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (SURCA). Encouraged by Michelle Kistler, her COMM 479 professor, Stellwagen developed and presented a research project titled The Impacts of Social Media and Suicidal Ideation on Youth.

Attending SURCA in person gave her the opportunity to share her research, explore other projects, and connect with fellow Global Campus students. “Being able to present my research and having people listen to it really broadened my perspective on various other concepts that were being discussed throughout the SURCA event,” she said.

A First-Generation College Student’s Next Step Toward Social Work

After graduating in December, Stellwagen hopes to pursue a master’s degree in social work, with the long-term goal of becoming a licensed social worker. She’s also looking forward to celebrating her bachelor’s degree, ideally by walking across the graduation stage in person.

For Stellwagen, the milestone represents years of dedication and the support that helped make her education possible. She hopes her experience encourages other first-generation students and working professionals to pursue their goals, regardless of how long the journey takes.

“No matter how hard it gets or how many struggles you have, just keep going, reach out to your support system, and it doesn’t matter how long it takes you to complete a class or complete your degree,” Stellwagen said. “You deserve that milestone, and you deserve to have your hard work acknowledged.”

About the Author

Emily Oliva is the Assistant Director of Digital Content for WSU Global Campus, with over a decade of experience in higher education marketing. She loves telling student stories and highlighting the journeys behind the degrees. She’s currently based in Miami, Florida—very far from Washington State, but fully committed to the Cougs.