Psychology Student Finds Her Voice; Pursues Career in Law
The last several years of Michelle Egan’s life have been nothing short of a whirlwind. From earning her associate degree in agri-business at the College of Southern Idaho to beginning a career as a correctional officer to becoming a mother, her goals and priorities have continually evolved.
When she began as a student at WSU Global Campus in the spring of 2025, she initially shifted her academic interest to psychology, though she soon after committed to pursuing a career in law. After graduating at the end of this semester, she’ll be moving on to Willamette University to begin law school.
Egan’s interest in law was largely inspired by her own personal experiences. Though she describes having struggled with anxiety surrounding public speaking for years, she recently overcame that hurdle while litigating her own divorce. Now, she has learned to appreciate “the adrenaline rush of arguing [her] case in front of a judge and jury.”
Over the course of her career as a full-time correctional officer, Egan’s interest has increasingly focused on criminal defense. “This time has allowed me to observe firsthand what happens to people once they are convicted by the criminal justice system,” she says. “That knowledge has inspired me to advocate in the courtroom to ensure these people receive a fair trial.”
Speaking to her concerns about the current state of the justice system, Egan voiced her support for alternative sentencing, like mandatory treatment for nonviolent offenders as opposed to incarceration. “It is my belief that this will help with our ever-growing prison population and increasingly high recidivism rates,” she said. Additionally, she is committed to ensuring that the rights of convicted individuals who belong to minority groups are protected in the courtroom and beyond. As she looks toward her future, she even aspires to one day run for public office to bring about positive change through policy.
Egan’s time at WSU Global Campus has prepared her well to take this path. Through her studies in psychology, she has gained a deeper understanding of human behavior and emotions that she believes will help her better understand and connect with future defendants in a deeper way. She said that she can “personally attest that being involved in litigation can be terrifying, especially when trying to navigate the system as a pro se litigant [one who represents themselves without a lawyer] with no prior legal experience.” By pairing legal expertise with psychological insight, she hopes to become an advocate who can meet her clients exactly where they are, inspiring trust and understanding.
Reflecting on her academic successes—from her dedication in the classroom to her leadership in both Psych Club and Pre-Law Society to her admission to law school—Egan acknowledges the incredible difference that the unique structure and design of Global Campus courses has made in her journey. “As a full-time employee with a difficult work schedule and a single parent to a toddler, the asynchronous structure and flexibility of Global Campus has been vital in me being able to achieve my academic goals,” she said. She also expressed deep appreciation for the guidance and support of Dr. Remington Swensson, who works both as a professor and the director of the online psychology degree program. Egan said that Dr. Swensson was “beyond helpful in offering advice and mentorship in [developing] the skills needed to ultimately be accepted into law school.”
As Egan has demonstrated through her scholarly and professional pursuits, she is committed to using her talents to advocate for change within the criminal justice system and to improve lives in the process. Her intellectual curiosity, determination, and commitment to service will serve her well in the legal field and reflect the qualities of a WSU Global Campus graduate who brings distinction to the Cougar community and deep pride to the university.
About the Author
Emma Seckington is a writer for WSU Global Campus, working alongside the Marketing and Communications team to spotlight the unique accomplishments of Global Campus students, faculty, and alumni.