Welcome to the journey of a lifetime. You are about to learn things about yourself that you didn’t know before.
Kirsty Kenny looked at a number of universities before choosing AUSB for her undergraduate degree. After achieving that, she pursued her graduate degree in clinical psychology. We’re rooting for her bright future helping people.
What brought you to Antioch?
KK: I completed not only my Master’s in Clinical Psychology but also my BA in Liberal Studies at Antioch University Santa Barbara. After applying to many large universities beforehand, I knew the “conventional” university was not for me. When I was getting ready to graduate from Santa Barbara City College I was feeling a loss. The Universities I looked into just didn’t feel right for me. Someone made a passing comment to me about how they went to Antioch University, which I had never heard of at the time, so I checked it out. After visiting campus and talking to a few folks in administration I knew this was the right fit. The small student-to-teacher ratios, discussion-based learning, and a strong belief in social justice. I wasn’t sure how I would afford it at the time, but I knew I had to figure it out and that I did.
What’s next for you?
KK: I feel like graduation has been a long time coming. It’s something I’ve been striving for and sometimes didn’t know if I’d get to it. I am excited about graduation because it’s the end of a very tough chapter and it will open a whole new door of possibilities – and opportunities.
Up next, I plan to finish my 3,000 [MFT] hours and start a course to specialize in forensic psychology, though I am not 100% sure what any of that looks like yet. I am not in any rush to start the ‘next thing’ … I want to take a moment to breathe and appreciate everything I just accomplished before embarking on my next journey.
Did you face challenges in getting here? How did you grow?
KK: When I started the MACP program I thought I knew everything there was to know about myself but boy was I wrong. Just two years in the Antioch Master’s program and I feel like I have become a much better version of myself. Each quarter came with a new challenge, either academically or in my personal life. They each felt like little tests and each test made me stronger. It showed me that just when I thought I couldn’t handle anything else, I pushed through and did it anyway. It also taught me to be honest when I couldn’t handle anything more and that it was okay to ask for help.
What inspired you to complete your degree?
KK: 100% my little boy, James, who is 5 years old. He is my everything. I tell him every day that he can be anything he wants to be when he grows up and I want to lead by example. I want him to see that if you work hard that you can achieve anything.
What’s your advice for incoming students?
Dear incoming students,
Welcome to the journey of a lifetime. You are about to learn things about yourself that you didn’t know before. You will feel resistant at first, but I promise that if you open your heart and your mind you won’t regret it. The only limits to your learning are the limits you place on yourself.
I loved every minute I spent in the MACP program. My cohort became my family, my teachers became my mentors and Antioch became that safe place in which to grow. It was tough and it was worth it and I know you’ll feel the same way on your graduation day.
