RYAN

What began as a classroom project that was never intended to become anything more than a graded assignment has become a life passion for Ryan Sansome. Currently enrolled for his third and final semester in Counseling 99I: Human Services Internship, Ryan is the first ever Recovery Support Specialist Intern here at the SRJC. He is the first in this position because he created it from scratch after seeing a need to serve “students who have traditionally been marginalized, ignored, and isolated on this campus.” 

While taking Human Services courses here at the SRJC he began to see friends and cohort members that he describes as the brightest school mates relapse with alcohol and drug addictions. There was an obvious void of support for these students on campus so Ryan began researching other colleges programs and eventually drafted his own proposals to our intern coordinator and the Human Services Department. The motivation to succeed came through heartbreak for his fellow cohort members. 

Ryan has expressed the most rewarding part of this entire experience has been being in a role where he can watch the cohort grow, come together, and become advocates for themselves and other students. 

As Ryan prepares for his exit from his role he is advocating that it continues as he moves on. Through the Work Experience Internship and his courses here on campus, he has made connections with politicians and other leaders in the Human Services Field that will allow him to continue his passion well after he graduates from SRJC.