For Matty Bollen, Stanislaus State is a place that offered an abundance of camaraderie and opportunity.
Being a short drive from her hometown of Escalon and hearing high praise for the University, Bollen thrived in the classroom and as an intern with Stan State’s Disability Resource Services (DRS).
“Matty is a brilliant individual who exemplifies the many positive characteristics of Stan State Warriors as well as President Britt Rios-Ellis' philosophy of ‘cariño,’” said Julia Spencer, an administrative analyst specialist with DRS. “Through her work at DRS, she has supported many fellow Warriors in their academic journeys, including serving as an intern providing peer mentorship to students with disabilities.”
Bollen has worked diligently to learn how to help others, specifically those with autism. Majoring in psychology and minoring in business administration, she hopes to work as a behavior technician supporting autistic children. She also has an interest in counseling and human resources.
“The psychology program at Stan State has a wide range of courses,” Bollen said. “There are some great master's programs, as well.
“I wish to open people's minds to welcome and support everyone's differences. In general, I hope to use my experience as a college student to stretch the idea that we — people in general — really do not know everything. There are so many things that people are uninformed about that they can really benefit from learning. Having an open mind to learn new things can really improve life in our region.”
Having an open mind was key to Bollen building a memorable college experience.
“You will never know unless you try,” she said. “I was pretty quiet and shy at first and let that hold me back from having experiences. I began talking more with those in classes and went a little outside of my comfort zone, and in the end, it paid off. Although maybe a little uncomfortable at first, you can create some great relationships and memories by reaching out to others.
“The most powerful thing I have learned as a student at Stan State is that it really is such a privilege to be in college. It is easy to complain about the amount of homework, lack of free time and loss of sleep, but being in college is really an opportunity that should be truly valued. There is always something to appreciate in life; sometimes it just takes some effort to find it.”
#StanGrad File
Name
Matty Bollen
Hometown
Escalon, CA
Degree/Credential
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, minor in Business Administration
What memories stand out most from your time at Stanislaus State?
“I was living on campus for the first three years of my time at Stan State and spent most of my evenings in the library. I have strong memories of being in the library after the sun went down, with only a handful of people on the second floor. The library was peaceful and calm and was a place I could go for a change of scenery outside of my dorm room. I also have great memories of working with the staff of Disability Resource Services. I have been a student assistant for two years now and have always loved working with the staff in the office.”
Which faculty or staff member had the greatest impact on you, and why?
“A faculty member who has had a great impact on me is Deborah Forester, a professor in the Psychology Department. I loved having her as my professor for both my research seminar courses, and I was given the opportunity to become her teaching assistant for the same research seminar I previously took. She has always provided warmth and support to her students. She really wants everyone in her classes to succeed, and you can feel that through her teaching. I also want to give a shoutout to the staff at Disability Resource Services. They have provided me with so much support and guidance throughout the two years I have been with them. Marvin Williams, Julia Spencer, Karissa Ridley, Therese Gardner and Doua Xiong are such amazing people. I have found myself turning to them for personal and academic guidance, and I have always been welcomed with open arms. Marvin Williams gave me the opportunity to become a Disability Advising Intern for the fall 2025 semester, where I got to support students in our office more closely. Doua and Therese, the DRS advisors, provided me with one-on-one guidance during this internship. Julia and Karissa provided me with so many laughs and created such a warm office environment. The DRS department has become a second family to me.”
What advice would you give to current and future students?
“I would tell current and future students that a different path can still lead exactly where you're meant to go. It is easy as a student, and in life in general, to compare yourself to others. Although similar in nature, we are all multifaceted beings. No one's story looks exactly the same, and what someone else did to get to their goal may not be the best route for you. Do not discourage yourself from achieving something because it does not fall in line with what everyone else is doing. Find or create your support system and lean on them through the rough spots. You can do it!”
Note: This article is part of the StanGrad series highlighting Stanislaus State students who are part of the Class of 2026. Read more StanGrad profiles.
