Class of 2025 graduate Steven Sheehy explored a topic close to home for his honors thesis: how trauma and therapy shape the romantic relationships of combat veterans. A psychology major at OSU-Cascades, he used qualitative interviews to examine the personal stories behind military service — and how healing and connection can grow from pain.
For Steven, the chance to pursue this kind of meaningful, in-depth work was what first drew him to the Honors College. “I love challenging myself and goal setting,” he says. “The Honors College gave me a chance to prove that I can take my education to the next level.”
His thesis, Combat Veterans in Romantic Relationships, draws from eight interviews with veterans and highlights recurring themes — including the importance of therapy for personal growth, the challenges of vulnerability and communication, and the lingering effects of service-related trauma on romantic partnerships.
“I have close family members and friends who have struggled to maintain relationships because of symptoms of trauma they experienced when being deployed in an active war zone,” he says. One of the “most memorable moments of the project” was seeing participants open up in deeply personal ways. “Having combat veterans feel safe opening up and showing their emotions to me — a non-veteran — was indescribable. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Originally from Los Angeles, Steven was drawn to OSU-Cascades for its smaller campus environment and proximity to nature. “I chose to go to school in Bend because I love the atmosphere and also because I have a healthy support network here,” he says. He also appreciated the diversity of experiences that came with a multi-age student population. “It’s a diverse campus with students of various ages, allowing younger students to build meaningful connections. Bend offers a great environment to form lasting relationships and enjoy all the city has to offer.”
In addition to his academic work, Steven served as president of Psi Chi, the national psychology honors society. In that role, he oversaw chapter operations and coordinated events across all three OSU campuses. “My job was to make sure our officers were completing tasks that aligned with our chapter’s mission,” he says. His goal was to ensure that both Psi Chi members and psychology students had broader access to career development and academic support. “We wanted all psychology students to feel supported — not just those in Psi Chi,” he shares.
Steven also supported individuals with intellectual disabilities through the Opportunity Foundation, a nonprofit in Redmond. He worked closely with three different clients, building his own communication skills and abilities to help others navigate emotional challenges. “I’ve learned incredible patience through this job,” he says. “It’s given me tools that I’ll take with me into my career.”
Now, as he prepares to graduate, Steven is considering multiple paths forward — including clinical psychology and public service. “Politics is a long-term goal of mine,” he says. “I want to find a way to contribute positively to society and support the people around me.”
By Shion Britten, Student Writer