Hopkinton College Student Discovers Passion For Helping Others

HOPKINTON, MA - Cam Griffin of Hopkinton said he found his passion for helping others as a MassBay Community College student after struggling to find his own path after coping with bipolar disorder.

Now he intends to further his studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston and eventually pursue a doctorate in psychology to learn more about bipolar disorder and the most effective means for treating it to aid others in the recovery process.

“From 2016 to 2020, I went to rehab every year to treat my bipolar and severe cannabis use disorders,” said Griffin. “In June 2020 I entered a residential treatment program, which provided me with the stability and sobriety I needed to get better. I learned a great deal about myself, and it gave me time to focus on my mental health.

"In rehab, I realized I was the only person who could change my mindset," he continued. "That is where I found myself, a solid support system, and figured out what I wanted to accomplish in my life. I’m the happiest and the most driven I have ever been.”

After graduating from Hopkinton High School in 2016, Griffin attended Framingham State University but dropped out after his first year.

"Due to my depression and anxiety, I stopped going to classes," he said. "I jumped from job to job, believing college wasn’t for me. I was never a good student, but that all changed when I came to MassBay.”

While attending MassBay, Griffin has reversed the course of his life. He has been a part of the school's Commonwealth Honors Program, earning a spot on the Dean’s List every semester. He is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the Psi Beta Honor Society, and he currently has a 3.8 grade point average. Griffin also was elected as the vice president of the academic affairs committee for the Student Government Association and is a member of the biotechnology innovation club.

As he prepares to graduate this month, Griffin specifically thanked MassBay professors Jeanie Tietjen and Carolyn Guttilla for “helping me realize my true potential and for supporting me,” and Professor Brian Keegan for making math enjoyable and fun.

In June, Griffin will celebrate another achievement - his two-year anniversary in recovery.

“I often questioned myself as to why I didn’t start at a community college right out of high school,” he said. “I think that the strong human connections I have experienced at MassBay, along with small class sizes and the supportive faculty, have made all the difference for me in my time here. It’s actually bittersweet to be leaving.”

Griffin is receiving an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in psychology. He will transfer as a junior to the University of Massachusetts Boston to study in the prestigious Commonwealth Honors College in pursuit of his bachelor’s degree. He intends to earn his Ph.D. in clinical psychology to study bipolar disorder in order to enable people who face the same challenges he has overcome.

“It feels amazing to be accepted to UMass Boston, especially because I didn't get in when I graduated from high school,” he said. “One message I would share with others is to try to figure out what your passion is and follow a path to help drive your career. It’s incredible how far I have come. MassBay has helped me with my upward trajectory, and now I feel as if the sky’s the limit.”

To learn more about MassBay, visit massbay.edu.