Ever wonder what Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) graduates go on to do? So do we! So we caught up with Madalynn Eidson to see what she’s been up to since earning her Associate in Arts, Emphasis in Counseling and Applied Psychological Science degree in December 2024.
Madalynn began attending EMCC in the spring of 2023 on the full-tuition-covering Presidents’ Honors Scholarship after graduating from Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear a semester early. Madalynn worked closely with her high school advisors to determine the best path for her goals and chose EMCC because of its unique Counseling and Applied Psychological Science program.
“I had never heard of another undergraduate program offering a specialized counseling-focused degree,” she said. “It gave me the opportunity to explore my passion for counseling early on and confirm that it was the right career path before pursuing graduate school.”
While at EMCC, Madalynn was in the Honors Program and Psi Beta, the psychology honor society — organizations she said connected her with others who shared similar interests and goals.
“They provided me with opportunities to be more involved with EMCC and the community through volunteer opportunities,” she said.
Honors Program students complete in-depth academic research for classes and projects, take cohort classes with other Honors students, and attend lectures and co-curricular activities designed to broaden the student experience and understanding. During the Spring 2024 Semester, Madalynn completed an Honors project under the mentorship of Professor Catherine Cochran titled, “Traditional Counseling Session Settings Vs. Online Counseling Session Settings with Microskills.” She entered her project into the Spring 2025 Honors Expo and won first place with a $350 award.
“Madalynn is an exceptional EMCC graduate who strives for high standards and produces quality work,” Professor Cochran said.
Her Honors project examined recent trends and compared the pros and cons of in-person vs. online counseling sessions, particularly since the pandemic, to determine which is most beneficial for patients and counselors alike.
“Counseling continues to adapt to meet the changing needs of clients, and online counseling has become increasingly popular,” Madalynn said. “I wanted to explore the strengths and challenges of both traditional and online counseling settings so that counselors and clients can make informed decisions on what counseling setting is best for them.”
Although Madalynn earned her Associate Degree in 2024, she walked across the commencement stage with the Class of 2025. By then, she was already enrolled at Arizona State University (ASU), working toward her Bachelor of Science in Counseling and Applied Psychological Science Degree, which she received in May of this year. She said the support she received at EMCC made the transition to ASU less intimidating and helped prepare her for success at a large university.
“EMCC served as an important stepping stone for my academic journey,” she said. “It helped me understand college expectations, develop better studying techniques, and build confidence in my abilities.”
She praised EMCC’s free tutoring services and Writing Center, resources she used on multiple occasions during her time here.
“I found them incredibly valuable,” she said. “The staff provided helpful feedback and objective perspectives that strengthened my academic skills. I would encourage every student to explore these resources because they can make a significant difference in their confidence and academic success.”
Right after receiving her bachelor’s, Madalynn applied to the Doctorate Program in Psychology at Midwestern University and is currently on the Glendale campus waitlist. She included the EMCC Honors Expo award in her application to Midwestern, and said she believes it strengthened her chances of being accepted into the doctorate program.
“Graduate programs look for students who are well-versed in many aspects, including academic, professional, and personal achievements,” she said. “I believe the Honors Expo award demonstrated my continued interest and dedication to counseling.”
For now, Madalynn is continuing to build her professional experience and strengthen her skills in the behavioral field while working as a Behavioral Health Therapist with LeadingMDs where she provides counseling services to residents in skilled nursing facilities, helping them navigate challenges such as adjusting to a new living environment, managing their psychological disorders through non-pharmacological means, and coping with related symptoms.
“I am confident this experience will help prepare me for graduate school and further support my goal of earning my Psy.D.,” she said.
She’s also enrolled in an online Certificate of Completion (CCL) program in Health Services Management at Gateway Community College, which she will start in August and complete next May.
“Throughout my previous roles, I’ve recognized my passion for leadership and management,” Madalynn said. “I’m hopeful that earning this certificate will strengthen my knowledge and help prepare me for my long-term goal of earning a Psy.D. and building a career where I can combine psychology, leadership, and healthcare.”
Are you an incoming, first-year college student who earned a final, unweighted cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher in high school? You should apply for the Presidents’ Honors Scholarship. It covers in-state/in-county tuition up to 15 credit hours for the Fall and Spring semesters. The deadline to apply for the Fall Semester is July 15, and the deadline to apply for the Spring Semester is Dec. 15. Learn more about the Presidents’ Honors Scholarship and apply today!