How One Coppin Student Is Using Psychology to Create Conversations Around Mental Wellness

As a non-traditional student at Coppin State University, Lawrence Young transformed his passion for wellness and dialogue into a mission to uplift others. 

Lawrence Young 

Major: Applied Psychology 
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland 

For Lawrence Young, returning to college was never simply about earning a degree. It was about creating impact.

As a non-traditional student at Coppin State University, Young arrived with a clear sense of purpose: to grow personally, serve his community, and create spaces where young people, particularly young Black men, could have honest conversations about mental wellness, purpose, and healing. 

That mission became central to his experience at Coppin. 

An Applied Psychology major, Young quickly distinguished himself academically while balancing the responsibilities and challenges that often come with returning to higher education later in life. He earned recognition as a Maxie Collier Scholar and Featherstone Scholar, became a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and consistently maintained a place on the Dean’s List. 

But some of his most meaningful work happened beyond the classroom. 

Young became known for curating wellness-centered conversations designed to help students openly discuss mental health, personal development, and community empowerment. Through these conversations, he helped foster environments where students felt encouraged to reflect, connect, and support one another. 

“I believe healing starts with honest dialogue,” Young says. “A lot of people are carrying things silently. Sometimes creating space for conversation can change someone’s life.” 

As he continued his studies, Young found that Coppin’s supportive environment reinforced his commitment to using psychology as a tool for service and transformation. 

“Coppin gave me the opportunity to grow academically while also growing into myself,” he says. “It reminded me that leadership is about helping others feel seen, heard, and valued.” 

After graduation, Young plans to continue his education at Coppin State University by pursuing a master’s degree in clinical psychology. He hopes to expand his work in mental wellness advocacy and continue building initiatives that connect personal growth with community impact. 

For Young, graduation is both an ending and a beginning. 

“This journey showed me it’s never too late to invest in yourself,” he says. “Now I want to use everything I’ve learned to help others do the same.”