Justin Starkey finds purpose in social work at OHIO Chillicothe

For Ohio University Chillicothe junior social work major Justin Starkey, choosing to return to college at age 44 was more than a new chapter; it was a turning point.

A Chillicothe resident, Starkey said his decision to major in social work at OHIO Chillicothe felt less like a choice and more like an alignment.

“The universe aligned in such a way as to provide an open opportunity for growth and great career fulfillment,” he said, noting that the campus’s proximity and small‑town atmosphere made the transition to college life even smoother. “The Chillicothe campus is just a jump away for me, so the commute is easy, and the small‑town local vibe contributes to its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.”

Starkey’s confidence was affirmed the moment he walked through the doors at OHIO Chillicothe.

“When I met with the admissions staff, then student services, and finally my professors, I couldn’t feel anything but confident,” he said. “Any question I have asked, and any need I have shown, including learning‑disability accommodations, has been met with patience, kindness, and professional empathy and respect.”

The path to OHIO wasn’t simple for Starkey, who holds an associate degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

Before becoming a Bobcat, Starkey spent several years in therapy working through past trauma, including losses tied to the COVID‑19 pandemic. He said anxiety and PTSD symptoms made even leaving the house a struggle. With the help of his wife, friends and chosen family, he slowly rebuilt his confidence.

“Getting the courage to go back to school at 44 was the hardest hill I’ve had to climb,” he said. “Once I truly saw myself rising up from the ashes, I realized that I could not have done it alone and so decided to join the effort to empower others in need to know this for themselves.”

That desire to help and empower others inspired his choice of the social work major. Today, Starkey is thriving as a student leader. He serves as vice president of communications for OHIO Chillicothe’s Student Social Work Association and works as a student employee at the Quinn Library.

“Justin is a great student; inquisitive, thoughtful, and compassionate,” said Associate Professor of Social Work Stacey Saunders-Adams. “He wants to pursue art therapy, which will be a great addition to the services in our community.”

Some of his favorite campus memories are simple ones: deep class discussions, quiet hours studying in the library and playing rounds of disc golf with his wife on campus between classes. And if he could offer one piece of advice to new students, it’s this: “Don’t miss the library! It is your best resource, full stop.”

A lifelong artist and musician, Starkey hopes to integrate expressive arts into clinical psychotherapy.

“I want to use my creative skills, which I also call my survival skills, to help others communicate and process their pain,” he said.

After graduating in 2027, he intends to pursue a master’s degree and become an independent, trauma‑informed clinical psychotherapist certified in expressive arts techniques. Ultimately, he hopes to promote critical thinking, empowerment, and healing within an inclusive environment.