You might not immediately think hip hop and psychology go hand in hand, but then again, you may not have met Tyler Young. This spring, Tyler graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Counseling Psychology, a path that blends his passion for psychology with a lifelong dedication to hip hop and music. His journey to Alaska Pacific University began in 2019 while working in trauma-informed care at Southcentral Foundation, where he supported programs like Family Wellness Warriors, helping create spaces for people to process trauma through education and community support.

He initially enrolled in APU’s Alaska Native Governance program but soon realized his calling lay elsewhere. “I really want to help people because in my life and my journey I’ve done a lot of healing work, and people have helped me and I wanted to pay that forward,” he said. “I struggled with alcohol abuse tied to past trauma, but getting help in my late 20s changed everything. Through treatment and counseling, I found real healing and that inspired me to help others in the same way.”

Tyler is Sugpiaq on his father’s side and Tsimshian on his mother’s side (Laxsgiik, Eagle Clan). He says helping others and being a good relative are deeply rooted in his family and Indigenous values, and counseling psychology felt like a natural extension of that calling.

He chose APU for its small, close-knit learning environment, starting during the COVID-19 pandemic when most of his coursework was online. It wasn’t until fall 2025 that he began taking more in-person classes, which he describes as a meaningful shift. “Being around other students and engaging with the APU community more deeply has been really positive,” he said. “I’ve had great instructors and advisors who I feel are setting me up well for this work.” One standout moment in his academic journey came in 2025 when he was named Counseling Psychology Student of the Year. “I felt really honored by that,” he said. “It meant a lot to know people were paying attention to the effort I put into showing up and contributing.”

Another pivotal experience came in an ensemble course with Eric Redding, where Tyler was able to deepen his 20-year passion for music production. With support from Redding, he learned how to record and mix his own work, which is something he had long hoped to do. “Eric’s teaching me what I’ve always wanted to learn and I’m so thankful for that. It’s life enriching and it’s so good for my soul,” he said. Tyler is now integrating music therapy into his counseling work and senior project, which explores interventions for complex PTSD through the lens of music and personal healing. His research is deeply connected to his own lived experience and generational trauma, as well as his cultural identity.

His senior project culminates in a hip-hop album titled Return of the Potlatch, which reflects both healing and cultural reclamation. The project honors the Tsimshian potlatch tradition, a central cultural system historically disrupted and later revitalized in Metlakatla through the efforts of David Boxley in 1982.

“For me, this project is about reconnecting,” Tyler said. “Who I am and who I’ve become, especially later on in life, is very connected to my culture, especially my Tsimshian side. Now the potlatch was central to our way of life. Everything was decided there, at the Yaawk. I wanted to explore what that means for healing and identity today.” He adds that collaborating with Eric Redding on mixing the album has made the project even more meaningful, along with using it as a way to educate others about his culture and its traditions.

After graduation, Tyler plans to focus on his family and his young daughter. “It sets her up for success to have that quality time,” he said. “And it helps me too. It nourishes my soul.”

His advice to students: “Be intentional. Show up, stay engaged, and set aside time for your work so you can really learn and grow from it.”