b'30RAPPORT | Feature StoryServing the Mental Health Needs of the UnderservedMEET THE 2021-2022 SCHOLARSReflecting the Colleges commitment to promotingAJAYCIA JACKSONsocial justice and addressing mental healthCLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING MA, disparities among historically marginalizedCONCENTRATION IN AFRICAN & CARIBBEANpopulations in the United States, the highlyMENTAL HEALTHcompetitive Serving the Mental Health NeedsAjaycia Jackson, who received her undergraduate of the Underserved Scholarship recognizes thedegree in psychology from Clark Atlanta University, achievements and promise of students committedgraduating Magna Cum Laude, is interested in to this work who are pursuing Masters (MA),working with youth and families from under-Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS)resourced communities with the goal of improving or Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degrees.quality of life and to help people transition fromThe 2021-2022 scholarship awardees profiledjust surviving to thriving. In the future, shehereAjaycia Jackson, Denisse Ochoa, Janellewould like to start a non-profit to assist people inRidley, Emily Rowland, and Delora Suttonwereher community. selected based on a combination of academic achievement, service to underserved groups,DENISSE OCHOAcommitment to social justice and advocacy,CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY, PSYD, CONCENTRATIONS IN leadership skills, and financial need. In additionCHILDREN & FAMILIES OF ADVERSITY & RESILIENCE, to their professional and academic work, theseNEUROPSYCHOLOGYoutstanding students are actively engaging in WJCDenisse Ochoa, a queer, cisgender, Spanish-speaking, mentoring, community service, social-cultural, andwhite, Latinx woman, earned her masters degree professional development initiatives. from Penn State University. Before pursuing her doctoral degree, she served as a School Clinician providing individual and group therapy for several years, then lived abroad and worked as an English teacher in Palestine (she is currently learning Arabic). Her clinical experience has focused on'