Laura To found their calling during the two gap years between completing their undergraduate work and enrolling as a graduate student at Cal State LA.
As the world was recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, To worked with the Los Angeles Unified School District as a volunteer with City Year, an AmeriCorps program that gives support to the public school system. To provided classroom support and ran the after-school program at Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez Senior High School in Boyle Heights.
“Everyone was going through all this uncertainty during the pandemic,” said the 26-year-old El Monte resident. “It really showed the gaps in the educational system. I was really interested in how we can best support students.”
To knew then they wanted to become a school psychologist.
On Monday, May 19, To will attend the Cal State LA’s Commencement for the College of Education at the Shrine Auditorium and receive their Master of Science in Counseling: Option in School Psychology.
“Laura To is an inspiring graduating student in the School Psychology Program at Cal State LA whose passion, leadership, and commitment to equity have left a lasting impact,” said Nicole Garcia, a lecturer with the Division of Special Education and Counseling. “Throughout their time in the program, they have demonstrated excellence in both their academic and applied skills. They have demonstrated a remarkable ability to balance multiple professional roles… all while consistently producing high-quality work.”
During their time at Mendez High School, To observed that many of the students, most of whom were Latino and recent immigrants, were hesitant to ask for assistance from teachers, counselors, and other staff.
To found, however, that as a volunteer To was able to gain the students’ trust. The students spoke openly with To about immigration concerns, family issues like divorce, and other traumatic experiences they were experiencing.
“Their mental health needs were not being met adequately,” To said. “Part of it was cultural; they just weren’t comfortable reaching out for help.”
To saw some parallels with their own primary and secondary education.
“One of my driving factors is increasing educational access,” they said. “Students deserve a high-quality education, no matter where they are. Part of that high-quality education is social- emotional learning and having a sense of belonging, which I don’t think I had throughout my [kindergarten to grade 12] journey.”
To says school psychology will allow them to wear “multiple hats.” It not only provides an avenue to work with and help students, but also to collaborate with faculty and staff to formulate a plan on the best ways to provide services to students.
To is currently serving an internship with the behavior department of the Whittier Special Education Local Plan Area. They work with seven area school districts, spending two days providing intervention and consultation with the behavior department, two days at a comprehensive high school, and one day counseling at both an elementary and high school.
“My internship gives me a lot of opportunities to work with different people and allows me to hone in on my behavior intervention skills,” they said.
They also volunteer with the Crisis Text Line and Club 21, which provides educational tools and resources to individuals with Down syndrome.
At Cal State LA, To has served as co-president of the School Psychology Student Association and editor of Student Corner, the university’s online platform for student publications, including graduate-level work like theses, projects, and dissertations.
Clearly, To is comfortable wearing many hats.
“Their leadership has enhanced student engagement and professional development across the program,” said Garcia. “With a strong dedication to service and a commitment to culturally responsive, student-centered practices, they are graduating as a future school psychologist and aspiring [Board Certified Behavior Analyst], ready to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families.”
To completed their undergraduate studies at UC San Diego in 2020, with double majors in physiology and neuroscience, and developmental psychology.
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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 26,000 students and has more than 250,000 distinguished alumni.
Cal State LA is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs, Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, Billie Jean King Sports Complex and the TV, Film and Media Center. For more information, visit www.CalStateLA.edu.
