As a first-generation American and student, I grew up in a single-parent household with a mother who moved to the United States from Guatemala. I have been fortunate to witness firsthand the profound influence of my mother's unwavering emphasis on the value of love and selflessness. Her relentless dedication to providing for our family, specifically my sister and I, and creating a nurturing environment has not only shaped my understanding of home and stability but has also instilled in me invaluable life lessons that continue to guide me on my journey. Love, in its purest form, has been the cornerstone of my mother's parenting philosophy. Despite the challenges she faced as a single parent, she never allowed us to feel anything less than cherished and supported. Her unconditional love has not only provided me with a sense of emotional security but has also given me the confidence to pursue my dreams as a clinical child psychologist. For instance, when our power was shut off due to economic instability at the time, she lit a candle and asked me if I wanted to play a board game with her. This is one of my favorite memories with her as, rather than focus on the things she may not be able to control at that moment, she wanted to cherish the present moment with me. Home, to me, is not merely a physical space; it is an emotional sanctuary where love and acceptance thrive. Through her actions and words, my mother has cultivated a nurturing environment that radiates warmth and comfort. It is in the embrace of her love that I find solace and a deep sense of belonging. She has taught me that home is not defined by material possessions but by the love and care we share with one another. Many of my peers in my graduate institution ask if I miss my hometown; however, I also mention to them that it does not matter where my home is because my mother is my home. As a single mother, my mom has worked tirelessly to provide stability for our family. Her unwavering commitment to our well-being has been a testament to her selflessness and resilience. Despite the financial hardships she faced, she never wavered in her determination to provide for us. When we would ask her for money to go on a field trip or a new instrument for band, she would always find a way to make our dreams into a reality. My mother has invested in my future and it has shown based on all the amazing experiences I have been able to accomplish. Her sacrifices and hard work have not only met our basic needs but have also instilled in me a strong work ethic and the importance of perseverance. My mother's emphasis on the value of love and her selfless dedication to our family has profoundly shaped my understanding of home and stability. Through her unwavering support and sacrifices, she has taught me the true meaning of love, nurtured a sense of belonging, and instilled in me the importance of hard work and selflessness. As I embark on my graduate journey, I carry these invaluable life lessons with me, motivated by the desire to create a better future not only for myself but also to honor the love and sacrifices of my incredible mother. I will also be able to honor others such as Doña Lupita who compassionately supported others in their life mission. I aim to give back by becoming a clinical psychologist and fostering the values I learned in the individuals I work with.

As I began the initial intake with one of my first child clients in Dr. Joseph McNamara’s Florida Exposure and Anxiety Research (FEAR) Lab, their story struck me and lingered in my mind for days. This client, who was Hispanic, was raised by a family and lived in a community where no one resembled or understood them. As a result, they articulated feelings of social isolation and racial confusion and reported that they had experienced racial targeting and bullying. They said that they had no Hispanic role models and felt anger toward their birth parents for utilizing substances while they were in utero. Unfortunately, with the significant number of early-life stressors within their environment that influenced sensitive periods in their neurodevelopment, they developed a maladaptive form of emotional regulation. This was the moment that I affirmed my decision to become a clinical child psychologist. As a Hispanic woman who has worked with minority populations with comorbid disorders, I want to be the representation that this child is seeking. I want to understand the nuances of the biological and environmental underpinnings of human development and explore psychology through a multicultural lens so I can better support children in discovering themselves, identifying their stressors, and finding ways to advocate for their needs. Throughout my undergraduate career, majoring in Psychology and Communication Sciences and Disorder with minors in Disabilities in Society and Deaf and Hearing Sciences, I’ve already begun my mission to attain as much knowledge as I can to approach the field of psychology with a multidisciplinary focus and begin to provide a comprehensive perspective for my clients, both qualitatively and quantitatively. I truly believe there is not a one-size-fits-all methodology to a diagnosis or treatment and I aim to bring a holistic, culturally inclusive outlook to every aspect of the field and my future career. For instance, I’ve spent the last year enrolling in all of the American Sign Language (ASL) courses offered at the University of Florida (UF) to ensure that there are no barriers to my ability to work and communicate with a client. For the children that prefer to communicate non-verbally, whether that be through ASL or augmentative and alternative communication, I seek out and pursue opportunities that can facilitate my development in learning these communicative skills and beyond to become the bridge in the gap of mental health services. As I seek to prepare for a doctorate in clinical child psychology, pursuing a Master of Arts in Psychology in Education, also known as Clinical Psychology, at Teachers College, Columbia University has my ideal next step for several reasons. First, the program’s emphasis on cultivating strong researchers has aligned well with my career goals— investigating gold-standard evidence-based treatment, reducing barriers to accessing psychological treatment, and providing diverse and expansive services. In addition, through courses like “Child Psychopathology” and “Clinical Issues: Children from Diverse Backgrounds,” I have learned from some of the country’s leading experts about the biological and environmental factors that impact development, the most current evidence-based interventions, and brain-behavior relationships. Teachers College, Columbia University has also provided me with exceptional opportunities to delve into research. At UF, I have been privileged to work with Dr. Gemma Casadesus, a pioneer in the field of neuroendocrinology, and get my first taste of how effective and empowering holistic, culturally inclusive research can be. Rather than utilizing typical male mice models in age-related disease research, we work with menopausal female mice models to explain the high risk of Alzheimer’s disease development in older women and propose a comprehensive pharmacological treatment for at-risk women in our society. At Teachers College, Columbia University, I will pursue an integrative research project within the child and family area of focus looking into early-life stressors on development. With my background in working with children of color and lower socioeconomic populations, I am energized by the thought of utilizing my research interests in culturally responsive assessment and treatment to collaborate with multidisciplinary faculty members. As a counselor in an exposure therapy camp, most of the children were from minority backgrounds, which highlights how disproportionately affected they are. My team and I worked to research and provide a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to allow these children the opportunity to better understand themselves and discern certain maladaptive behaviors before they persist in order to ensure their growth and well-being into adulthood. All children have the right to become the best versions of themselves, despite having a disorder or not. My pursuit of a Master of Arts in Psychology in Education at Columbia University, among peers and faculty with passions similar to my own, has started me on the path to attain a doctorate in clinical child psychology, discover evidence-based solutions, and help our youth transcend beyond their limitations. Through the Darclei V. McGregor Memorial Scholarship, I will be able to continue my mission and the mission of Darclei V. McGregor who has served others in our communities to become the best version of themselves. I aim to specifically work with children and their families to work toward flexible adaptive behaviors, emotional regulation strategies, and stronger interpersonal relationships. Our society is currently experiencing a significant mental health crisis due to all of the traumatic events occurring in our world and with the prevalence of mental health disorders on the rise. As a prospective mental health provider and clinical psychologist, I see this as a call to action. The need for competent, compassionate, and dedicated mental health professionals has never been greater. This is not a challenge that can be taken lightly; the very health and well-being of individuals in our society are at stake. Throughout my academic journey, I've come to understand that providing mental health services is not merely about diagnosing and treating disorders. It's about creating a supportive environment where individuals feel seen, heard, and understood. It's about breaking down the barriers of stigma and discrimination that too often prevent people from seeking the help they need. It's about empowering individuals to take an active role in their mental health, providing them with the tools and resources they need to lead fulfilling lives. Becoming a mental health provider is more than a career choice for me; it's a commitment to social justice. I believe that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, deserves access to quality mental health care. This conviction drives my desire to contribute to the field, to advocate for those who are marginalized and overlooked, and to work towards a future where mental health care is universally accessible and culturally competent. The mental health crisis is a complex issue, with roots in social, economic, and political factors. As a mental health provider, I am committed to addressing these larger systemic issues as well. This means advocating for policies that support mental health, such as increased funding for mental health services, improved access to care in underserved areas, and comprehensive mental health education in schools. More specifically, I am in the process of contributing culturally responsive research to the literature to provide holistic techniques for future interventions. Currently, I work part-time at a play-based preschool with nine children ranging from three to five years old. By focusing on the interests of the children and integrating that into their curriculum, I have noticed that these children create stronger emotional relationships with their peers, develop interests, and become more connected to the supportive community around them. I work within a variety of settings with children and their families to understand the holistic picture of what makes children succeed and feel fulfilled in their lives. In contributing to the solution to the mental health crisis, I am not only fulfilling a personal aspiration but also answering a societal need. I believe that by becoming a mental health provider, I can make a tangible difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health issues, bringing light into the darkness that too often surrounds mental illness. This is my mission, my purpose, and my contribution to the betterment of individuals in our society. Despite being connected to children and their families, they are my focus for a significant number of reasons. The foundation of mental health is laid in the early years of a child's life since a significant amount of brain development occurs during childhood, including the formation of neural pathways related to emotional regulation and stress response. Additionally, children are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues as they may not understand what they're feeling or how to articulate their emotions. Mental health issues in childhood can have long-lasting effects that extend into adulthood. Many adult mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, can be traced back to childhood experiences. By addressing mental health issues in childhood, we can help prevent the development of more serious problems later in life. Focusing on children's mental health is an investment in our future. Therefore, the Darclei V. McGregor Memorial Scholarship will further my mission of supporting the needs of others and creating healthier, more fulfilling lives.