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Tina Pinedo

1415

Bold Points

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma with my parents when I was 4 years old. My parents did not graduate from high school and always felt that their lack of education limited their progress in the United States. They have engraved in me the value of an education. During my undergraduate studies, I double majored in psychology and forensic science. Through this, I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After receiving my bachelors, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. I have seen individuals that are struggling with mental illness be neglected and lose their freedom. I aspire to pursue a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and work within the justice system to provide better care for mentally ill minorities that are labeled criminals in the system. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. I have not let the financial burdens that have been present during my academic career weigh down my progress. I was recently admitted into the Clinical Psychology Doctoral program at Oklahoma City University beginning in the fall (2024).

Education

University of Central Oklahoma

Master's degree program
2022 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology

University of Central Oklahoma

Bachelor's degree program
2016 - 2022
  • Majors:
    • Criminal Justice and Corrections, General

University of Central Oklahoma

Bachelor's degree program
2016 - 2022
  • Majors:
    • Psychology, General

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Mental Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

      My long-term career goal is to become a forensic psychologist.

    • Insurance Agent

      State Farm
      2017 – 20181 year
    • Investigator

      State Public Defender
      2022 – Present2 years
    • Bartender/Headwait

      Redrock Canyon Grill
      2018 – 20224 years

    Finances

    Loans

    • Nelnet

      Borrowed: August 18, 2018
      • 25,000

        Principal borrowed
      • 30,557

        Principal remaining
      • Interest rate:

        6%

    Research

    • Forensic Psychology

      University of Central Oklahoma — Research Assistant
      2021 – 2022

    Public services

    • Advocacy

      Oklahoma Indigent Defense System — Investigator
      2022 – Present

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Politics

    Volunteering

    Philanthropy

    Entrepreneurship

    A Man Helping Women Helping Women Scholarship
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. My parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergraduate student, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degrees (i.e., B.A. and B.S.) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in the counseling master's program. I was recently admitted to the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Oklahoma City University and will begin classes in the fall of 2024. I aspire to work as a forensic psychologist within the justice system to advocate and provide better care for mentally ill individuals that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without the financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress. If I were awarded the A Man Helping Women Helping Women Scholarship, I would have the ability to lessen my workload and dedicate more of my time to my academic goals.
    Ethan To Scholarship
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. My parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergraduate student, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degree(s) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in the counseling master's program. I was recently admitted to the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Oklahoma City University and will begin classes in the fall of 2024. I aspire to work as a forensic psychologist within the justice system to provide better care for mentally ill individuals that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without the financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress. If I were awarded the Ethan To Scholarship, I would have the ability to lessen my workload and dedicate more of my time to my academic goals.
    Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. My parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergraduate student, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degree(s) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in the counseling master's program. I was recently admitted to the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Oklahoma City University and will begin classes in the fall of 2024. I aspire to work as a forensic psychologist within the justice system to provide better care for mentally ill individuals that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without the financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress. If I were awarded the Cat Zingano Overcoming Loss Scholarship, I would have the ability to lessen my workload and dedicate more of my time to my academic goals.
    So You Want to Be a Mental Health Professional Scholarship
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. My parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergraduate student, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degree(s) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in the counseling master's program. I was recently admitted to the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Oklahoma City University and will begin classes in the fall of 2024. I aspire to work as a forensic psychologist within the justice system to provide better care for mentally ill individuals that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without the financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress. If I were awarded the So You Want to Be a Mental Health Professional Scholarship, I would have the ability to lessen my workload and dedicate more of my time to my academic goals.
    VonDerek Casteel Being There Counts Scholarship
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. My parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergraduate student, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degree(s) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in the counseling master's program. I was recently admitted to the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Oklahoma City University and will begin classes in the fall of 2024. I aspire to work as a forensic psychologist within the justice system to provide better care for mentally ill individuals that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without the financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress. If I were awarded the VonDerek Casteel Being There Counts Scholarship, I would have the ability to lessen my workload and dedicate more of my time to my academic goals.
    Robert Lawyer Memorial Scholarship
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. My parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergraduate student, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degree(s) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in the counseling master's program. I was recently admitted to the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Oklahoma City University and will begin classes in the fall of 2024. I aspire to work as a forensic psychologist within the justice system to provide better care for mentally ill individuals that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without the financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress. If I were awarded the Robert Lawyer Memorial Scholarship, I would have the ability to lessen my workload and dedicate more of my time to my academic goals.
    Charles Cheesman's Student Debt Reduction Scholarship
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. My parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergraduate student, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degree(s) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in the counseling master's program. I was recently admitted to the Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Oklahoma City University and will begin classes in the fall of 2024. I aspire to work as a forensic psychologist within the justice system to provide better care for mentally ill individuals that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without the financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress. If I were awarded the Charles Cheesman's Student Debt Reduction Scholarship, I would have the ability to lessen my workload and dedicate more of my time to my academic goals.
    Mental Health Empowerment Scholarship
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. My parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergraduate student, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I was recently admitted to the doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Oklahoma City University and will begin classes in fall of 2024. I aspire to work as a forensic psychologist within the justice system to provide better care for mentally ill individuals that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degree(s) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in my master's program. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without the financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress.
    Autumn Davis Memorial Scholarship
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. My parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergraduate student, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I was recently admitted to the doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Oklahoma City University and will begin classes in fall of 2024. I aspire to work as a forensic psychologist within the justice system to provide better care for mentally ill individuals that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degree(s) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in my master's program. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without the financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress.
    Elevate Mental Health Awareness Scholarship
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. My parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergraduate student, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I was recently admitted to the doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at Oklahoma City University and will begin classes in fall of 2024. I aspire to work as a forensic psychologist within the justice system to provide better care for mentally ill individuals that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degree(s) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in my master's program. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without the financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress.
    Ethan To Scholarship
    Winner
    My name is Tina Pinedo. I was born in Peru and immigrated to Oklahoma when I was 4 years old. I came to the United States with my mother and my father. Both of my parents did not graduate high school. There were times when they felt that their lack of education was limiting their progress in the United States. Due to this, they engraved in me the value of an education. As an undergrad, I chose psychology and forensic science as my majors because I noticed the lack of representation for minority populations within these fields. After graduating with my bachelor's, I was offered an opportunity to join the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System as an investigator in the Capital Trial Division. My role as an investigator for the Capital Trial Division has emphasized to me the lack of diversity and knowledge of mental illness in the justice system. I decided to pursue a master’s in counseling psychology to grow my knowledge of mental illness and apply it to social reform. My time as an investigator for a government agency has emphasized to me the need for more attainable mental health care in the United States. I have worked with clients that were being charged with criminal offenses that were caused by their mental illness. These clients are low-income and rely on government resources for medical care. Unfortunately, mental health care is not heavily funded by our government and the care they need is not provided until they are incarcerated. It truly is gut-wrenching to watch individuals that are struggling with severe mental illnesses be neglected and ultimately lose their freedom. I aspire to pursue a doctorate in counseling psychology and work within the justice system to provide better care for the minorities that are labeled criminals in the system. I believe that informing others about mental health is the only way to combat the stigma that surrounds the topic of mental illness. It is especially important, that mental health care is endorsed as preventive care rather than solely emergency care. I am passionate about my goals and have worked relentlessly to reach them. I have had the privilege of having my parents' emotional support through college. However, financial support has not been easily available. My father passed away in 2020 and my mother has been unable to work because of health issues. Due to this, I have worked full-time while being a full-time student throughout college to support myself and my family. Although financial burdens have been present throughout my academic career, I have not let this weigh down my progress. I was able to continue striving academically, accomplishing my bachelor's degree(s) with a 3.8 grade point average, and receiving a 4.0 grade point average in my first semester of graduate school. It must be emphasized that my academic accomplishments would not have been possible without financial support from financial aid and scholarships. I am eternally grateful for the opportunities I have gotten in life and am dedicated to my academic progress.