Name: Leiah Ortiz
Program: M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Graduation: Spring 2025
Program: M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Graduation: Spring 2025
Q: Why did you choose to enroll in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program at A&M–Central Texas?
A: "What I liked about it was that it wasn’t strictly online. I got to be here to know my teachers and instructors more. My instructors were always available to me, which was really helpful because I got to get to know them a little more, understand what research they were doing, and connect with them. You can tell that all my instructors were very invested in their students and really care about them. I just love them. It’s the best faculty I’ve ever had at any school."
Q: What was your experience like applying to the master’s program at A&M–Central Texas?
A: "It’s pretty inexpensive. Budget-wise, it was really easy on me. The entrance into the master’s program wasn’t too complicated. They weren’t asking for a bunch of things, which really makes education (attainable) for everybody. When I applied, I didn't have to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), and that probably would have held me back because I hadn’t been in school for seven years since my bachelor’s degree. So, that was really important for me, too—that it can be attainable and not too scary to apply here. Thankfully, I got in, so I was happy."
Q: What made you passionate about the line of work you're seeking a degree in?
A: "I was a pharmacy technician for 15 years, and I just saw that people in the hospitals could be really, really sad or really happy and enjoying their life. You wouldn’t think they would have a chronic illness, and it was really interesting to me that someone’s mindset, their mind-body connection, could actually really improve their life. I just felt capable of becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) because I can work with different emotions pretty calmly."
Q: What are some of the key skills and knowledge areas you’ve gained from your program?
A: “We learn basic skills of becoming an LPC, like reflecting feelings, summarization, and paraphrasing, which are core skills. But we also learn protocols for treatment of different mental health disparities and how to approach all kinds of clients, including minoritized people."
Q: Is there a professor, mentor, or class that has had a significant impact on you during your time here?
A: “(Dr. Samantha Airhart-Larraga) is a mentor to me. She was my instructor for a few classes and has allowed me to be a part of her research. She has allowed me to go to her with questions that I have and has given me incredible advice. I’m forever thankful for her. I wouldn’t be here now, believing that I can make an impact on the world, if it weren’t for her.”
Q: What has been your most rewarding experience at the university so far?
A: “My personal growth has been pretty rewarding. My passion for helping low-income and minoritized communities, my (self-belief) that I can do it, and the support that I receive has been the most incredible experience.”
Q: What advice would you give to incoming students or those considering this university?
A: “Get to know your teachers more. Don’t be afraid to take their office hour time. They want to help, and they want to help to see you grow. Make sure to stay in contact with them because the research you help them with could instill a passion in you."