Irma is an aspiring counseling psychologist and first-generation doctoral student. In August 2026, she began her PhD journey—a milestone that represents far more than the start of graduate school. It reflects years of perseverance and a willingness to take an unconventional path toward her goals. Born in El Salvador, Irma immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up in Los Angeles, California. Growing up in a culturally diverse city shaped how she understands people, community, and belonging, while teaching her to appreciate the richness that comes from different cultures and people's lived experiences.

In 2022, after a thirteen-year detour from higher education, Irma enrolled at Los Angeles City College (LACC) as a nontraditional student. Returning to school became the beginning of a journey she once thought might no longer be possible. While working hard to excel academically, she also found purpose in supporting other students. As a writing tutor and student mentor at LACC's Writing Center, she helped fellow students strengthen their writing, navigate college, and build confidence in their own abilities.

In 2024, Irma transferred to Cal Poly Pomona (CPP), where she graduated summa cum laude in 2026. Her time at CPP became especially meaningful because of the mentors who helped her imagine possibilities beyond earning a bachelor's degree. Through research, mentorship, and programs such as McNair, she began to see graduate school and her dream of becoming a counseling psychologist as goals within reach.

Irma is deeply aware that she did not arrive at this point alone. Her journey has been shaped by family, friends, professors, mentors, peers, and countless people who saw potential in her, sometimes before she fully saw it in herself. Their encouragement reminded her to keep echándole ganas—to keep showing up, working hard, and moving forward even when the path felt uncertain.

Today, as she begins the next chapter of her journey, Irma hopes to carry that same spirit of community forward: learning from those who came before her, creating space for those coming after her, and sharing the realities of becoming a scholar along the way.