We were truly overwhelmed by the exceptional caliber of applicants for the 2025 Foundation scholarships. Nearly 40 outstanding individuals applied, each demonstrating remarkable talent and dedication. While we wish we could have supported everyone, limited funding allowed us to award scholarships to 14 truly exceptional recipients. These individuals are not only incredibly smart and accomplished, but they also possess a deep commitment to making a positive impact. We are confident that they will go on to achieve great things and make a significant difference in their fields and communities.
Lindsey Jackson
California State University San Marcos (CSUSM)
Hi! My name is Lindsey Jackson and I am a second-year graduate student. I received my bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University and will graduate in May from California State University San Marcos. I am a California native and hope to work locally as a school-based SLP after graduation.
Anisah Magaña
San Francisco State University
Anisah is a graduate student in speech-language pathology who’s still finding her niche but loves helping people communicate. She has experience in schools and private practice and is especially interested in making therapy feel natural, effective, and empowering for the people she works with.
Marissa Montañez
California State University, Fullerton
Marissa Montañez, a CSU Fullerton graduate student, holds a BA in Child Development from CSU San Bernardino and completed a post-baccalaureate program in Speech-Language Pathology. Her interests include multilingualism, cognitive-communication disorders, and traumatic brain injuries. She’s eager to serve the community in Southern California in her future career.
Kaitlin Moore
San José State University
Kaitlin is a first-year SLP graduate student from the Central Valley, who has a passion for ensuring everyone is heard and valued, regardless of how they communicate. She has a deep interest in bilingual education, and hopes to make a positive impact in this area through speech-language pathology.
Jairei Alexis “”Jai” Olarte
San Jose State University
A first-generation Filipino American graduate student at San Jose State University studying Speech Language Pathology. She has worked as an SLPA in the Central Valley and is currently a volunteer research assistant for the Dementia and Aphasia Research and Equity (DARE) Lab. She is grateful for the CSHA Foundation scholarship.
Jia Qiu
California State University at East Bay
Jia is an experienced early intervention practitioner, former special education teacher, and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. She is now pursuing a career as a speech-language pathologist, specializing in AAC and dysphagia.
Yakelin Rocha Luna
California State University Monterey Bay
My name is Yakelin Rocha and I am the proud daughter of two Mexican immigrants who have given me the opportunity to be the first in my family to receive a higher education. I hope to make positive contributions within Hispanic communities as a speech-language pathologist!
Myriam Salazar
California State University Northridge
Myriam is a future clinician from District 7 who has dedicated her academic journey to promoting diversity and cultural competence through her research and Chicana background. Passionate about equity, she advocates for underrepresented communities, including incarcerated populations, aiming to expand access to services and create inclusive, culturally responsive care.
Jasmine Monet Sandoval
University of Redlands
A Bilingual Speech-Language Pathology graduate student and SLPA passionate about serving culturally and linguistically diverse populations. Jasmine is committed to providing inclusive, neurodiverse affirming, and evidence-based care. She also strives to empower individuals by bridging communication gaps and advocating for equitable access to speech and language services across diverse communities.
Maryam Sheebo
California State University, Fullerton
My name is Maryam Sheebo and I am a first generation college student pursuing a master’s degree Speech Language Pathology at CSU Fullerton. The field of Speech Language Pathology empowers individuals with communication differences and disorders through support to improve their quality of life, which I strive to do throughout my career.
Kinga Suto
California State University, Northridge – CSUN
As a Hungarian American SAG/AFTRA voice actor/actor, Kinga brings a unique lens in working with linguistically and culturally diverse populations. Volunteer experiences such as AIDS Healthcare Foundation Health Center, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and L.A. Speech and Language Therapy Center, have lead to a strong personal calling to support individuals with communication issues like her father, a stroke victim, who suffered dysphasia and lost his ability to speak and swallow. Kinga is currently a Masters of Science in the Communicative Disorders student at CSUN.
Nadia Bobyleva
California State University, Sacramento