2024 Lucero Scholar: Valeria Serrano

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. BS in Neuroscience from Temple University.

Hello! My name is Valeria Serrano. I am incredibly honored and grateful to have been named the 2024 Lucero Scholar. This recognition is deeply meaningful to me, as it celebrates not only my commitment to my Latinx community but also my ongoing work to destigmatize mental health. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been passionate about helping others, particularly by creating safe and inclusive spaces for people to discuss mental health openly. In my roles as a Bilingual Youth Mentor and a Bilingual Crisis TextLine Volunteer, I have dedicated myself to supporting individuals who might not otherwise have access to the help they need, offering guidance, empathy, and understanding in both English and Spanish.

The Cynthia Lucero Scholarship empowers me to expand these efforts, fueling my passion toward promoting equitable mental health care for the Latinx community and other underserved communities. With this support, I can continue using my education to amplify voices, address critical needs, and make a difference within the field of Psychology. This scholarship not only pushes me forward in my journey, but also allows me to honor Dr. Lucero’s legacy of compassion and connection.

Entering Class of 2024 Clinical Psychology PsyD