Eight USC Rossier MFT graduate students awarded selective Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health stipends

USC Rossier announces that eight of its Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) graduating students were selected to participate in the prestigious Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH) Stipend Program, administered through Campbellsville University’s Los Angeles Education Center.

The competitive workforce initiative supports the next generation of mental health professionals committed to serving the public sector. Designed to bolster the Los Angeles County mental health system, the DMH Stipend Program awards selected graduate students with an $18,500 stipend and valuable clinical experience in public mental health settings. In return, awardees commit to serving one year in a community mental health agency in Los Angeles County following graduation.

“Our students exemplify the commitment, compassion and clinical excellence needed to make a meaningful impact in underserved communities,” said Theo Burnes, professor of clinical education with USC Rossier. “We are incredibly proud of their achievement and look forward to the positive change they will bring to Los Angeles County’s mental health landscape.”

Out of 390 applications submitted from 24 MFT programs across and surrounding Los Angeles County, only 71 stipends were awarded—eight of which went to outstanding students from USC.

The following received the 2025 USC MFT DMH Stipend recipients:

• Cattia Guidel
• Ashley Hernandez
• Zeru Li
• Salma Pena
• Sonia Pullido
• Daniela Semerjian
• Layla Slipper
• Xuejie Zhang

The DMH Stipend Program reflects a broader effort to build a diverse and qualified behavioral health workforce, dedicated to improving access and outcomes in mental healthcare throughout the region.

“At USC Rossier, we are deeply committed to preparing professionals who are not only highly skilled, but also driven by a sense of purpose and equity,” said USC Rossier Dean Pedro Noguera. “Our eight students represent the very best of that mission. Their selection for this program is a testament to their dedication to addressing the mental health needs of underserved communities across LA. We’re proud to support their journey and the meaningful impact they will undoubtedly make.”