“Words cannot express how honored and deeply appreciative I am to be selected as an Inamori Fellow,” said Livingston, who is a second-year graduate student in the Department of Counseling and School Psychology’s Community-Based Block (CBB) Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Program.
“As a first-generation college student, the generous support of this scholarship has granted me the opportunity to afford graduate school and pursue my dreams,” added Livingston, who is pursuing a Master in Multicultural Clinical Counseling.
The Inamori Foundation was established in 1984 by Kazuo Inamori, founder and chairman of Kyocera and KDDI Corporation. As part of the fellowship, the 10 honorees each receive a $5,000 scholarship.
Each recipient has an SDSU faculty adviser or mentor who has recommended them. Fellows also must possess scholarly accomplishments such as awards, publications, and presentations and have committed time to focus on research and the pursuit of their degree.
Livingston said some of the funds from the scholarship have been used to further her educational endeavors and research opportunities. They include presenting at numerous conferences and working to publish a manuscript with her research team.
The scholarship has also granted her the opportunity of a lifetime—visiting Ethiopia.
“Traveling to a country in Africa has always been a dream of mine and with this scholarship my dream is coming to fruition,” said Livingston, adding that while in the African nation she will like to “explore the rich culture and history of the country, in addition to performing a short-term project in the community.”
She said she is looking forward to learning more about the issues that deeply impact the community, including poverty, educational and cultural literacy, hunger, the environment, homelessness and health-related issues.
“I am passionate about being a change agent and healer for marginalized communities who suffer from mental and emotional trauma,” said Livingston, who is an intern with the Southern Indian Health Council and will be graduating in May.
The Community-Based Block Program provides multicultural community counseling and social justice education that prepares students to become culturally competent licensed professional clinical counselors, who provide services to people and communities through internships, research, placements and community engagement.
“My ultimate goal following CBB is to further my education by pursuing a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology,” Livingston said. “I hope to provide direct mental health services to communities that have been deeply impacted by trauma.”