Meet Senior Alexis Rivera
Alexis Rivera ‘25 works in academic advising and hopes to become a mental health therapist.
Hi, my name is Alexis Rivera, and I’m a senior at SCU, hoping to begin my master’s program in the spring quarter. As a local student born and raised in the area, I have been working as an academic advisor with low-income and first-generation students at underprivileged schools across San Jose, helping them get to college and pursue higher education opportunities. I advise them on the classes they’re taking and help these students apply to college, scholarships and financial aid. As well as communicating other options aside from college that are available to them. A few fun facts about me are that I used to be a competitive cheerleader, I love dogs,
and love to travel.
Why did you choose SCU?
I chose SCU because of its strong networking and internship opportunities that align with my career goals. Additionally, when I toured the campus, every single person I met genuinely seemed happy to be part of this community, which made a lasting impression on me.
What do you hope to do with your degree?
With my degree, I hope to become a mental health therapist because I’ve seen how a healthy mental outlook can transform someone’s life. Today, medication is often the first solution for mental health concerns, but I want to help people manage their emotions in a more holistic way. My goal is to empower clients to understand and process their feelings, building resilience and balance through supportive, comprehensive approaches. In the future, I hope to earn a Ph.D. and teach. I’ve seen the impact one great teacher can have, and I hope to make that kind of difference to the next generation.
What are some of your favorite courses and why?
One of my favorite courses is Psychopathology. I find it really interesting to learn about the complexities of mental disorders, their causes, and their effects on people’s lives, and how they significantly differ from our own life. I took the introductory course last year, and now I’m taking Advanced Topics in Psychopathology, where we’re diving deeper into these areas.