Pepperdine GSEP Spotlight Series: Denisse Gonzalez

The Pepperdine GSEP Spotlight Series highlights students and alumni whose journeys reflect Purpose, Service, and Leadership in action. Our next spotlight features Denisse Gonzalez (MA in Clinical Psychology with Latinx Communities, Aliento Program), whose resilience and dedication to serving others exemplify the strength and impact of the Pepperdine GSEP community.

Denisse Gonzalez’s journey at Pepperdine University is nothing short of transformative. A first-generation Mexican-American woman, Denisse arrived at Pepperdine in Fall 2020 with a deeply personal calling: to help others, just as her therapist had helped her during her mental health journey. For Denisse, Pepperdine was more than a prestigious university; it was a place that aligned with her core values of purpose, service, and leadership—values she holds close to her heart.

Her entry into the MA in Clinical Psychology with Latinx Communities “Aliento” Program, under the exceptional leadership of Dr. Miguel Gallardo, professor and director of Aliento, marked a pivotal moment in Denisse’s life.

“I felt like I had found where I truly belonged, said Denisse. “I began the program as one of the most committed and eager graduate students, ready to embrace every opportunity, but life soon tested my resilience in ways I could never have imagined.”

During her first semester, Denisse’s health took an unexpected turn. She faced life-threatening complications from COVID-19, which led to paralysis from Guillain-Barré Syndrome. What followed was an uphill battle of hospitalizations, rehabilitation, and a second autoimmune diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Each challenge forced her to relearn basic functions and confront moments of profound vulnerability. Yet, through it all, her commitment to return to her education and service only deepened.

“Upon my return, Pepperdine gave me not just an education but a sense of purpose and belonging—a community that supported me when I needed it most, said Denisse. “My experiences reaffirmed my purpose and clarified my mission: to help individuals living with disabilities and chronic illnesses navigate their diagnoses with empathy, understanding, and connection, just as I have.”

Despite ongoing health challenges, she has persisted with the support of family, friends, and her Aliento community, who have made every step of this journey possible. This unique experience has helped her align her values with her academic goals, fostering a deeper connection to her studies and her cultural background as a first-generation Mexican-American woman.

One of the most rewarding aspects of Denisse’s Pepperdine journey has been her role as a graduate assistant for the Pepperdine GSEP Online MACLP Clinical Training Department, under the guidance of Dr. Amy Tuttle-Guerrero. Through this position, Denisse found a deep passion for academia and the opportunity to support fellow students. She played a key role in organizing opportunities such as a Narrative Therapy conference in San Diego this past November, overseeing two different scholarships, and contributing to a quarterly newsletter. 

“Each of these projects has allowed me to support students in meaningful ways, and I’ve wholeheartedly enjoyed assisting our team in providing resources and offering support to the students.”

Denisse’s journey at Pepperdine has been one of resilience, fueled by the unwavering support of her family, friends, and the Aliento community. She looks forward to the day when she will walk across the stage at Alumni Park, diploma in hand, a powerful symbol of the strength, faith, and resilience that have defined her path.