Pepperdine Graduates Earn $407,000 Through Los Angeles County Mental Health Stipend Program
Twenty-two graduates of Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) have been selected to receive stipends through the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (LACDMH) 2025–2026 Stipend Program, a competitive initiative designed to strengthen the county’s behavioral health workforce.
The selected Pepperdine graduates will receive a combined total of $407,000 in funding, with each recipient awarded an $18,500 stipend. Among those recognized, 20 completed Pepperdine’s Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (MACLP) program, while two are graduates of the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program.
Pepperdine had the highest number of stipend recipients among participating institutions, underscoring the University’s commitment to preparing mental health professionals equipped to meet the growing demand for care throughout Southern California and beyond.
Administered by LACDMH, the stipend program supports the development of the public mental health workforce by providing financial assistance to emerging professionals pursuing careers in behavioral health. The initiative helps increase access to mental health services in high-need and underserved communities across Los Angeles County.
This recognition reflects both the academic excellence of Pepperdine’s graduates and the University’s mission to prepare practitioners who lead lives of purpose, service, and leadership. As these graduates continue their professional journeys, they will contribute to expanding access to quality mental health care and strengthening the well-being of the communities they serve.
The following Pepperdine graduates were selected to receive the 2025–2026 LACDMH stipend:
MFT Recipients
- Jaquelin Aquino
- Ana Arevalo
- Rebecca Audette
- Hayley Benitez
- Carmen Bramasco
- Olga Christodoulides
- Sabrina Franciosi
- Joy Frederich
- Anacarina Gomez
- Salma Gomez
- Valerie Gooch
- Jessica Gutierrez
- Natalie Leal
- Jaqueline Mendez
- Maya Millan
- Stephanie Morales
- Leslie Ramirez
- Maria Ramirez Lopez
- Uche Ugwu
- Qiu Zhong
PsyD Recipients
- Rathail Woods
- Elizabeth Cabadas
Pepperdine University congratulates these graduates on this significant achievement and their dedication to advancing mental health care throughout Los Angeles County.