Barbara Mendez-Campos

“One of the main reasons I decided to attend UCF was because of the LEAD Scholars program. It is through LEAD that I was able to grow in my leadership and communication skills. I remember as a Peer Mentor having to present elevator pitches, implement experiential teaching, and develop presentations in completely new and challenging ways. These are skills that allowed me to not only round out my undergraduate career by attaining Order of Pegasus, the most prestigious award at UCF but also to implement my skills beyond campus in communities. As a licensed clinical social worker in private practice and healthcare settings, I have implemented experiential practices to help the most vulnerable populations struggling with a range of health, mental health, grief, and substance abuse issues, with a major focus on culturally responsive care. After working in the field for years and implementing the main value of making a difference that is so ingrained in LEAD scholars, I have committed myself to address underrepresented groups in healthcare by pursuing a Ph.D. to conduct research that improves programs in communities of color and improves our healthcare systems”.