Graduating with a Master of Social Work and a 4.0 GPA, Lisa Raimondo was the 2022 Stanislaus State recipient of the California State University’s highest student honor — the Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement.
She was one of 23 students — one from each CSU campus — who received the award last fall for demonstrating superior academic performance, personal accomplishments, community service and inspirational goals for the future.
“It was such an honor to be recognized for my dedication and successes,” said Raimondo, who still recalls with pride that in her nomination, University President Ellen Junn called her “an example of resilience and tenacity who is excelling academically and shows considerable potential in her area of study.”
Raimondo came to Stan State in fall 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Sacramento State after overcoming a difficult childhood that included homelessness and the loss of family members.
Determined to help others improve their lives as a licensed therapist, she set her sights on earning a Master of Social Work and took a very pragmatic approach to finding the right university.
“I first asked myself, ‘Where can I afford to live?’” said Raimondo, who lived in San Mateo at the time. “After I narrowed down the search, I dove into the curriculum for each school I was interested in.”
She saw that Stan State offered numerous clinical elective courses in its MSW program. That turned out to be “the ultimate decision maker” for her.
When she arrived on campus, she hit the ground running. She enrolled in an international social work class with Associate Professor Sevaughn Banks and spent two weeks in Ghana, West Africa, working with organizations and communities to address food insecurity. The experience was transformational.
“As a cultural ambassador, the trip widened my ability to practice cultural humility and develop myself into a more culturally competent, well-rounded individual and social work practitioner,” she said.
When Raimondo returned home, she celebrated Juneteenth by educating her co-workers in a predominantly white workplace about the West African experience during the slave trade era. Then she focused her graduate project on exploring white fragility.
Most recently, she completed a clinical internship at Sacred Bonds Counseling and Wellness in Sonora, and she credits her supervisor there with helping her grow significantly both professionally and personally.
After graduating, Raimondo plans to register with the state Board of Behavioral Sciences and work the supervised hours she needs to become a licensed clinical social worker.
“My goal is to become a therapist, working with oppressed populations of diverse backgrounds, specializing in complex trauma addressing inequalities and demanding social justice,” she said.
#StanGrad File
Name
Lisa Raimondo
Hometown
San Mateo, CA
Degree/Credential
Master of Social Work
What memories stand out most from your time at Stanislaus State?
“There are two memories that stand out the most during my time at Stanislaus State. The first is winning the CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. It was such an honor to be recognized for my dedication and successes. Additionally, attending and speaking at the Out of the Darkness Walk for suicide prevention was incredibly meaningful to me. Mental health outreach is a passion I hold close to my heart, and I love being able to use my voice and power to advocate for others.”
Which faculty or staff member had the greatest impact on you, and why?
“President Ellen Junn has made a lasting impact on me both personally and professionally. We met for the first time at the award ceremony for the CSU Trustees’ Award and she instantly gave me a hug! She later took me out to lunch and welcomed me not as a student but as a human being. She took the time to connect with me on a deeper level, leading to the most amazing conversations about life, challenges and what it means to find meaning in life’s suffering. Her story is so inspiring, and I hope to one day make a lasting impact on as many people as she has.”
What advice would you give to current and future students?
“I personally have developed the mindset of ‘always learning, always growing.’ Not only does it help put the ego to rest, but it develops a positive outlook, putting you in the driver's seat to achieve the goals that you want for yourself. Additionally, I’d highly recommend getting involved and finding your community, whether that be through your major, hobbies or culture. Take advantage of every opportunity that Stan State has to offer!”
Note: This article is part of the StanGrad series highlighting Stanislaus State students who are part of the Class of 2023. Read more StanGrad profiles.
