Growing up as a first-generation Cambodian American woman in Lincoln Heights, Alyssa Khuon’s experiences with cultural identity and mental health greatly impacted her academic journey. She sees students today navigating similar circumstances, and she wants to help.
“Choosing to study counseling was not simply an academic decision; it was a calling. This field allows me to confront the barriers that once isolated me and help dismantle them for others,” said Khuon, who is pursuing her degree in clinical mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy at Cal State Fullerton.
In recognition of her academic accomplishments and commitment to helping students reach their full potential, Khuon was awarded the California State University Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement. She was named a John and Beverly Stauffer Foundation Scholar for the 2026-27 academic year.
The award recognizes Khuon’s outstanding academic performance, exemplary community service and remarkable personal achievements.
“Alyssa draws from her own lived experiences to create sustainable, culturally informed spaces where marginalized youth are seen and empowered,” said CSUF President Ronald Rochon. “She embodies the resilience, clinical aptitude and heart for service that define the very best of our Titan community.”
This year’s class of awardees will collectively receive more than $200,000 in scholarships. As a John and Beverly Stauffer Foundation Scholar, Khuon was awarded a $15,000 scholarship.
“I’m a full-time mom and graduate student, so this award will help me further my career because I can continue going to school and learning how to pour back into the communities I care about,” said Khuon, who is the first in her family to go to college. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social welfare from UC Berkeley before joining the national Teach for America program.
As an educator, she witnessed how students’ social, emotional and cultural experiences impacted their success in the classroom: “Behavioral challenges were often framed as defiance, but I quickly learned they were expressions of unmet needs.”
Her goal is to return to the field of education as a licensed counselor so she can develop trauma-informed systems that bridge the gap between clinical practice and educational reform. By bringing social-emotional learning into the classroom, she aims to create spaces where mental health is discussed and normalized, especially in underserved communities.
She trusted the College of Health and Human Development to help her achieve this goal because of its reputation for cultural competency training and its history of partnering with local community agencies to provide students with hands-on experience.
“The counseling program prepares us to be culturally competent counselors. We work with people from all different backgrounds, which gives us a well-rounded understanding of various communities and the challenges they face,” she said.
CSUF is among just eight universities in California accredited in clinical mental health counseling by the prestigious Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Additionally, the Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling and marriage and family therapy fulfills the educational requirements for licensure as a professional clinical counselor or marriage and family therapist in California.
“As someone who has worked with different counselors throughout my life, I know that the best ones understand how my cultural identity impacts my experience,” explained Khuon. “This program has taught me to always be culturally humble and curious, so that I can be that person for others.”
Each year, students apply for the CSU Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Achievement through their campus financial aid office. With support from campus leadership, each CSU campus selects and forwards nominations to the CSU Foundation. Awardees are selected by the Awards Selection Committee, which consists of leaders from the Board of Trustees, Academic Senate, Alumni Council and California State Student Association.