Presenter: Elisa Hernandez, PhD
Date: 20 May 2025
Time: 11am – 12pm
Course Length: 1.0 hours
CE Credits: 1.0
Where: Institute for Girls’ Development
95 N. Marengo Ave
Pasadena, CA 91101
Course Level: Introductory to Intermediate
Cost: There is no charge for this program. It is for Institute employee training only. Please go to the registration page on the Institute for Girls’ Development website to sign up
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OBJECTIVES
Participants will be able to
(1) Describe how identifying the unique challenges of First Gen individuals can guide effective problem solving
(2) Name the 8 correlates of success for First Generation College students.
(3) Describe how one would use the 8 correlates of success to guide assessment and treatment planning when working with the First Gen population.
SCHEDULE
11:00 – 11:05 Overview of definitions and research identified strengths/challenges of the First Gen population.
11:05 – 11:17 Review of the 8 correlates of First Gen College success, the barriers to success, and reflection of how these concepts can also be applied to First Gen Professionals.
11:17 – 11:29 Discussion of clinical considerations for first generation college students and professionals and exploration of clinical interventions that could prove effective when working with the First Gen population.
11:29 – 11:34 Working in pairs to discuss case vignettes.
11:34 – 11:40 Large group discussion of case vignettes.
11:40 – Noon Question and Answer Session regarding material and applying concepts to individual cases.
PRESENTER
Dr. Elisa Hernandez (PSY26012) (she/her) is a bicultural, bilingual, licensed counseling psychologist. As a first-generation college student herself, Dr. Hernandez specializes in the first-generation college student experience and the identity transitions that follow upon becoming a first-generation professional. After a decade working in university counseling centers, Dr. Hernandez started a telehealth practice, “First Gen Journey Counseling and Consulting,” focused on trauma, anxiety, identity transitions, and personal growth.
Dr. Hernandez earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Stanford University and her Doctorate in Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychology from UC Santa Barbara. During her time at UCSB, she worked with the Santa Barbara County Department of Mental Health, Hosford Counseling and Psychological Services Clinic, and UCSB Career Services. Dr. Hernandez conducted research focused on bicultural identity development, the role of social support in wellbeing, and the Latinx college student experience. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Counseling and Psychological Services at CSU Long Beach and her postdoctoral training at Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services at The Claremont Colleges. She was later welcomed as a staff member at both institutions and served the First-Generation college student population by offering workshops/presentations, speaking on panels, and hosting support spaces.
SAMPLE REFERENCES
Ferguson, Shea E., Nelson, Jackie A., & Duffy, Melissa C (2024) Stress and mental health: Social-emotional protective factors by gender and first-generation college student status.
Journal of College Student Mental Health, https://doi.org/10.1080/28367138.2024.2393394
Smolarek, B. B. (2025). Supporting first-generation graduate students. Nature Reviews Psychology, 4(4), 239–240. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44159-025-00433-1
Stebleton, M.J., Soria, K.M., Huesman, R.L., Jr., & Torres, V. (2014). Recent Immigrant Students at Research Universities: The Relationship Between Campus Climate and Sense of Belonging. Journal of College Student Development, 55(2), 196-202. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/csd.2014.0019.
CE APPROVALS
Illuminated Education is approved by the American 
Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Illuminated Education maintains the responsibility for this program and its content.
The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts APA approval for CE units for MFTs, LCSWs, LPPCs and/or LEPs.
Outside of California, please check with your licensing board to see whether APA approval is accepted for CE units in your state. Please call Dr. Cooper if you have further questions (626-744-9472).
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SPECIAL REQUESTS
Please contact Angela or Lisa if you need any accommodations or have requests.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please feel free to call (970) 556-7427 or e-mail Lisa Brooks at lbrooks@IFGD.care, with questions about the program and for registration information. For questions about Continuing Education units, please call Dr. Chris Cooper (626-744-9472) or email at cdcooperphd@earthlink.net .
If you email, please refer to this workshop in your subject line.