Criteria: Open to all Manchester University educational studies alumni who are actively involved in their field, have made significant contributions to their community, and provide exceptional service to the profession.
Nominate an Manchester University Educational Studies alumnus/alumna for Professional of the Year Award.
2024 Educational Studies Professional of the Year
Larissa Valdez graduated from Manchester University in 2017 with a BA in Educational Studies with a counseling concentration and Psychology. Our Alumni Professional of the Year was a legacy student. Her mother, Sheri Kmiecik Valdez, graduated in 1983. During both of their stays, they lived in East 130 and were able to talk about the fun times they had with their friends while “sharing” a room. Before all of this came about, Larissa was born and raised in Michigan City, Indiana, where her parents gifted her with the best education they could provide.
After graduating from Manchester University, Larissa attended Valparaiso University where she earned her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2019. She was quickly hired by Oaklawn Psychiatric Center in Goshen, Indiana, where she continues to work. Larissa spent her first year as a therapist in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and witnessed major reform in counseling, allowing changes in procedure and legislature that has either enhanced or restricted her abilities to help communities. She has since started to engage more with her clients and their families by leading group therapy such as Growing Beyond and AFFIRM in Goshen and Elkhart. She has special interest in helping the LQBTQ+ community, people with disordered eating, ASD, and those with trauma.
When not at work, Larissa is usually with her family, most notably her nephews. Friends are never too far behind since plans are always in the works, taking her all over the state. Larissa has participated in the National Immigrant Justice Center’s annual 5K for Immigrant Justice which raised $50,000 in 2023 for those in need of immigration legal services. She has a passion for social justice and advocating for the unheard.