Meet Melissa S. (she/her), a Colgate-Palmolive Scholar who is pursuing her doctorate degree in clinical psychology at Oregon State University.

What is your dream?

My dream is to become a clinical psychologist who integrates research with clinical practice. Through my research, I aim to identify and address the systemic barriers that prevent people with disabilities from accessing equitable mental health care. Clinically, I hope to provide disability-informed care that supports the diverse needs of the disabled community.

Please share how you feel about the win and what impact it will have on your career.

I am deeply grateful for this win. It will allow me to conduct impactful research on mental health barriers faced by people with disabilities, with the goal of informing interventions such as disability cultural competency training.

What advice do you have for other women reaching for their dreams?

1. When you feel discouraged, remember why you had the dream in the first place. Whether you want to make your younger self proud or support your community, having a strong sense of purpose will sustain you when things don’t go according to plan.

2. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether from teachers, coaches, or people in your field who inspire you. People *do* want to help, and growth happens faster when you allow others to guide you.

3. Just because your dream hasn’t been achieved yet doesn’t mean it never will be. You have more power than you think.