Alumni Spotlight: Isabella Chhina '25
ACE “Was Pivotal for My Academic Career”
ACE alumna Isabella Chhina graduated from LMU in the spring of 2025. She was the valedictorian and a recipient of the ACE Outstanding Achievement Award. Today, Isabella is pursuing a Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Palo Alto University. We caught up with Isabella and asked her to reflect on her time in ACE and at LMU.
What was your overall experience at LMU, academically and personally?
Yeah, I loved LMU. It was just perfect for me. I think I loved the small class sizes and that, you know, you could really get to know your professor and people in your class, but also it didn’t feel like you were kind of trapped in the LMU bubble, you know. There were always people who you didn’t know, and you [were] also in a huge city with a bunch of opportunities. And then I got involved in ACE. … And that was pretty pivotal for my academic career. I mean, it really changed everything, and … [it] gave me a lot of opportunities.
What were some of the ACE program's greatest benefits to you?
I think definitely the weekly classes were really nice. Just being able to take a day out of your week … to think about the future was really nice and [it] kind of, I feel like, gave me a head start. And you know, the resources you receive in that class are also really beneficial. Even if sometimes, the activities might feel tedious, they will end up adding up to really help you in the future. I also met my mentor through ACE, [who] was an ACE alumnus. His name’s Travis. He was really instrumental in my whole grad journey and in applying to grad schools. He actually ended up leading me to the program that I’m in now. Like he kind of recommended I apply, and then also just I would just say, like, the constant support you receive, like always knowing that Mr. Neal is there to answer any questions, and the alumni network is just amazing because, you know, it’s like not only are they LMU students, but they’re also [former] ACE students, so I feel like they're a lot more willing to talk to you and to give you guidance.
What are your career goals, and how do you see your graduate degree preparing you?
I think I want to work mainly in clinical settings, but maybe also do some teaching or research on the side; but definitely, mainly clinical. I don't know exactly what kind of settings I want to work in yet, but maybe like hospitals, rehabs, private practice ….
What was the graduate application process like, and what advice would you give to ACE students as they prepare to apply?
Definitely don't do it alone, meaning, don't feel like you have to figure everything out yourself. Reach out to people, whether it's current students in the program you're applying to, or … alumni, family members, friends, anyone who's in your field, or [someone who has] applied to grad school or something of the sort. Like, make sure you get help because [there are] so many things that I didn't know that I got advice for that really helped me in the application process. And then also, I know it's hard, and I didn't even really take that advice, but just relax and realize that everything will end up working out …. I think [you will] find that whatever program you end up going to, it's going to be the best one for you. So, just kind of trusting the process and relaxing a little bit, I would say.