Celebrating the Graduates of Our University Partnerships

Graduates from the California State University of Los Angeles

Graduation is more than a ceremony—it’s a testament to perseverance, purpose, and community. As the academic year closes, we’re proud to celebrate a new class of graduates from our university partners at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), Cal State LA, and Fresno State. These partnerships are at the heart of the California Scottish Rite Foundation’s mission, helping to shape the future of speech-language pathology and communication sciences through collaboration, clinical experience, and shared values.

Stronger Together: The Value of University Partnerships

Members of the California Scottish Rite Foundation and the Staff from the Department of Speech-Language Pathology, California State University of Long Beach.

At the California Scottish Rite Foundation, we believe in the power of partnerships to transform lives. Through our ongoing collaboration with CSULB, Cal State LA, and Fresno State, we are able to support emerging professionals in speech-language pathology by offering meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that bridge theory and practice.

These partnerships fuel our RiteCare Childhood Language Centers and help cultivate a pipeline of skilled, compassionate clinicians. Whether providing direct therapy services to children in need or conducting cutting-edge research, these students are shaping the future of our field—and our communities.

Spotlight: Elise Guerra, Fresno State

Elise Guerra, of El Nido, earned her M.A. in speech-language pathology with a 4.0 GPA from Fresno State University.

Among this year’s outstanding graduates is Elise Guerra, who earned her M.A. in speech-language pathology from Fresno State with a perfect 4.0 GPA. Elise’s story is one of incredible resilience and full-circle impact. A Smittcamp Family Honors Scholar and lifelong Bulldog, Elise was inspired to pursue speech-language pathology after surviving a severe traumatic brain injury as a child. Her journey—from patient to clinician—is a powerful reminder of how personal experiences can shape purposeful careers.

Elise completed clinical hours at the Fresno State-Scottish Rite Speech and Language Clinic, where she worked with children facing complex communication challenges. She later served adults recovering from brain injuries at the same rehabilitation center that once helped her heal—Community Regional Medical Center’s Leon S. Peters Rehabilitation Center. There, she educated families, treated cognitive-communication disorders, and developed an innovative treatment model on executive functioning in adolescents with autism.

In addition to her clinical work, Elise presented her thesis at the California Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convergence, held leadership roles with Associated Students, Inc., and plans to return to Fresno State to pursue a Ph.D. and eventually become a professor.

Celebrating Every Graduate

While Elise’s journey is exceptional, she represents a broader community of graduates from CSULB, Cal State LA, and Fresno State who are ready to make their mark. These students have spent countless hours in classrooms, clinics, and communities—learning not just how to treat speech and language disorders, but how to listen, advocate, and lead.

As they enter the workforce, we are proud to have played a part in their growth and development. Through our university partnerships, we provide more than clinical opportunities—we provide a foundation for careers rooted in service and impact.

Looking Ahead: The Power of Community

A student clinician from Cal State LA and her client.

The journey doesn’t end with a diploma. Many of our graduates remain connected through mentorship, continued education, and community engagement. Our university partnerships create a dynamic network of clinicians, educators, and advocates who support one another long after graduation.

We invite our partners, alumni, and supporters to continue walking alongside us. Whether through research collaboration, student training, or supporting the RiteCare Centers, every touchpoint strengthens the mission we share: to help children find their voice and to support the professionals who help them speak.

Final Words

To the graduates of all of our university partnerships—congratulations. Your hard work, heart, and service have already made a difference. We’re honored to have supported your journey and can’t wait to see where your path leads next.

To current students: Get involved. Ask questions. Lean into the opportunities available through your university’s partnership with the California Scottish Rite Foundation.

Together, we’re building a future where every child is heard—and every graduate is empowered to help make that future possible.