Nadia Lobo's Path to Healing
Public health and psychology double major Nadia Lobo ’26 found purpose in accompaniment and a future in trauma-informed care.
By Kate Vander Vort ’27
When Nadia Lobo ’26 came to Santa Clara University from San Diego, California she was immediately drawn to both the systemic and personal sides of well-being. Lobo pursued a double major in public health science and psychology, a combination that shaped her experience on and off campus.
“I believe you cannot fully address human well-being without looking at both the individual and the system,” Lobo said. “Public health gives me that systemic lens, while psychology helps me understand people and their stories.
Throughout her time at SCU, Lobo built a strong foundation rooted in service, leadership, and community. Through the Ignatian Center, she served as both an Arrupe Fellow and a Jean Donovan Fellow, experiences that introduced her to accompaniment-based service. From mentoring adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to supporting women at a safehouse for survivors of sex trafficking, her work emphasized connection, care, and presence.
On campus, Lobo also served as Mental Health Chair for Rho Psi Eta, a professional, pre-health academic sorority, creating spaces where students could prioritize their well-being and feel supported. Whether through leadership, service, or advocacy, she consistently worked to make care more accessible and meaningful.
Go Where People Need You
A defining theme of Lobo’s time at SCU has been her commitment to meeting people where they are, both emotionally and structurally. She held a number of roles off campus where she applied this mindset.
As a Mental Health Parity Intern with the County of Santa Clara Health System, she helped design and deliver a campaign educating the community about their rights to mental health services. The role deepened her understanding of the systemic barriers that prevent people from accessing care and strengthened her passion for health equity.
At the same time, her work as a Resident Guide Intern at GenerateHope grounded her in the day-to-day realities of care. She supported women at a safehouse through both logistical tasks, like helping with benefits applications and appointments, and everyday moments of connection, from cooking meals together to tending a garden.
“These experiences showed me that healing doesn’t just happen in big moments. It’s often in the small, consistent acts of care.”
Turning Ideas Into Action
Lobo carried that same mindset into her academic work. For her public health capstone, she and her team developed “Roots in the Garden,” a workshop at the Forge Garden designed for patients of Roots Community Health Center.
The project focused on making nutrition accessible by turning theory into practice. Through a “Chop and Talk” session, participants learned about the health benefits of seasonal ingredients while gaining hands-on experience preparing food. Each participant left with fresh produce, recipes, and resources to continue healthy habits at home.
“We wanted to make healthy eating feel tangible,” Lobo said. “Something people could actually take with them and use in their everyday lives.”
Building an Ethical Foundation
One of Lobo’s most impactful courses, Ethics in Psychology, challenged her to think about her future career beyond technical knowledge. The class emphasized that ethical practice is not just about following rules, but about striving toward a higher standard of care rooted in respect, responsibility, integrity, competence, and compassion.
“It taught me that who you are as a person matters just as much as what you know,” she said. “Being an ethical therapist is a lifelong commitment.”
Embrace Growth
Looking back on her four years, Lobo is most proud of how she pushed herself beyond her comfort zone.
“I took on roles that felt intimidating and stepped into spaces that challenged my perspective,” she said. “That growth and resilience are what I value most about my time here.”
For incoming students, her advice reflects that same mindset: “You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Focus on finding what you care about and the people you can truly be yourself with. That’s what will shape your experience.”
Looking Ahead
This fall, Lobo will attend Pepperdine University to pursue a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She hopes to specialize in trauma-informed care, supporting individuals and families as they build resilience and heal.
As she prepares for her next chapter, Lobo carries with her the lessons she learned at SCU, about service, connection, and the power of meeting people where they are.