Class of 2025: Marian Herboso

Arriving at UVA from her hometown of Virginia Beach, VA with a passion for youth, Marian Herboso was eager for hands-on experiences across different fields working with adolescence. She found that and much more in the youth and social innovation major. This May, she graduates with her bachelor’s degree and a wide range of experiences, including uncovering an unexpected passion for research.

Q. Why did you choose the youth and social innovation program at the UVA School of Education & Human Development?

During high school, volunteering and participating in community service with youth made me realize how much I enjoy work that involves connecting with others. I’ve always been fascinated by how our individual experiences shape who we are, and I loved learning about what motivates people, their interests, and how they see the world. That experience sparked my desire to work with adolescents long-term, which led me to the youth & social innovation (YSI) major.

I was drawn to the program because it offered the chance to explore meaningful engagement with youth while gaining hands-on experience across different fields. The interdisciplinary nature of YSI also allowed me to shape my studies around my passions—especially mental health and youth development—which eventually led me to declare a concentration in Youth Mental Health.

On top of that, the smaller class sizes at the School of Education & Human Development created space for authentic connection and collaboration, helping me build strong relationships with both peers and professors.

Overall, my experience as a YSI major has truly met and even exceeded what I initially hoped for in a program!

Q. How did your experiences at UVA and in the YSI program impact you?

I came into UVA as a very ambitious First-year with a detailed four-year plan—I envisioned myself conducting research, gaining clinical experience, and ultimately getting into a PhD program in clinical psychology as soon as I graduate. But the transition into college life was tougher than I expected, and I realized I needed to take a step back and really think about what I was truly passionate about when it came to working with youth. That reflection is actually one of the reasons the YSI program stood out to me so much!

Even before officially entering the major, I reached out to the program director, Dr. Melissa Levy, who connected me with current YSI students who shared similar interests. Every conversation I had was with someone who was not only passionate and driven, but also incredibly personable. That sense of community is what ultimately led me to declare YSI.

Throughout my time in the program, those early interactions stayed with me. I had the opportunity to take a wide range of classes—on educational policy, adolescent psychology, innovation, and more—which helped me become comfortable with not having everything planned out for the rest of college and what comes after.

I felt supported by both peers and professors, which gave me the confidence to reach out to career resources, explore different fields like school counseling or client-based psychological work, and really think critically about my future.

By being open to exploring different paths through my classes, mentorship, and conversations, I was ultimately able to reaffirm my passion for clinical psychology. I can confidently say I wouldn't have gotten to that point without the space and encouragement to explore everything UVA and the YSI program had to offer.

Q. What is one of the most significant things that has shaped your time while you’ve been here?

One of the most significant experiences that has shaped my time here has been serving as the outgoing co-chair of the Peer Advising Family Network, a mentoring initiative under Multicultural Student Services designed to help incoming students feel welcomed and supported by connecting them with current students.

Last year, during my membership term, I took on six new mentees, which initially worried me as I wasn't sure how I could meaningfully split my time among all of them. To my surprise, simply attending events alongside them and demonstrating genuine care and interest allowed not only strong connections to form between myself and my mentees but also fostered meaningful friendships among the mentees themselves.

Not only did I witness positive growth within my own relationships through this organization, but I also saw impactful bonds developing across other mentor-mentee pairings. Facilitating these relationships has deeply impacted me, reaffirming the incredible value of truly getting to know others and meeting them exactly where they are. Hearing mentors and mentees express gratitude for friendships they might never have formed without our organization has been especially fulfilling and motivates me to continue cultivating supportive, inclusive spaces.

Q. What is one thing you learned during your studies that surprised you most?

One of the most surprising things I learned during my studies was discovering how passionate I am about research.

When I first arrived at college, my primary interest had laid in clinical practice and working directly with individuals in therapeutic settings. However, after becoming involved in several research projects within the YSI and psychology majors, I found myself unexpectedly captivated by the research process itself.

This interest deepened significantly when I decided to complete a Distinguished Majors Honors Thesis in the psychology department, where I had the unique opportunity to design a qualitative study from the ground up, implement the research plan, and eventually see my data analyzed and interpreted. Throughout this experience, I gained a profound appreciation for the role research plays in shaping effective interventions, programs, and policies related to the mental health of youth.

Being exposed to research at an R1 university showed me the importance of evidence-based approaches, and how rigorous research can directly translate into beneficial, lasting innovations that support individuals and communities. This realization not only shifted my academic and professional trajectory but also inspired me to pursue a deeper understanding of the analytical methods and tools that can drive meaningful change within the field of mental health.

Q. What will you be doing next?

Right now, my future plans are to become a clinical psychologist! I am hoping to get more experience in research before applying to graduate school, so I have been applying to post-baccalaureate opportunities that allow me to coordinate or manage studies that align with my current interests!