Fox Cities News

Alondra Sanchez, a psychotherapist and co-owner of Cultura Counseling LLC in Menasha, has been named a 2025 recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (UWO). Sanchez, based in Appleton, provides bilingual mental health care to underserved communities, focusing on Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) and Spanish-speaking individuals.

Abbas Yaghmaian, a retired program manager in UWO’s Division of Academic Support and longtime mentor to Sanchez, nominated her for the award. “Alondra exemplifies a resourceful upwardly mobile professional with a promising future who explores all avenues to collaborate with various organizations such as schools, mental health clinics, community organizations and state agencies to facilitate and offer quality services to the community,” Yaghmaian said. “As a licensed mental health professional, she is in a strong position to serve as an advocate for the people she serves.”

Sanchez’s path began as a first-generation college student and daughter of Mexican immigrants. She transferred from UW–Milwaukee to UWO at age 19. Despite excelling in high school, she struggled academically in college and was close to failing courses during her junior year.

“When I first started at UWO, I was quite lost during my young adult life and really struggled with academics,” Sanchez said. “In my junior year, I was on the verge of failing two classes when Abbas reached out to me to offer support. Meeting with Abbas was meant to be and was the first time I felt like someone on campus was looking out for me.”

With support from mentors and involvement in campus life—including study abroad experiences working with indigenous communities in Australia and Peru—Sanchez found direction. After graduating in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a minor in Spanish, she continued seeking guidance from Yaghmaian. He encouraged her to consider graduate school.

“I laughed out loud and then realized he was being serious,” she recalled. “He asked if I would meet with the chair of the professional counseling program and I agreed. I learned about the program and decided to apply.”

Despite having a low undergraduate GPA, Sanchez was accepted into UWO’s professional counseling program due to her personal statement, recommendations, and potential. She earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with a 3.9 GPA by 2021.

“My success in this program increased my confidence in myself and my abilities,” she said. “Abbas and the professors in the professional counseling program have greatly impacted my life. I reflect on how grateful I am for these folks because without them, I would not be where I am today.”

Sanchez credits her mother’s support throughout her journey. Her mother came to the United States as a migrant worker at age 15 before settling permanently when Sanchez was four years old.

“My mom’s role in my success is huge,” Sanchez said. “She has always supported my studies the best that she could. She wanted me to go to college but never pressured me and was mostly focused on me being happy. My mom has provided so much guidance and wisdom over the years. Even when she had her own struggles, she showed up for me.”

Her mother now lives with Sanchez’s family and helps care for her daughter.

In 2023, Sanchez co-founded Cultura Counseling LLC with her sister Salma to provide accessible mental health care that is affirming and culturally informed.

“It’s a mental health private practice dedicated to providing quality pay and work life integration to therapists and providing quality care to the BIPOC community,” she said.

The clinic offers bilingual services for clients as young as five years old as well as pro bono therapy when possible.

Sanchez also serves as a youth advocate within Appleton schools; sits on the board of NEW Mental Health Connection; participates on The Suicide Prevention Action Team; and contributes as part of UWO Professional Counseling Program Advisory Board.

Teysha Bowser, assistant professor at UWO who coordinates its school counseling program, highlighted Sanchez's ongoing mentorship: “Alondra Sanchez has continued to support our professional counseling students by mentoring marginalized students, validating their experiences and offering guidance in navigating different systems,” Bowser said.

Reflecting on her journey so far—and what advice she would give her younger self—Sanchez emphasized resilience: “Everything always works out the way it is supposed to,” she said. “Seek support when you need it as we are not meant to do this life alone. Lastly, remember that people often project their own beliefs, fears, values onto you and only you know what is best for you. Do not be limited by other people’s opinions. Even if things do not go how you imagined, God and the universe always have your back.”

The University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh will honor eleven alumni during Homecoming weekend October 17-18 at its annual Alumni Awards Celebration (https://uwosh.edu/today/126515/eleven-uwo-alumni-to-be-honored-at-2025-alumni-awards-celebration-homecoming-weekend/). Five graduates will receive Outstanding Young Alumni Awards recognizing their achievements within fifteen years of graduation; five will receive Distinguished Alumni Awards; one will be recognized for outstanding service through volunteerism or philanthropy.