Fresno State News

Lor Shoua Lee, a graduate student majoring in clinical rehabilitation and mental health, was named the University Student Volunteer of the Year after providing about 300 hours of service. The annual award, which includes a $1,500 scholarship, honors a Fresno State student who has made a difference in the community through exceptional gifts of their time and talent.

Lee’s volunteer service addressed community and cultural barriers the Hmong community faces in seeking mental health services. Lee’s service began as a mentor for Hmong adolescents while she facilitated workshops to enhance mental health awareness.

Lee, who is bilingual, continued her support of the Hmong community by participating in the Central California Women’s Conference and the Hmong New Year. She disseminated information at the events about how to seek culturally-responsive mental health care in the Central Valley. Lee utilized her training as a certified meditation coach to share mindfulness practices.

Lee leads the student group, Counselors for Hmong Americans, to educate other counselors on the needs of the Hmong American community. Lee also facilitated workshops for the Hmong Women Today mentorship program to create a safe space for adolescent mentees to access mental health resources and seek help as they navigated obstacles with obtaining college admission.

Additionally, Lee volunteered with Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries to build awareness about self-care and mental health among elderly Hmong individuals.

“Lor Shoua has the compassion, leadership, skills and vision to selflessly support the community,” said Song Lee, a faculty member in the Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation. “She also doesn’t wait for a volunteer effort to come to her, she seeks out efforts to support the Hmong community and the field of counseling.”

The University Student Volunteer of the Year Award is sponsored by Fresno State’s Community Service Scholarship Program, in memory of Marc and Marjorie Radin. The award is administered by the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning and the Career Development Center at Fresno State.

Lee, along with other service award honorees, will be recognized at the annual Spirit of Service Awards hosted by Fresno State President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval on May 3.