Improving Wellness on Campus

The USC Mann School has added an on-site wellness counselor to provide support to students, faculty, staff and other members of the USC Mann community. Veronica Acosta, a graduate of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with six years of medical social work experience, most recently in the emergency department of St. Francis Medical Center in Lynwood, Calif. Here, she shares her background and goals for her new role at the school.

What made you interested in being a social worker?

I have always wanted to help people. I grew up in an eight-person home, and we lived in poverty and struggled in a variety of ways. I was guided by a therapist who helped me understand how to cope, find motivation, overcome barriers and process emotions while dealing with the beautiful yet chaotic aspects of life. Obtaining this support early on introduced me to my favorite word—resilience. I believe all humans have the ability to be resilient. We just need support to help us process how to get there. Becoming an LCSW is the greatest act of resilience that I have ever accomplished, and I am happy to share support in any way I can.

Tell us about your most recent experience before joining USC Mann. Working in an emergency department during the pandemic allowed me to realize that there has to be more supportive counseling or mental health accessibility for those in the medical field. COVID affected many of us in an emotional way. I worked closely with physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, trauma physicians and medical technicians who had to cope with their own fears while working on the front lines.

What kind of wellness culture would you like to create at USC Mann?

I want to normalize the stress of being a student while minimizing barriers to seeking support. I want to create a culture in which students are willing to ask for help and feel comfortable reaching out during stressful academic moments. In addition to my 9 a.m.-5 p.m. workweek schedule on the Health Sciences Campus, I am available via Zoom on weekends and evenings. Stress sometimes hinders us from performing at the best of our ability—but using resources, like me, can help students normalize any emotions or feelings that they may have about their academic trajectory.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I am currently training for the L.A. Marathon. I have a supportive partner who I enjoy running, cooking and having funny conversations with. I really enjoy making others laugh.

What else would you like the USC Mann community to know about you and your work?

I am passionate about fostering the wellness and success of others. Feel free to reach out to me at vaacosta@usc.edu. As this is a new position, we will all be learning together how to make sure this is successful.