USF Grads Lead with Care
Whether guiding clients through healing, advocating for marginalized groups, or helping mentor the next generation of professionals, many alumni from the University of San Francisco share careers in compassion and service.
For Morgan Cosby Howson ’10, Andrew Dela Rama ’00, and Stephanie Estrada ’13, those paths started at USF, where classes, community, and mentorships laid a foundation and prepared them for careers in caregiving.
Morgan Cosby Howson ’10
For Howson, the past 15 years have been centered on nonprofit, school-based, and private practice organizations. As a co-founder and clinical director at Headlands Psychotherapy Group, she balances direct client care with supervising and mentoring prelicensed clinicians.
Howson credits USF with preparing her for the field through academic training and practicum experiences.
“I remain in close contact with several professors and classmates from the Marriage and Family Therapy program at USF, and I consider them some of my most respected and valued colleagues,” said Howson. “At Headlands, we have hired many USF alumni who consistently bring top-tier professionalism, clinical skills, and intuitive presence to our practice.”
Today, she continues a cycle of reciprocity by mentoring new clinicians and encouraging them to take thoughtful risks.
Andrew Dela Rama ’00
As a dentist and practice owner, Dela Rama says USF provided more than an academic foundation — his academic experience shaped his mindset of continual growth in life. He describes San Francisco as an extension of the classroom, where real-world experiences prepared him for life after graduation.
More than two decades later, this mindset continues to shape how he approaches the world. He believes that a profession is rarely defined by a straight path, and he encourages students to embrace uncertainty as growth.
“In every profession, there is always a roadmap for where you want to go,” he said. “But your path will never be linear — and that's ok”.
Stephanie Estrada ’13
Estrada’s time studying psychology at USF reinforced her passion for social justice and advocacy, leading her to pursue a career in marriage and family therapy. A formative experience came during her senior year, when she volunteered with Raphael House, supporting and tutoring children from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and immigration statuses.
“That work and those interactions truly impacted the communities I was seeking to serve," said Estrada.
She encourages students interested in healthcare professions to stay rooted in their passion and not be discouraged by the challenges of the field.
Carry forward the spirit of care reflected in these alumni’s stories, and support USF students as they prepare to make a lasting impact in their communities.
