Miguel’s Story of Turning Challenges into Purpose

Miguel’s journey from foster care to earning a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology is a testament to resilience, mentorship, and the power of opportunity. With the support of ISF, he defied the odds and transformed his challenges into a purpose-driven career helping others.

After aging out of foster care in Laredo, Miguel enrolled at Texas Tech University, where ISF provided him with the mentorship and resources he needed to thrive. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2016 and was later accepted into the Ph.D. program at The University of Cincinnati. This past August, Miguel delivered the student commencement address at his graduation, where he was awarded his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. His research focused on prosocial behavior in youth transitioning out of foster care—giving back to the very community that shaped his journey.

Today, Miguel lives in Providence, Rhode Island, with his wife, Silvia, and their two dogs as he completes his post-doctoral work at Brown University. He remains connected to ISF, having attended multiple Leadership & Life Skills retreats and benefiting from the guidance of his ISF mentors, Joe Fawcett and Dr. Blair Ritchey.

ISF celebrates the incredible accomplishments of Dr. Miguel Nunez and the many other Rising Stars who are becoming leaders in their communities.