Francesca Otero Vargas

Why FSU?

I attended FSU for my undergraduate degree, and pursuing my PhD in marriage and family therapy here feels like coming home; there is nowhere else I could see myself obtaining such a well-rounded and expansive education. I cannot wait to work with the incredible faculty in my department and to continue my journey of personal and professional growth. I hope to bring a unique and diverse perspective to my field, and I believe FSU is the optimal place for me to accomplish this goal.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

Obtaining a graduate degree, specifically a PhD, has been a dream of mine since I was young because I saw my mom earn her master’s degree. I will be the first person in my family to graduate with a PhD, and part of me feels like I am giving back and showing my family how grateful I am for all of the lessons and opportunities they provided me. My goal is to bring my family background, my foundations of marriage and family therapy, and my passion for advocacy to FSU and expand it to the research I plan to complete.

Importance of research and work

I am interested in researching the potential holistic health benefits that mindfulness, specifically yoga, could have on relationship satisfaction in terms of communication, intimacy, levels of appreciation and acceptance, and other areas. As a registered yoga teacher, I believe that I am in a unique position to research this subject. As a clinician and academic, I am focused on client empowerment and believe that change stems from awareness and acceptance. Mindfulness is all about cultivating awareness of self and others, which has profound impacts on how people relate to the world and how they relate to themselves.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Academia is not just for the smart and the talented, the people who won all the awards or who received all A’s. Academia is for the curious and the passionate individuals who aim to make a difference and who aspire to use their voice. Remember that you are worthy of being here, that you are here for a reason. I would also say trust the process, and as long as you give it your best, whatever that may look like, don’t worry because worrying only takes away from the present moment.

Accomplishments during graduate career

McKnight Doctoral Fellow Class of 2019 - 2020, Student Organization Leadership Outstanding Educational Program Award, presentation at the National Council on Family Relations, Gender Identity Discourse in the Wake of North Carolina HB2, and The Graduate Student Government Association Research Travel Presentation Award.

Career aspirations

Pursuing a PhD will help me meet my goal of becoming one of a few Hispanic women academics in the field of marriage and family therapy (MFT). I am passionate about continuing my clinical and research advocacy with and for underrepresented groups and ensuring that MFT scholarship and clinical services are inclusive. Further development of my research and clinical training will help prepare me to become an educator and supervisor and to reach my scholarly goals of holistically integrating mindfulness practices in MFT.