Immigration, Mental Health, and the International College Athletes

During this walk, we explore how international college athletes navigate the unique mental health challenges shaped by both sport and migration. Transitioning into, or returning to, higher education often comes with pressures of performance, belonging, and identity. When immigration is layered into that experience, the stakes become even higher.To unpack this, we’re joined by the Katherine Thompson. Katherine is the Founder of Spero Psychological Services, a practice built on hope and empowerment to meet the unmet mental health needs of diverse communities. From immigration hardship evaluations to organizational consulting on workplace well-being, Spero is committed to lighting the path to healing for those who feel overlooked or underserved.As a Colombian American, our guest brings both professional expertise and personal experience, weaving cultural understanding into her work to ensure marginalized populations receive the care they deserve. Together, we ask: What can higher education and sport industries learn from immigrant community care models to better support international athletes today?Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of sport, education, and global mobility.