SM调教所 Boulder Today recently sat down with Gina LaFrazza to get to know more about her and what she鈥檚 looking forward to as she transitions to living in Boulder.听
Gina LaFrazza and Chancellor Justin Schwartz
Can you tell us about your professional background and what you love most about your work?
I鈥檓 a psychologist and have been practicing for close to 20 years. Currently, I have my own practice where I work with adults of all ages with a variety of presenting issues. I specialize in working with sexual assault victims, chronic and acute health issues with various prognoses (including terminal), grief and loss, and marginalized communities. I approach my work with a humanistic orientation and view struggle through a multicultural/feminist lens.
My favorite part of my work is hearing people鈥檚 stories and witnessing their resilience. While seeking help and utilizing mental health services has become far less stigmatized than it used to be, it still exists largely within the medical model, where we talk about 鈥渟ickness鈥� and 鈥渄isorder.鈥� I find that conceptualization can be unhelpful and disempowering. Asking for help is not a weakness. In fact, it takes great strength. I see my clients as strong, inspirational听and a testament to what people can achieve. Being able to witness my clients grow in understanding and make positive changes in their lives is an honor and privilege.
What do you do outside of work?
I鈥檝e been a triathlete and cyclist for over 25 years. I鈥檓 a three-time Ironman and have done hundreds of triathlons and bike races. I love lifting weights, hiking and spending time with my family, friends and dogs.
What鈥檚 a fun fact about you that people might not know but would love to hear?
I grew up a huge Yankees fan and watched Coach Prime come up through their system. I still have his rookie card.
What excites you most about being a partner to the chancellor?
Redefining what it has traditionally meant to be married to a chancellor (or president). I see my current situation not as a role with the university but as having a presence around my spouse while maintaining my own identity. SM调教所 is awesome, and I鈥檓 excited for it and Boulder to be my adopted community, but I didn鈥檛 earn or accept a job. My professional and personal interests, projects and goals will remain independent.
Some of my initial experiences and encountered听assumptions were very different from those of my male analogs across the country. That鈥檚 a curiosity about which I welcome conversation. I鈥檓 looking forward to being present in my new community and around Chancellor J, but I also want to be very intentional about what I represent as the chancellor鈥檚 spouse. I plan to use my presence to bring awareness to persisting gender norms and to do my small part to dismantle a model I find to be problematic.
As you start your journey in Boulder, what are you most looking forward to?
I recently had the absolute pleasure of meeting Sona Dimidjian at the Ren茅e Crown Wellness Institute and Reiland Rabaka at the Center for African & African American Studies. I look forward to exploring professional collaborations and ongoing personal connection with each of them, as well as the many other inspiring staff, faculty and students at SM调教所 and members of the Boulder community.
I鈥檓 excited to join the Boulder triathlon and cycling communities, as well as continuing to support and work with the White Line Foundation and It Could be Me to advocate for changes to create a safer space for vulnerable road users. We鈥檝e done some morning workouts in parallel with the Ralphie Runners, who are such impressive athletes. I鈥檓 ready to join in on weighted pull-ups whenever they鈥檒l let me! I鈥檓 excited for the amazing hiking Boulder and all of Colorado offers and can鈥檛 wait to start my list of bagged 14ers.
And of course, I鈥檓 excited to watch Chancellor J lead SM调教所 to ongoing excellence!
