Meet the Youngest Founding Team in U.S. Higher Education History

Jun 14

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 13, 2025

Integrative Psychology Institute Launches Disruptive Pathways into Mental Health Careers. Fast, Affordable, and Built for the Real World

Los Angeles, CA — In a bold move set to reshape the future of mental health education, the Integrative Psychology Institute officially launches its Master’s and Bachelor’s degree programs, led by the youngest founding team in the history of U.S. higher education.

At just 31 years old, Mollie Mendoza becomes the youngest woman ever to found a higher education institution in the United States. Alongside co-founders Adam Carney and Dr. Christian Gonzalez, the trio combines a rare blend of academic rigor, entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for radically accessible mental health training.

“This generation isn’t putting up with outdated education models,” said Mendoza. “We saw a system that wasn’t working for aspiring therapists or clients, and we decided to build the alternative.”

Earn a Master’s in Psychology While Launching a Practice

The flagship program, a Master of Arts in Integrative Psychology, helps students build a coaching business while going through their education. The program blends advanced academic training with real-world business building, allowing students to earn income and gain experience while completing their education.

“Our students don’t have to wait five years and $100,000 later to help people,” said Carney. “We train them to become both skilled practitioners and successful entrepreneurs from day one.”

New Accelerated Bachelor’s Degree in Somatic Psychology

The Institute also announced the launch of its Bachelor’s Degree in Somatic Psychology, designed for students who already have an associate degree or two years of college. The program can be completed in as little as one year, offering an accelerated, body-based psychology degree that blends nervous system science, trauma-informed care, and holistic coaching tools.

Reimagining Who Gets to Become a Therapist

The Institute was founded in response to the growing national crisis in mental health care access and the outdated education system that fuels it. The team behind IPI believes that becoming a therapist shouldn’t be a luxury. By shortening timeframes, reducing costs, and integrating coaching-friendly pathways, IPI is creating a new model, one that meets this moment in mental health.

“Our generation is asking deeper questions about what actually works,” said Gonzalez, a licensed naturopathic doctor and Chief Science Officer at IPI. “We believe the future of mental health lies at the intersection of science, somatics, and self-leadership—and that’s exactly what our students are learning.”