From the MFP Team
Dear MFP Fellows and Alumni:
Welcome to the 2021–2022 CSWE MFP fellowship year! This year 45 master’s students from across the country join the MFP community for their 1-year fellowship. Fifteen new doctoral students join 13 renewing fellows to make up this year’s doctoral cohort of 28. Altogether, MFP fellows are following in the footsteps of the countless MFP alumni who seek to improve the mental health and well-being of BIPOC communities. We sincerely thank every one of our Advisory Committee members and volunteer readers who worked diligently throughout the application review process to bring us this phenomenal cohort. Moreover, we look forward to meeting those who make up the cohort as we kick off the year with orientation sessions in mid-October.
Shortly thereafter, we’ll be convening doctoral fellows for CSWE’s Annual Program Meeting (APM). CSWE’s 2021 AAPM will be held November 4–7 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando, FL. The theme for this year’s APM is "Leading Critical Conversations: Racial, Economic, & Environmental Justice"; it will feature social work education presentations, an exhibit hall, and networking opportunities. CSWE is offering an on-demand option for those who cannot attend APM in person. This is different from a virtual meeting because most of the content will be recorded during the in-person APM. The on-demand option will feature recordings of the plenary sessions and 40 sessions from across the APM educational tracks. Although most of the on-demand content will be prerecorded, there will be live networking opportunities as well. The on-demand option is set to launch in December. We encourage you to register for the APM today!
Finally, we are pleased to introduce the newest member of the MFP staff team here at CSWE, Kesslyn Brade Stennis, PhD, MSW, MDiv. Read on to learn more about the breadth of experience, skills, and accomplishments she brings to the program.
In Fellowship,
The MFP Team at CSWE
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Meet the Director: Kesslyn Brade Stennis, PhD, MSW, MD
Kesslyn Brade Stennis, PhD, MSW, MDiv, joined the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) as the director of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) in October 2021. Brade Stennis previously served as the executive director of the Dorothy I. Height Center for the Advancement of Social Justice at Coppin State University where she was also a professor.
Along with holding a PhD in social work from Howard University and a master’s of social work degree from The Ohio State University, she has also earned a master of divinity degree and graduate certificate in women’s studies from Howard University, and she is a proud graduate of Oakwood University, previously known as Oakwood College.
Throughout her career, Dr. Kesslyn has focused on empowering people through the educational and artistic mediums of public speaking, publishing, preaching, and performing in various musical genres. Dr. Kesslyn has used her unique gifts in the classroom as a social work educator for almost 25 years at a variety of private and public universities and has held a number of leadership positions including immediate past chair of the Department of Social Work at Coppin State University and chaplain at Georgetown University. In professional organizations she has served as an editorial consultant, reviewer, or editor for various professional journals including Social Work, Social Work and Christianity, Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought, and the Journal of Social Work Education. Additionally, she has served on boards for several professional organizations, chaired and co-chaired international meetings, facilitated organizational task groups, and has participated on national nominating committees. Of note is her herstoric role in the North American Association of Christians in Social Work as the first African American woman to serve as president of the organization’s Board of Directors.
Inspired by her ancestors and mentors, Dr. Kesslyn’s life has centered on faith, family, service, and social justice. Those values have guided her professional and personal contributions to society and can be seen in her noteworthy scholarship. She has focused her research on topics that affect African American communities, faith communities, and women. Some of her most recent research and grant awards consider family violence and abuse, community responses to violent crimes, sexual health and wellness, the impact of gentrification on Black faith communities, and women’s leadership development. Dr. Kesslyn has also traveled extensively as a sought-after workshop facilitator and trainer, and her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, books, and public interest magazines. In addition to her professional contributions, she is an educational entrepreneur and, most important, a mother who enjoys spending every Saturday night watching movies and eating popcorn and pizza with her family.
For her work, Dr. Kesslyn has been honored to receive several awards including the Wilson H. Elkins Professorship from the University System of Maryland, the Vernon Johns Award for Social Justice and Preaching from Howard University, and a citation for community service in the area of domestic violence from the mayor’s office of the city of Huntsville, AL. Dr. Kesslyn Brade Stennis is a proud CSWE MFP alumna.
2021–2022 CSWE MFP Cohorts
Meet the 2021–2022 cohort of MFP master’s and doctoral fellows! In the coming months, follow our “fellow features” in the Connect to learn more about their experiences, passions, and career ambitions. Additionally, be sure to visit our master’s and doctoral Meet the Fellows pages online.
Master’s Fellows
Alexa Fe Skandar, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Andrewnette Reed, University of Washington - Tacoma
Angel Ramos, California State University, Long Beach
Ariana C. Pickett, St. Ambrose University
Brijuan Phillips, New York University
Brittany Chenelle Green, California State University, Northridge
Catherine Yang, Boston College
Cristal Ramos, Washington University in St Louis
Crystal Butler, Kennesaw State University
Deniale C. Urbina, Simmons University
Denisse Bernal, University of California Los Angeles
Elizabeth Arco, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Elizabeth Brandenburg, University of Texas, Rio Grande Valley
Emma Rust, University of Chicago
Emmanuel Martinez, University of Denver
Eric R. Lorentsen, Stony Brook University
Faith Tiġak Itta, Washington University in St. Louis
Gillian Duenas, University of Washington, Seattle
Gloria Chan, University of Southern California
Hector Ramirez, University of California, Los Angeles
Jasmine Hornbrook, University of Minnesota- Twin Cities
Jesse Ramirez, California State University, Long Beach
Jillian Flemming, Seattle University
Johann Ortizo, California State University, Long Beach
Julie Fiorenza, New York University
Karen Bermudez, University of Texas at Austin
Katherine De La Hoz, SUNY Stony Brook University
Kenya Harris, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Maihnia Lee; Boston College
Maria Fernanda Quezada, Florida Atlantic University
Mariah Olivia Maldonado, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Mariel Eaves, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Marissa Lowe, Columbia University
Maysa Mohmoud, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Mengqi Li,George Mason University
Pearl Eni, Howard University
Priya Bhanderi, Columbia School of Social Work
Robin Dunn Bryant, Florida State University
Sol Alvarez-Taubin, Columbia University School of Social Work
Terrell T. Richardson, North Carolina A&T State University and UNC Greensboro
Tyesha Butler, University of Tennessee Knoxville
Tyrone L Carter, University California Los Angeles
Tywanda E . McDonald, Jackson State University
Wendy Veronica Hernandez-De La Cruz, California State University Monterey Bay
Zack McClain, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Doctoral Fellows
Andrea Guadalupe Portillo, LCSW, University of Washington
Ashleigh Washington, City University of New York Graduate Center
Autumn Asher, Washington University in St. Louis
Carol Lee, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Cho Rong Won, LMSW, University of Alabama
Cortney VanHook, University of Pittsburgh
Cynthia Mackey, Arizona State University
Danica Nestor, LCSW, Howard University
Durrell Malik Washington Sr., University of Chicago
Em Loerzel, University of Washington
Gabrielle Aquino-Adriatico, University of Houston
Gaby Mohr, LSW, University of Houston
Jeremy Vu, University of Saint Thomas
Jessica Ramirez, University of Washington
Jessica Saba, Michigan State University
Jessica Kim, University of Pennsylvania
Johara Suleiman, LICSW, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Justin Harty, University of Chicago
Laurenia Mangum, University of Pittsburgh
Lester Kern, University of Chicago
Mohamad Adam Brooks, LICSW, Columbia University
Nidia Hernández, LCSW, Arizona State University
Shana McClain, University of Denver
Shawna Murray-Browne, University of Maryland, Baltimore
Vashti Adams, University of Maryland Baltimore
Wan-Jung Wendy Hsieh, LICSW, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Wynette Whitegoat, Washington University in St. Louis
Xochilt Alamillo, LCSW, University of Denver
Resources
Job Opportunities
School of Social Work in the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions at Arizona State University is seeking applications for four benefits-eligible, tenure-track assistant professors beginning August 16, 2022. The application deadline is November 15, 2021, 8:00 PM (EST). Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Please direct any questions about the search to Jill Messing, MSW, PhD, Search Committee Chair & Professor, School of Social Work, Arizona State University.
The University at Buffalo is searching for two colleagues to join the School of Social Work in tenure-track faculty positions (open rank). Applicants with research expertise in gerontology, mental health, substance use, and/or developmental disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants are required to complete an online application here. Application review begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. The anticipated start is fall 2022. Thank you to MFP Alum Laina Y. Bay-Cheng, MSW, PhD, for sharing and expressing an openness to fielding questions from interested MFP fellows and alumni.
Tulane University’s School of Social Work (TSSW) seeks an associate dean of EDI and Student Experience. This 12-month nontenured clinical faculty position will lead the school's work to embed equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and antiracism work in the TSSW, collaborating with university partners and promoting the well-being and success of students across programs from registration through graduation. Learn more and apply by November 30, 2021.
Leadership and Volunteer Opportunities
In June 2021 the CSWE Board of Directors voted unanimously to expand Board membership to two students, one at the BSW and one at the MSW level. The call for nominations for student members is now open. Nominate a student or encourage your students to self-nominate for this inaugural opportunity by October 15.
Professional Development
SWHelper is hosting its Anti-Racism Virtual Summit on Tuesday, October 26 and 27, from 8:30 AM (EDT) to 5:30 PM (EDT) each day. Find more information, including an agenda, speaker biographical information, and current rates, and register here.
The Center for Mental Health Services Research at the Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis, invites applications for postdoctoral training in mental health services research. The program is supported by a National Research Service Award Institutional Training Grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH - T32 MH19960: PI: Leopoldo J. Cabassa). The position is set to begin in July 2022. Applications are reviewed and accepted on an ongoing basis, subject to award availability.
CSWE Diversity Center’s October Educator|Resource
Visit CSWE’s Center for Diversity and Social and Economic Justice to view the newest edition of the Educator|Resource. The Educator|Resource of the Month offers creative pedagogical approaches to diversity and justice education. The resources featured are developed by experts in the field and map to the CSWE 2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards competencies in diversity and social justice. Educators can use the materials for developing assignments or a variety of teaching activities.