Media contact: Yvonne Taunton
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Kenya Harris and Maysa Mohmoud students Kenya Harris, Maysa Mohmoud and Zack McClain have received the Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship for the 2021-2022 year.
“This fellowship is an opportunity for me to gain knowledge and exposure to information that I would get my first year in the field,” said Kenya Harris, a Birmingham, Alabama, native who is a second-year master’s student in the Department of Social Work. “I am excited to learn more about mental health and substance abuse.”
Harris says she is grateful for the fellowship and wants to work with women and Black populations in a mental health or substance abuse environment after graduating.
“Since being at UAB, I have met so many people who have either given me advice or informed me of an opportunity,” Harris said.
Maysa Mohmoud, a UAB graduate and Birmingham native, is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical social work and aspires to work with marginalized populations who are generally overlooked and experience substance abuse and mental health disorders.
“As part of this program, I explored various passions while learning more about evidence-based effective treatment to assist individuals with various mental health concerns,” Mohmoud said. “One of my professors, Dr. Dione King, recommended I apply for the fellowship, which led to this great opportunity to further my education.”
The CSWE-MFP is a training and professional development award supported by grant funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The competitive fellowship award is for master’s social work students who demonstrate a strong commitment to addressing the behavioral health needs of underserved racial/ethnic populations.