It pursues the core values of social work with its programs that are felt throughout the University.
The Elm is featuring stories on the keynote speaker and 2025 Diversity Recognition Award winners leading up to UMB’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month celebration on Feb. 6.
Photo: Shekinah Davis, Neijma Celestine-Donnor, and Julia Scott
In social work, social justice isn’t just an ideal — it’s embedded into the social work code of ethics, which also includes service, dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence, according to Neijma Celestine-Donnor, JD, MSW, a University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) associate dean who oversees efforts related to access, collaboration, and engagement.
“The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy calls on all of us to actively pursue justice and meaningful change, even in the face of resistance,” she said. “While the challenges are significant, we are guided by a commitment to the core values of social work and a belief that progress is always worth striving for.”
UMSSW has made such progress in the past year, launching numerous programs and events including a statewide summit in response to growing national legislation impacting social work practice and higher education, and the Dialogue and Engagement Learning Series to foster communication amid increasing tensions related to global conflicts.
It also strengthened existing programs, securing additional funding for its Book Lending Program to make textbooks more accessible for students and continuing to provide an opportunity for those of shared identity to connect, deepen their understanding, and work toward common goals.
For its work, the team leading efforts around advancing access and championing fairness at UMSSW has been honored with the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) 2025 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Diversity Recognition Award for Outstanding Staff.
“This award celebrates our unwavering commitment to empowering communities, amplifying marginalized voices, and advocating for a more just UMSSW, UMB, and society,” Celestine-Donnor said. “Through our determination, unique strengths, and extraordinary efforts, the team has created a lasting impact, embodying the values and spirit of King’s legacy.
“This recognition is especially meaningful because it affirms that the work we do to foster access, collaboration, and engagement and to create transformative opportunities have great impact.”
UMSSW Dean Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW, said she is proud of the team leading these efforts, which also includes Julia Scott, training and community engagement specialist, and Shekinah Davis, training and data specialist.
“Our school has made tremendous progress under Dean Celestine-Donnor’s leadership and her team,” she said. “They continue to push the envelope, keeping us informed and accountable to our social work principles and leading a number of initiatives. The team is integral to the School of Social Work.”
Christa Gloster, senior program specialist, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, and a Master of Social Work student at UMSSW, said the school’s efforts to cultivate access, collaboration, and engagement have extended beyond UMSSW and been felt throughout UMB.
The work by Celestine-Donnor and her team “is expansive, encompassing a wide array of programs, initiatives, and strategic efforts that collectively foster a culture of collaboration and engagement across multiple dimensions of University life,” said Gloster, who nominated the team for the King award. “This broad approach allows impact at UMSSW and the entire UMB community through initiatives that address everything from student engagement and professional development to global learning and community outreach.
“Just as Dr. King mobilized people for a greater cause, UMSSW has galvanized UMB’s community to take collective action.”
Through its commitment to fostering dialogue, building bridges, and challenging systemic barriers, UMSSW has inspired a unified effort that extends beyond the confines of the school. This collective action empowers individuals and organizations to come together in pursuit of transformative change, addressing critical issues that impact not only the University but also the broader communities it serves.
In 2024, Celestine-Donner and her team organized its first summit, which served as a platform for engaging in meaningful and sometimes difficult dialogue about critical issues in higher education and social work. Summit organizers asked participants to reflect on what’s working well, what’s not, and what voices might be missing from these conversations. The goal was to create space for honest assessments and foster a collective commitment to improving impact.
“For us, the summit underscored the importance of academic institutions as spaces for intellectual freedom, critical dialogue, and the exploration of varied perspectives. It also reinforced our belief that advancing justice requires both courage and humility — a willingness to reflect on our shortcomings and remain open to growth,” Celestine-Donnor said.
UMSSW, which recently hired a staff member to strengthen its data efforts to ensure the impact of its work is measurable and meaningful, is launching more programs such as the Global Mental Health Learning Series, a collaboration with UMSSW’s Office of Global Initiatives. The program aims to ensure that all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, can access global experiences and perspectives by partnering with international scholars living in other countries who will lead virtual workshops on global mental health topics for UMSSW students.