This milestone marks a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for mental health professionals in high-need K-12 schools across Maryland.
The University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) is delighted to celebrate the graduation of the second cohort of the School-Based Mental Health Fellowship program. This milestone marks a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for mental health professionals in high-need K-12 schools across Maryland.
Next month, an outstanding group of fellows will complete this innovative program, which equips master’s-level social workers to meet the growing mental health needs of K-12 students in high-need local education agencies (LEAs). This year, 20 MSW Fellows will graduate from the program. In addition, 10 BSW Fellows — five from Coppin State University and five from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County — who also participated in the fellowship will be graduating.
Congratulations to Our Graduating Fellows:
- Aaraa Brown
- Adrian Hinderlie
- Amanda Kim
- Brittany Miller
- Erin Edwards
- Faith Rodgers
- Glenda Henning-Augustine
- Ilse Guerrero
- Ivan Flores
- Jaela Morris
- Jaya Chittams
- Jasmine Dilworth
- Jemeka Stewart
- Lisha Gibson
- Michelle Cogar
- Najuma Louison
- Namrah Ashraf
- Osazia Garwood
- Veronica Soriana Lara
- Yvette Mingia
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Remika Wright
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Brandon Hinton
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Aniah Brewer
-
Hanna Oriji
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Shamerra Nelson
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Marwah Bahanan
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Sophia Salas
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Rocelyn Alvarado
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Crista Mayo
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Tyler Brown
These fellows have demonstrated unwavering commitment to strengthening school communities and increasing access to mental health care where it is needed most. Through intensive, hands-on training, they have gained the skills and expertise necessary to make a lasting impact on students and families.
The Fellowship for School-Based Mental Health is a collaborative partnership between the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW), Coppin State University, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) to address critical shortages of mental health professionals in high-need K–12 schools across central Maryland. The program recruits and trains MSW and BSW students from these institutions, placing them in local schools to deliver culturally responsive mental health services. Fellows receive tuition scholarships, stipends, and specialized training in anti-oppressive practices, ensuring services align with the needs of diverse student populations. By leveraging the strengths of all three universities, the initiative aims to build a representative, skilled workforce that reflects the communities it serves while addressing systemic inequities in school mental health care.
Looking ahead, UMSSW is excited to welcome its third cohort this fall. Reflecting on the program’s impact, Temeka Bailey, PhD, MSW, director of SWCOS Student Education at The Center for Restorative Change and clinical assistant professor, shared, “The School-Based Mental Health Fellowship plays a critical role in addressing the workforce shortage in high-need LEAs by equipping master’s-level social workers with the intensive, hands-on training needed to meet the growing mental health needs of K-12 students, ultimately strengthening school communities and expanding access to care where it's needed most.”
Congratulations to our graduates for their dedication and hard work! We look forward to seeing the incredible impact they will have as they continue their careers in school-based mental health.
For more information, visit https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/crc/fellowship-for-school-based-mental-health/.