04-16-2023 Education - Flipbook - Page 11
The Baltimore Sun | Sunday, April 16, 2023 11
Grad programs, from page 1
Program Director Stephen Oby. Students who
have received an undergraduate degree in social
work can complete the master’s program in
one to two years; those whose undergraduate
degree is in another field typically complete
the master’s program in two to three years. All
students complete at least one field placement
that is accessible to them, no matter where
they’re located.
Madison Brunett, 26, will graduate this
May with her M.S.W., after which she hopes to
become a social worker for a local public school
system and perhaps work in child protective
services in the future.
Brunett chose SU’s program because the
Salisbury campus was close to home and also
offered the resources, flexibility and smaller
class sizes that allowed her to build relationships with faculty. “One thing I really like about
our faculty is that so many still work in the
field,” says Brunett. “Since social work is always
changing and the professors are still immersed
in it while playing such an important teaching
role, it’s easy to learn from them. And they
genuinely care about their students in and out
of the classroom and you know they want you
to succeed.”
Through the program Brunett has done
field placement work at various clinical health
care establishments with a focus on childhood
and adolescent patients. “In these placements
I’ve had over a dozen patients and have been
able to make an impact even as a graduate student, and it’s so rewarding to use what you’re
learning in real time.
“This program and field placements have
confirmed my love of working with children,”
Brunett continues. “I have personal connec-
Ask Margit, from page 1
ed their academic performance.
• Sixty percent of students indicate that the
pandemic has made it more difficult to
access mental health care.
• Sixty-nine percent of students report that
their campus administration has been supportive during the pandemic, and 78%
perceived their professors as being supportive.
• Depression overall, including major and
moderate (positive PHQ-9 screen) 41%.
In summary, it says, “that the mental health
of college students across the United States has
been on a consistent decline for all eight years
of data analyzed, with an overall 135 percent
increase in depression and 110 percent increase
in anxiety from 2013 to 2021; the number of
students who met the criteria for one or more
mental health problems in 2021 had doubled
from 2013.”
Zakiya Lee, Ph.D., assistant vice chancellor and chief of staff for academic and student
affairs for the University System of Maryland
and its 12 institutions and three regional higher
nonprofit organizations and public education.
“There is no shortage of opportunities in the
social work field,” says Oby.
Loyola’s professional MBA program enables students to earn their degree in 39 credits and manage their studies at
their own pace.
tions to the importance of mental health, family
support and resources available to families, and
I want to be another resource for children and
parents who may be struggling and be a support
system to others.”
In addition to its flexible programming,
another point of pride, Oby continues, is how
student-centered the university is overall.
“We’re really invested in our students’ success,
and we work hard to meet them where they are
in their personal, professional, and academic
pursuits. Our goal is to give them whatever sup-
port they need to thrive.
“One of the appeals of the M.S.W. degree
is that it offers many career directions for
students to pursue through the program’s two
paths – clinical social work and advocacy, and
social change and leadership,” Oby continues,
noting that graduates will be prepared to work
in a variety of settings in primary roles that
include direct practitioners, consultants and
supervisors, and in such fields as social justice,
policy practice, clinical mental health, community organizing, government organizations,
education centers, spoke about how the USM is
addressing these concerns.
“We, the senior vice chancellor for academic
and student affairs and I, meet a few times a year
to review the status of students, but we meet
with counseling center directors far more often.
In addition, we meet with the vice presidents
of student affairs of the USM institutions every
month and mental health issues are always on
the agenda. During the pandemic, it was less
often, but we’ve returned to pre-pandemic levels. All of these are especially important because
they inform us of how our constituencies – our
student populations – are managing emotionally.
“Our counseling center directors are hearing from enough students and faculty members
to be concerned. One concern that has been
expressed not only in the USM but nationwide is
that the student population seems less engaged,
not participating in their normal activities.
Student affairs staff across the USM are working
hard to get them out and constantly promote the
many support services available. The staff reiterate that being with fellow students will help their
mental and physical health.
“Campuses are also doing a great job communicating with students, as often as possible,
but even so, a lot of them are still struggling.
We’ve also seen the studies that came out so
we’re prioritizing information about how we
can help. Many students are matriculating with
previous counseling experience, so they are
easier to reach. But there is still that barrier, that
discomfort with ‘mental illness,’ so that information doesn’t reach everyone.
“The universities are working hard to provide a continuous stream of information on
how students can get assistance no matter what
the issue. College is a new experience and some
students can use help adjusting. In the residence
halls, the residence advisors (RAs) go through
rigorous training on mental health and safety.
We also work with educating faculty because
many of them don’t know what to recommend
or know where to send students for support.
We’re also seeing employee burnout and stress.
So we’re flooding the campuses to promote
awareness. And it’s for every member of our
campus community, not just students.”
Lee wrapped up her comments, “We’re using
every means available to let students know
Exploring Scientific Careers at UMES
“The graduate program in toxicology
allowed me to explore career opportunities
in academia, government and industry,” says
Zoe Johnson, who received his doctorate last
May from the University of Maryland Eastern
Shore (UMES). While attending the program,
Johnson not only was mentored by then-UMES
President Juliette Bell, but also served as the
Ambassador to the White House Initiative on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCUS), and successfully defended his dissertation on novel therapies that protect against
brain degeneration, supervised by his research
advisor, Ahmed Elnabawi, Ph.D.
The toxicology program at UMES offers
both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, to prepare students for careers in environmental and mammalian toxicology. Students have the opportunity to conduct research in such areas as
the harmful effects of chemical, physical and
biological agents on living organisms; the
mechanisms of toxicity and the prevention of
chemically induced diseases; and the collection
of data to support risk assessment and environmental protection. Students will be prepared to
pursue careers in local, state, and federal agencies, industry and public interest groups.
Now working for a large pharmaceutical
company, Johnson credits UMES with giving
him the educational and professional opportunities that prepared him for success in his new
position, including presenting his research at
many national and international conferences.
we really want to help – social media, bulletin
boards, whatever we can think of. But we also
have a commuter population and they are more
difficult to reach. No matter what, we’re reaching out whenever and however we can.”
USM counseling center directors meet
with Lee and will soon meet with new Senior
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dr. Alison
Wrynn. Each campus provides an update, different models of managing their patients, and how
the centers are being used. They are all facing
staffing concerns and share ways they are working to overcome this challenge.
“The best part, “says Lee, “is when they share
problems, best practices, what works and what
doesn’t. They learn so much from each other.
We’re also bringing in mental health speakers to
talk about national trends.”
For anyone who interacts with young people,
be aware of mental health issues many of them
are facing. The statistics from multiple studies are overwhelming due to steep increases in
incidences of mental health problems, suicidal
thoughts, depression, and anxiety. Families need
to stay informed about what students are dealing
with these days. Schools can only do so much.
PAID ADVERTISING
Behavioral and Social Sciences, Beverly O’Bryant,
Ph.D. were recognized by the Maryland Daily
Record as two of its Top 100 Women in 2022.
Former Miss Coppin Desiré Jones (‘22) was chosen
to receive the Top 100 Women scholarship.
Assistant Professor, F. Michelle Richardson,
Ph.D., was recently named president of the North
American Society for the Sociology of Sport,
while Tenyo Pearl, Ed.D., program coordinator
for our Nonprofit Leadership Program was
named to the 2023 Cohort for the Leadership
Maryland program.
March was Women’s History Month, a time to reflect upon and celebrate
the achievements and contributions of outstanding women in history,
education, and in our everyday lives.
The theme for Women’s History Month in 2023 is
Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories. Coppin
State University is one of two historically Black
institutions named after women pioneers, whose
legacies have endured for generations.
The university’s namesake, Fanny Jackson
Coppin, was a teacher, principal and missionary
born into slavery, whose freedom was purchased
by a family member. Coppin valued education
and understood that freedom could be won,
opportunities could be gained and doors could
be opened for African Americans. She was a
trailblazer who went on to become the first African
American woman to lead an institution of higher
learning as head principal for the Institute for
Colored Youth.
In the spirit of Fanny Jackson Coppin, students,
faculty, staff and alumni of Coppin State University
are leading fearlessly and unapologetically with
purpose, grace and determination at they shape
the future of the institution over the next century.
Coppin State President Anthony L. Jenkins says,
“I sincerely think this is a wonderful opportunity
to really look at the impact and the influence of
women. As you look around the world, as you
look at change and dynamic situations, there is a
woman in the mix.”
Women make up more than three quarters of
the student population enrolled at Coppin State
and are key partners in university leadership
and governance. For example, Provost and Vice
President of Academic Affairs, Pamela Wilks,
Ph.D. is leading the charge as the university
develops new and innovative academic programs
that will continue to cement its status as a leader in
urban higher education. The deans of the colleges
of business, behavioral and social sciences, arts,
sciences, education, health professions, and
graduate studies are all women with vision. They
are dedicated to providing students with the best
academic, professional and personal experiences
to aid in their holistic development and prepare
them for the world beyond our campus.
The women who represent Coppin State wear navy
blue and gold with pride. They are well respected
within the community for their scholarship,
talents and leadership. Here are a few who are
transforming the campus as well as throughout
Maryland, the nation and even globally:
Interim Vice President of Information Technology
and Deputy Chief Information Officer, Dionne
N. Curbeam, Ed.D., and Dean of the College of
The 91st Miss Coppin State University, Keylin
Perez (‘23), is the first Latina to hold this prestigious
student leadership position at our HBCU. Keylin
serves proudly as an ambassador for CSU,
representing the university on a national stage
while balancing her commitment as a member of
the U.S. Army Reserves, and her responsibilities
as a nursing student. Keylin’s journey with Coppin
demonstrates the importance of representation
and inclusion in all spaces. She is one of the many
talented Coppin women of all backgrounds who
will change the world for the better.
Coppin is also proud to be part of the
story of alumni who are leading in their
respective career fields, including Baltimore
City Deputy Commissioner Sheree Briscoe
(‘20); Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs (‘91),
Maryland Department of Public Safety and
Correctional Services; Judge Nicole Barmore
(‘99), Baltimore City Circuit Court; Nikki J. Jones
(‘96), vice president of change management and
transformation for National Public Radio (NPR);
and Jan Lennon (‘93), deputy general manager of
operations, Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in Atlanta,
Ga.
President Jenkins says, “Everywhere you’ve seen
significant change throughout history, a woman
has been at the core of that. I think that Women’s
History Month is a time for us to pause and to
appreciate and reflect upon what women have
done, but the other 11 months of the year, that
respect and gratitude should continue.”
Every month, Coppin State University salutes the
women who are part of the Coppin community for
their important contributions to writing the story
of Coppin State University. Learn more about the
legacy and future of the historical institution by
visiting Coppin.edu.