UTCSW PhD Student Eliza Galvez received a Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) award. She is the first PhD student to receive this fellowship since Dr. Lori Messinger became dean of the UT College of Social Work.
MFP opportunities support the mission of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to reduce the effects of substance abuse and mental illness on America’s communities by increasing the number of individuals who are trained to work with underrepresented and underserved persons with or at risk for mental health and/or substance abuse disorders.
Galvez was thrilled to have received the fellowship. “As a Latina and first-generation scholar, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to have diverse voices in the helping professions,” she said. “The CSWE Minority Fellowship Program plays a critical role in empowering and equipping underrepresented students to tackle the unique challenges our communities of color face. I’m deeply honored to receive this fellowship and excited to connect with other MFP scholars who share a commitment to reducing health disparities and improving healthcare outcomes for underserved communities. I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my mentor, Dr. Mary Held, and to everyone who has supported me throughout my doctoral journey. This has only affirmed that I truly belong in this space.”
The MFP doctoral fellowship is designed for individuals pursuing a doctoral degree in social work. Recipients must hold a social work master’s degree from a CSWE-accredited program. Their career goal should be to provide leadership in practice, research, teaching, and policy promulgation in government and private organizations serving underrepresented and underserved persons with or at risk for mental health and/or substance abuse disorders.