University of Maryland School of Social Work Convocation Program

Convocation MAY 21, 2021

Convocation

Friday, May 21, 2021 10:00 a.m.

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University of Maryland School of Social Work Convocation Social Workers are Essential Welcome & Acknowledgements Dean Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW Exemplary Student Awards Recipients: Ambrym Smith and Brianna Knowlton (Field), Cara Falco (Clinical), Maryrejahlil (Mj) Lanier (Macro), Joy Scalabrin (Amy Cohen-Callow), Anna Britton (Julee Kryder-Coe), Kiayra Ingram (Title IV-E), Rachel Brandon (GGEAR), Reem Sharaf (USG) Exemplary Faculty Award Recipient: Bethany Lee, PhD Professor Exemplary Staff Award Recipient: Chrishna Williams, MS Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services

Convocation

2021

Keynote Address Lori James-Townes, LCSW-C, MSW ’91 Executive Director of the National Association of Public Defense Student Speaker Mavlyn Bazil Honoring of PhD Graduates Charlotte L. Bright, PhD, Associate Dean for Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Education Honoring of Master of Social Work Candidates Closing Remarks Dean Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW Recessional

Keynote Speaker Lori James-Townes, LCSW-C, MSW ’91

Executive Director of the National Association of Public Defense Lori James-Townes is the Executive Director of the National Association of Public Defense (NAPD). NAPD provides support, training, and advocacy to our 23,000 members which includes every professional critical to delivering the right to counsel: lawyers, social workers, case managers, investigators, sentencing advocates, paralegals, civil legal aid providers, education advocates, expert support, information technology experts, teachers, and trainers, financial professionals, researchers, legislative advocates, communications personnel, and administrative personnel. Our collective expertise represents state, county, and local systems through full-time, contract, and assigned counsel delivery mechanisms; dedicated juvenile, capital, and appellate offices; and through a diversity of traditional and holistic practice models; ensuring meaningful access to justice for poor people.

Ms. James-Townes is also the President & CEO of Expand-Now, LLC. Ms. James-Townes’s passion is adding value to others through speaking, training, development activities, coaching and consulting. Ms. James-Townes has over 27 years of teaching, forensic social work, leadership, and management experience in juvenile justice, mental health, and public defender settings.

Ms. James-Townes served as Director of Social Work, Leadership and Program Development, with the Maryland Office of Public Defender (2010-2017), as a state law firm with over more than 800 employees. In this position, she served as the first Director of Leadership in a public defender setting in the country. While in this position, she demonstrated her ability to help others grow in the areas of teamwork, leadership, and management. She also led the agency’s social work staff, consultants, and interns. She is an adjunct clinical instructor at Towson University, Department of Family Studies and Community Development.

Her commitment to public service is notable as she serves as President of University of Maryland’s School of Social Work Alumni Board of Director’s; Board of Directors; Black Public Defender Association (Co-Director of Training and Development); and the Past-Chair of the National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialist.

Ms. James-Townes is a certified John Maxwell Trainer, Coach and Speaker, speaking to audiences nationwide and abroad. Ms. James-Townes has developed programs that are now national models for other agencies. In 2015, The Daily Record newspaper named her as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women. An Alumni on the Move Award was bestowed upon her by Morgan State University School of Social Work (March 2015). In 2012, she was honored by Morgan State University when she received The Presidential Award in recognition of her outstanding achievements and accomplishments.

She has been honored by NLADA’s receiving the National Gideon’s Heroes Award (2003) and Mitigation Lifetime Achievement Award (2006) respectfully. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Ms. James-Townes has held various leadership positions on national organizations and Boards of Directors. Her commitment to growth has been recognized as organizations have appointed her to serve as Conference Chair for several national conferences and training programs. Ms. James-Townes also serves as a faculty member for national and regional leadership development, trials skills, training and programs, including but not limited to National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialist Gideon’s Promise, National Legal Aid and Defender Association, Administrative Offices of the Courts (Training Branch), MD Department of Human Services, and other private and non-profit entities.

She resides in Rosedale, MD with her daughter Maya.

Student Speaker Mavlyn J. Bazil

Macro-Clinical/Community Action and Social Policy A native of the United States Virgin Islands Saint Croix, Mavlyn Bazil now resides in Maryland.

She is the only daughter of Joanness and Yvonne Bazil and the second oldest of six children. Ms. Bazil received a commission into the United States Army as a second lieutenant with an assignment to the Medical Services Corps. During her time in the Army Ms. Bazil served as a healthcare and patient administrator in various capacities. Following active service she was awarded the title as the first Ms. Black Virginia U.S.A. (2018), where she focused her efforts on education and prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and Harassment. Currently, as a graduate student of the School of Social Work, Ms. Bazil’s concentration is Macro/Clinical with a specialization in Community Action Social Policy.

She serves as a peer mentor to first-year students, a contributing author and reviewer for the social work student magazine The Disruptor, and the student Chair of the Christian Social Work Fellowship (CSWF). Her internships during her two years were with Orchestra Kids (OrchKids) and the University of Maryland Support Advocacy Freedom and Empower (SAFE) Center, where her major roles included research, program development and implementation, and prevention education on human trafficking. With a peer, she developed the Survivor Leadership Program (SLP) which was implemented based on the tenets of the Public Health Promotor Model that empowers survivors to become advocates within their communities.

The SLP educates survivors to serve as a bridge between community-based organizations, service agencies, and their respective communities. The prevention curriculum addressed signs of human trafficking, avenues to report, and relationship boundaries with peers, teachers and school staff, and parents. In addition to her studies, Ms. Bazil serves as the Kenya Education Director with the nonprofit organization Ark Of Hope Community Center, Inc., which acquires boarding school sponsorships through donors to assist young girls of the Maasai Tribe to achieve an education that will enable them to accomplish being more than a mother and housewife should she choose and take control of their destiny through career achievement and family planning.

convocation planning committee student members Mavlyn J. Bazil 2021 MSW candidate: Macro/Clinical Community Action and Social Policy

Tanasia Hazelton 2021 MSW candidate: Macro/Clinical Organizational Leadership

Maryrejahlil “Mj” Lanier 2021 MSW candidate: Macro/Clinical Behavioral Health-Workplace and Employee Assistance

Judith H. Park 2021 MSW candidate: Macro/Clinical Community Action and Social Policy

Awards

The exemplary clinical, macro and field awards are decided upon by the Student Convocation Planning Committee, based on nominations from other students, field instructors, and faculty members. These awardees have demonstrated a unique combination of social work skills, which have made them stand out to their peers. These students have been exemplary leaders, have motivated and inspired others, are strong advocates, show commitment to social change and have made a significant contribution to our social work community.

Field Award

Brianna Knowlton

Macro/Community Action and Social Policy Brianna Knowlton is originally from Hatfield, Pennsylvania, and received her BA in Public Policy from Susquehanna University in 2019. She began attending the University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Social Work directly after graduating and moved to Baltimore in the fall of 2019. Based on her experience at Susquehanna University and her previous internships with the Veterans Benefits Administration, It’s On Us, and Pennsylvania Together, she knew she wanted to pursue Macro Social Work to have a career in social policy advocacy and research. While at UMB, she held field placements with the Southwest Partnership and the ACLU of Maryland. Her favorite things about studying at UMB were learning about her passions through a social justice and race equity lens and having the extraordinary opportunity to intern with the ACLU of Maryland. After graduation, she plans to begin her career in policy advocacy and research in a nonprofit, state or local government, or policy research organization.

Ambrym Smith Clinical/Aging

Ambrym Smith is excited to be graduating from the School of Social Work program in the Clinical/ Aging track. Before attending the program, she facilitated grief and loss groups for children and families in New Mexico. Since moving to Baltimore, she has been working on a study to support advance care planning conversations with older adults and families in primary care at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health alongside SSW faculty member John Cagle. This past year, her field placement with the palliative care team at Union Memorial hospital during COVID-19 helped solidify her interest in grief and loss, end-of-life, and individuals diagnosed with chronic illnesses. She hopes to continue this work in the future alongside broader advocacy for patients experiencing inequity and injustice across the healthcare system.

Clinical Award Cara Falco

Clinical/Behavioral Health/Substance Use Disorders Interventions Fellow Cara Falco grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland, and feels inspired to become an active member of her community by joining the helping profession. She is excited to have completed her MSW at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and to be joining Healthy Foundations Group in Bethesda, MD after graduation.

Ms. Falco takes pride in her hard work and dedication to helping clients towards recovery. In recognition of her devotion to clinical work, Ms. Falco has recently been awarded the University of Maryland, School of Social Work Exemplary Clinical Student of the Year. She is deeply honored to have been selected for this award. As a SUDIF (Substance Use Disorder Interventions Fellowship) Fellow at the University of Maryland, Ms. Falco has engaged in training to better aid clients that experience challenges with substance misuse and abuse. In her career, Ms. Falco seeks to continue her work with the substance use disorder population, specifically with adults and adolescents. She believes in the importance of understanding the client in their environment and takes a holistic approach towards helping those on their wellness journey. Ms. Falco is motivated to put this perspective and her training into motion as a newly licensed Social Worker!

Ms. Falco would like to take a moment to thank all of the staff and students at the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Universities at Shady Grove for the rich opportunities she has been given and for the valuable relationships built. A very special thank you to LaTavia Little, LCSW-C, Patricia Quinn-Stabile, LCSW-C, the first SUDIF cohort, and all SUDIF faculty for the wealth of knowledge and experience she has been gifted. She would also like to thank her family, friends, and partner for their unconditional love and support throughout her work in the MSW Program.

Macro Award

Maryrejahlil (Mj) Lanier

Macro-Clinical/Behavioral Health-Workplace and Employee Assistance Maryrejahlil Lanier – also known as Marye (pronounced ‘Mary’) or Mj: “Big M, little j” – was born and raised in Baltimore by John and Chequita Lanier and is a proud alumna of Baltimore City College. Mx. Lanier wears many hats including coach, friend, organizer, program developer and evaluator, committee chair, epidemiological and research assistant, daughter, sister, aunt of six, and a great aunt of eight. Mx. Lanier graduated from Towson University in 2016 with a BS in Psychology, Sociology & Anthropology and African & African American studies. They also completed a year of service in AmeriCorps with Public Allies Maryland through SWCOS and have not left the School of Social Work since. Throughout their tenure, Mx. Lanier served as co-chair of the Anti-Oppression Work Group, the Diversity and Anti-Oppression Committee, and the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee. Mx. Lanier also sat on the SWCOS Community Advisory Board and Black Yield Institutes’ Circle of Wise Counsel, as well as co-founded, with SWCOS, GOTV. Mx. Lanier served as the primary and general University Student Government Association senator and was an active member and participant in many other student groups including OASIS, DREAM, QCA, and MSU. They are graduating with a Macro/Clinical concentration, Behavioral Health specialization, and a sub-specialization in Social Work in the Workplace Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). While enrolled in the School of Social Work Mx. Lanier has filled the roles of organizer, program developer, data systems manager, capacity builder, counselor, and worked with people of all ages including kindergarteners, young adults & high school seniors, and senior citizens. Like their parents, Mx. Lanier works every day with the goal of advancing the liberation of Black people with the understanding that when all Black people are free, all people will be free.

Amy Cohen-Callow Award This award is presented by the macro faculty to a student who both meets high academic standards and distinguishes themselves in pursuit of excellence in human service delivery systems and interventions. Such activities include new program development, strategic initiatives, volunteer management, fundraising and performance management. The award is also our way of paying tribute to a beloved colleague, Dr. Amy Cohen-Callow, who passed away from cancer in 2018. Amy was an organizational scholar, with expertise in non-profit volunteer management, was a dedicated teacher and epitomized organizational citizenship. We are inspired to see that her ideals live on in the work of our students.

Joy Scalabrin

Macro-Clinical/Community Action and Social Policy Joy Scalabrin received a BA degree in Public Health Studies and Spanish from Johns Hopkins University. It was at Hopkins, both in and out of the classroom, that she cultivated an interest in the complex interactions between individuals, communities, and their social environments that ultimately led her to social work. In her field placements, she supported refugee and immigrant students in Baltimore City Schools and worked on advocacy and policy initiatives for Catholic Relief Services. Ms. Scalabrin received the Gwendolyn C. Lee Award for Innovative Social Work Practice for her work with refugee and immigrant students. Ms. Scalabrin also served as a student representative to the Master’s Program Committee and as Vice President of the Student Government Association, working alongside students, faculty, staff, and administrators to support student learning throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. She has learned an immense amount from the knowledge and experiences of her peers and professors and is so grateful for the community she has found at the School of Social Work. After graduation, she looks forward to taking a few deep breaths and eventually pursuing a career where she can uplift community voices to create lasting change.

Julee Kryder-Coe Award for Advocacy and Social Action The Julee Kryder-Coe Award for Outstanding Achievement in Advocacy and Social Justice is presented by the macro faculty to a student who both meets high academic standards and distinguishes herself in pursuit of activities that enhance the lives of those who are oppressed, marginalized, and excluded - and seeks to overturn the dominant paradigm. The award is also our way of paying tribute to a beloved colleague, Julee Kryder-Coe, who passed away from cancer in 2003. Julee was a true advocate for equality and justice in many important causes. We are inspired to see that her ideals live on in the work of our students – including this year’s recipient.

Anna Britton

Macro/Community Action and Social Policy Anna Britton completed her MSW with a Macro concentration in Community Action and Social Policy. In the 2020-2021 academic year, through her internship with SWCOS, Ms. Britton led the establishment of The Disruptor, a student-run journal at SSW. She will spend the next few years focused on raising her children and writing, then plans to pursue a career in politics.

Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare Program Outstanding MSW Student of the Year The Title IV-E MSW Student of the Year Award is awarded to a graduating student who has demonstrated an outstanding level of proficiency, initiative, and commitment to the highest standards of social work practice in a public child welfare field placement. The Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare Program prepares social work students for practice with families and children who are served by Maryland’s public child welfare system. The program is a partnership with Maryland’s Department of Human Resources and is a federal initiative to encourage social work students to pursue careers in child welfare.

Kiayra Ingram

Clinical/Family and Children Raised in Northeast Baltimore, Kiayra Ingram is a Baltimore City native who grew up in a big household where faith, family togetherness, and hard work were the foundation of her upbringing.

Her path to being a social worker has evolved from many avenues, but her heart, passion and strength lay with impacting youth and families in a more direct and interactive way. This led to her pursuit of a career in social work in order to accomplish that goal.

Because Ms. Ingram has always had a love for helping people, giving back, and motivating others to strive for greatness regardless of their circumstance, she felt inspired to remain in the helping profession. Graduating from the University of Baltimore with a BA degree in Human Services Administration, Ms. Ingram knew that there was more for her to do in order to help the advancement of minorities and other vulnerable populations. She decided to pursue her MSW degree at The University of Maryland, Baltimore, in an effort to gain the platform necessary to advocate for and empower youth and families within Baltimore. Ms. Ingram’s journey forward will be one of great tenacity, dedication, and passion that will allow her to be a positive influence and decision-maker in Baltimore.

Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research Program Award

The Geriatrics and Gerontology Education and Research Program (GGEAR) is an interprofessional program that has been funded by the State of Maryland since 1987 for the purpose of enhancing health professional training in the field of geriatrics and gerontology. The University of Maryland, Baltimore, with is seven professional schools, is well-positioned to provide training opportunities for UMB students and licensed health care professionals serving older adults and their families.

The GGEAR Award acknowledges graduating students who exemplify the standards of the program.

Rachel Brandon

Clinical/Health/Research Assistant Scholar/Behavioral Health Workforce Integrations, Service and Education Fellow Rachel Brandon is a graduating clinical Master of Social Work (MSW) student at University of Maryland Baltimore (UMB) with a specialization in Health. She spent her advanced year field placement at Saint Agnes Cancer Institute, working with many older adults facing a cancer diagnosis. She also participated as a Research Assistant (RA) Scholar with her mentor Dr. John Cagle. As an RA, she contributed to research on the implementation of social justice in palliative social work in clinical settings. She also served as the administrative assistant for the editors of the Second Edition of the Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work. Following graduation, Ms. Brandon will be launching her career as a palliative social worker in the DC area with the support of her fiancé Henry and their two cats.

The Universities at Shady Grove Award

The Universities at Shady Grove award is given to a student who exemplifies scholarship excellence, service to the campus and broader community, demonstrated leadership in departmental or campus graduate student issues and involvement in campus organizations, issues, and activities.

Reem Sharaf

Clinical-Macro/Behavioral Health/Behavioral Health Workforce Integrations, Service and Education Fellow Reem Sharaf has a background in public health and gender studies, with a focus on prevention and early intervention work with children, adolescents, and families. As a former Gender-Based Violence Technical Advisor, she is an advocate for survivors of crime both at the community and global level. Her experience as a mom, the eldest of her sisters, and as a victims' advocate, makes her that much more committed to restorative programs and policies for preventing violence and empowering women and girls worldwide - particularly among migrant, indigenous, and marginalized groups.

Her work in the humanitarian field motivated her to pursue her MSW. While at UMB, Ms. Sharaf was a BHWISE Lifespan fellow, a UMB PSLI student leader, and the 2020 NASW-MD MSW student of the year. Ms. Sharaf completed her firstyear practicum with Linkages to Learning where she provided trauma-informed individual, group, and family therapy at a Title 1 elementary and restorative justice school. During her advanced practicum, Ms. Sharaf was at The Lourie Center for Children’s Social & Emotional Wellness. While there, she supported the forensic consultation team and provided attachmentfocused, caregiver guidance work and psychodynamic play therapy for children. As a student, Ms. Sharaf served as VP of the Student Organization at USG, reviewer for UMB’s 1807: An Art & Literary Journal, and a member of the UMB IPV Collaborative. Ms. Sharaf hopes to pursue a career in trauma and resiliency work, where she can combine her love of clinical practice with research, program development, and instruction. As a first-generation American, she dedicates this award to her loving family and other immigrant families as a token of gratitude for their sacrifices, perseverance, and resiliency in pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.

Exemplary Faculty Award Professor Bethany Lee Professor

Professor Bethany Lee has been on the faculty at the University of Maryland School of Social Work since 2007. As a child welfare researcher, she loves teaching SOWK 777 Research in Child Welfare, an advanced research course for Title IV-E students and other students interested in youth and families. The course introduces students to evidence-based interventions that promote youth well-being and provides students a hands-on opportunity to analyze Maryland child welfare data to explore permanency outcomes for youth in care. Dr. Lee has high expectations for her students in this rigorous course because she recognizes that her students, like many MSW graduates, are embarking on challenging work where their actions each day will impact the life of a child and family. She is so proud of her former students who have taken on leadership roles in child welfare (including Chris Beegle, Deputy Clinical Director of Family Connections) and those who pursue research careers (like PhD student Shawna Murray-Browne). She can't wait to see what this Class of 2021 will accomplish.

Exemplary Staff Award Chrishna Williams, MS

Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services Chrishna Williams, MS, currently serves as the Director of Alumni Relations and Career Services.

She has over fourteen years of experience in fundraising, student and alumni engagement and volunteer management. In her current role, she works to build and maintain relationships and partnerships with internal and external partners to create engagement opportunities for both students and alumni. Ms. Williams is committed to enhancing the student experience through the creation of career development programming that includes but not limited to resume reviews, mock interviews, career panels and career advising. She also enriched the alumni experience through events and volunteerism.

Ms. Williams earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Strayer University and a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She also holds a certificate in Nonprofit Financial Management.

PhD Graduates & Dissertation Titles

Jenny L. Afkinich Social Workers and Disproportionate Minority Contact: A Mixed Methods Study

John A. Cosgrove Fidelity and Alliance Effects on Youth Outcomes of Functional Family Therapy

Meredith Waudby Gunn The Role of Self-efficacy, Technology Acceptance, and Support, in E-Learning for Child Welfare Workers

Caroline Harmon-Darrow Comparing the Impact of Community-Based Mediation vs. Prosecution on Assault Recidivism Among Adults Daniel Keyser Parents’ Experiences and Perspectives of Early Childhood Mental Health Services and Child Welfare Orrin D. Ware Covariates Associated with Completing Short-Term Residential Treatment for a Substance Use Disorder Among Adults in the U.S.

Behavioral Health Workforce Integration, Service and Education (BHWISE) Fellowships

Behavioral Health Workforce Integration, Service and Education (BHWISE) Fellowships are highly competitive fellowships for social work students committed to working with underserved populations with behavioral health care needs. BHWISE fellows receive inter-professional training opportunities, specialized seminars, a focused plan of study, and a stipend. UMSSW currently has four BHWISE Fellowships:

Lifespan

Lifespan is an advanced year fellowship in integrated, interprofessional behavioral health to clients of all ages with a priority of service to underserved communities. It is a workforce development grant funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Interprofessional Opioid Workforce Advancement (IOWA) fellowship

IOWA, Interprofessional Opioid Workforce Advancement fellowship trains advanced year social work students alongside psychiatric nurse practitioner students, preparing them for interprofessional and integrated practice to meet the needs of those affected by opioid and other substance use disorders. It is a workforce development grant funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Substance Use Disorders Interventions Fellowship (SUDIF)

SUDIF, Substance Use Disorders Interventions Fellowship is a 2 year MSW fellowship for social work students committed to a course of study focusing on the treatment of substance use disorders. Funded through the State of Maryland University System, SUDIF aims to increase the workforce of clinical social workers providing evidence-based interventions in the substance use treatment field. Fellows commit to employment in a substance use disorder treatment program post-graduation.

Substance Use Disorders Workforce Enhancement (SUDWE) Fellowship

SUDWE, Substance Use Disorders Workforce Enhancement Fellowship prioritizes advanced standing students committed to working with individuals, families and communities challenged with substance use disorders. It is a workforce development grant funded through the State of Maryland Behavioral Health Administration.

The Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare Program

(PCW) The Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare Program is a partnership between the University of Maryland School of Social Work and the Maryland Department of Human Resources to recruit and retain professional social workers as practitioners, supervisors and administrators in Maryland’s public child welfare workforce. As a federal initiative, financial education stipends are available and participants agree to participate in child welfare training events and coursework and to seek and accept employment in the state’s public child welfare programs located in local departments of social services upon graduation.

The Research Assistant Scholars Program

(RA) The Research Assistant Scholars Program is a highly competitive award that pairs students with expert researchers in the field of social work. In exchange for a weekly 10-hour work commitment, RA Scholars receive a stipend as well as the opportunity for first-hand research experience with a social work faculty member. Program recipients are chosen based on their overall application for admission to the MSW program as well as interest and experience in research.

MSW Graduates Emily Aaron-CL/HLTH Feena Q. Abbati-CL/BH-EAP (July) Courtney A. Ackerman-CL/FAC/PCW (July) Sophia A. Adamo-CL/BH Jimmietta Adams-CL/FAC/PCW (July) Agustin A. Aguirre Herrera-CL/BH/SUDW (July) Ihedinma Agwu-MC-CL/BH Lori A. Aird-CL-MC/EAP* Munira M. Alami-CL/FAC (July) Sarah Beth S. Alcabes-CL/BH/LSPN Onyinye S. Alheri-MC/FAC Jessica Aliyev-CL/BH Rosalene Allen-MC/CASP (July) Bayan F. Al-Sulaihat-CL/BH/SUDW (July) Victoria Alvarado-CL/BH (July) Estefany Araniva-CL/FAC Katlynn N. Archer-CL-MC/FAC Ashley Argyle-CL/FAC/PCW Christopher Atkins-CL/BH (July) Marissa A. Averett-CL/FAC/PCW Adelaide L. Ayukegba-CL/BH/SUDF Caitlin Balicki-CL-MC/BH/LSPN Latoya Barnes-CL-MC/FAC Alicia Tessa Bazell-MC/BH/RA/MPH Mavlyn Jo-Ann Bazil-MC-CL/CASP Madison Anne Bear-CL/FAC Victoria Beddoe-CL/BH-EAP Myia Belton-CL/BH Maranyely Beltran-CL/FAC/LSPN Yael M. Ben-Chaim-CL-MC/BH/IOWA Morgan Bengel-CL/BH (July) Shelby L. Berger-CL/BH Devora Berkowitz-CL/HLTH Jessica J. Bernstein-CL/BH* Cathy Berry-CL/BH (July) Cari A. Bland-CL/FAC/PCW Alexander A Bleiweis-CL/BH* Tashira J. Blume-CL/BH Peryl Bogart-CL/BH Dominique Bonds-CL/BH (July) Mariah Bonkowski-CL-MC/FAC/PCW Veronica M. Bonsby-CL/FAC Colleen A. Borczon-CL/BH/SUDW (July) Anna A. Borkowski-CL/HLTH Jessica Boursiquot-CL/FAC Justice A. Brandford-CL/FAC Rachel E. Brandon-CL/HLTH/RA/LSPN* Sara K. Brannan-CL/BH (July) Lindsay J. Brewer-CL-MC/BH* Anna L. Britton-MC/CASP* Kaitlin Brown-CL/AG Megan Mullan Brown-CL/BH Grace Anne Brown-CL/FAC

Aubrey Brown-CL/FAC Jada D. Brown Sr.-CL-MC/BH Christina Bryant-CL/BH/MPH* Miriam C. Burgess-CL/BH (July) Marina A. Butler-CL/BH Vivien M. Buvawala-CL/BH/SUDF Hannah P. Caron-CL/BH* (July) Nia S. Carrington-CL/BH (July) Viniceia Carter-MC/CASP* Taniqua S. Carthens-MC-CL/CASP Quran D. Cave-CL/BH (July) Hannah L. Cherry-CL/BH/SUDW (July) Heather Chesiyna-CL/BH Dustin Chin-CL/BH-EAP* (July) Molly H. Chinoy-CL/BH/RA* Rebekah L. Chittenden-CL/FAC/PCW (July) Wandago Choge-Arum-CL/BH (July) Briana Ciccarino-MC-CL/FAC Rebecca Diana Claycomb-CL/FAC Starr Cole-CL/BH Doretta Coley-CL/HLTH (July) Yvonne Combs-CL/BH Patricia Comrie-CL/FAC/PCW Melody Concas-MC-CL/HLTH-CAFH Allyrae Conley-CL/FAC Michaela K. Cooper-CL/FAC (July) Eliza Cordero-CL-MC/HLTH-CAFH (July) Vy Tran Cornett-CL/HLTH (Dec) Imani A. Craig-CL/BH (July) Julie Cronan-MC-CL/CASP Colleen Crowley-CL/HLTH-CAFH Noel E. Cuff-CL/BH Mackenzie A Cunningham-CL/HLTH Victoria L. Daley-CL/FAC Allison D’amato-CL/BH Christopher S. Daniel-MC/CASP* Danielle J. Dasilva-CL/BH Mikayla Davis-CL/BH Jenna D. Davis-CL/FAC/PCW Juliana M. Davis-CL/FAC/PCW (July) Chelsea N. Deeg-CL/BH (July) Taylor B. Diehr-CL/BH Brittany T. Dorsey-MC-CL/HLTH-CAFH (July) Amber Joi Dortch-CL/BH Dana Peel Dudley-MC/FAC Katherine A. Duley-CL/BH (July) Antonina Duzhikhin-MC/CASP (July) Sykia Edwards-CL/BH Jocelyn Edwards-CL/BH-EAP Theresa E. Ekwutife-CL/BH Jessica Enig-CL/BH* Zuriyat Esmaeliani-CL/BH Katie Eileen Espinoza-CL/BH Johanne Elaine Etienne Zawitoski-MC-CL/FAC/PCW Samantha M. Evans-CL/HLTH Cara Falco-CL/BH/SUDF

Kelly Fallace-CL/AG (July) Kaitlin M. Falls-CL/BH Sumr Farooq-CL/BH/RA Bryan Fiorita-CL/BH (July) Brent A. Fischbein-CL/BH Taheria J. Fisher-CL/BH Emily A. Fitzgerald-CL/HLTH/RA Juanita T. Fontenot-CL-MC/BH Devon Fore-CL/BH/LSPN* James W. Foster-CL/BH Romeo Fotso-CL/BH (July) Tiara D. Fowlkes-CL-MC/AG Kirsten A. Francis-CL/FAC Kellen E. Franklin-CL/BH (July) Stacey Robin Frierson-CL/AG (Dec) Christine M. Galarza-MC-CL/CASP Tomika Gay-MC-CL/FAC/PCW Robdeti G. Geleta-CL/BH Shameka A. Gibbs-CL/BH Maya Gibbs-CL/BH Alexandra Giza-CL/BH Aliya Gladden-CL/BH/RA Erin Glinowiecki-CL/BH/LSPN* Jill M. Godfrey-CL/BH (July) Peter L. Godwin-CL/AG Allison R. Gonzalez-CL/BH Cathy Marlene Gonzalez-CL/BH Karla E. Gonzalez-CL/FAC/PCW (July) Rachel Goodrich-CL/BH (July) Ametisse N. Gover-Chamlou-CL/BH/RA/SUDF* Karen Granados-CL/FAC (July) Frederick W. Grant-CL-MC/BH (July) Alexis Green-CL-MC/FAC (July) Amanda J. Greenwood-CL/FAC/PCW* Andrea L. Grubmeyer-CL-MC/HLTH (July) Iliari Gutierrez-CL/BH-EAP Naomi A. Haber-CL/BH (July) Brittani Hairston-CL/FAC/PCW (July) Kamree S. Hall-MC-CL/CASP (July) Nicole M. Hanna-CL/BH (July) Taylor J. Hans-CL/BH Jessica Harding-MC-CL/CASP Lucy Y. Harrelson-MC-CL/CASP Melissa E. Harris-CL/BH (July) Shanice E. Harris-CL-MC/BH/LSPN (July) E. Cameron Hartofelis-CL/HLTH Monashiir Haughton-CL/HLTH-CAFH Toria Devonne Hawkins-CL-MC/BH/MPH Deameshia Hayes-CL-MC/FAC (July) Tanasia Hazelton-MC-CL/OL (July) Laura E. Helbling-CL/BH/RA/IOWA* Lindsey C. Henry-CL/AG (Dec) Edwin A. Hernandez-Martinez-CL/BH (July) Denisse Herrera-CL-MC/BH/SUDW (July) Allison Alvarez Hicks-CL/HLTH (Dec) Emmaline C. Higgins-CL/AG

Samantha C. Hilario-MC/CASP (July) Jade Victoria Hill-CL/BH Bria N. Hill-CL-MC/FAC Tracy Leigh Hincke-MC-CL/HLTH-CAFH/MPH Angela L. Hoeng-CL/BH Edith S. Hopkins-CL/FAC Chelsey J. Horton-CL-MC/BH Denisha M. Howard-CL/BH Casseam Huber-CL/BH* (July) Asia B. Humphries-CL/FAC (July) Brianna Hurwitz-CL/BH/SUDF Ogechi Igwe-CL/BH Kiayra Ingram-CL/FAC/PCW Natali Elizabeth Iraheta-CL/BH/LSPN Deveney Isler-CL/BH (July) Shonda S. Jackson-CL-MC/AG (Dec) Cameron R. Jackson-CL/BH Joanna Jackson-CL-MC/HLTH-CAFH (July) Melia J. Jannotta-CL/BH/LSPN* Jessica Jenkins-CL/BH Brittany Jessurun-CL/BH (July) Kiara Yanika Jiles-CL/FAC/PCW Amber Johnson-CL/BH (July) Natalie L. Johnson-CL-MC/FAC/PCW (July) Paige Jones-MC-CL/CASP Madeline Jonz-CL-MC/BH/LSPN (July) Dianna M. Jordan-CL-MC/HLTH (July) Lela D. Kaidbey-CL-MC/AG Victoria Renee Kelly Robles-CL/BH/LSPN Lubert N. Kernizan-CL/HLTH-CAFH (July) Hailey Kerr-CL/FAC/PCW Andrea C. Kim-CL/BH/IOWA Krista N. Kinder-CL/BH (July) Allison Kirsch-CL/BH Brianna Brooke Knowlton-MC/CASP Tianna A. Knox-CL/FAC (July) Schuyler Elizabeth Koch-CL/FAC Khadeja G. Kourouma-MC-CL/CASP Monica Kriss-CL/BH/LSPN Courtenay M Labson-CL/BH* Paula Lafferty-MC/BH (Dec) Rebecca Lafleur-CL/HLTH/LSPN Rebecca Elizabeth LaMora-CL/BH/IOWA* Julia Landro-CL/BH Maryrejahlil C. Lanier-MC-CL/BH-EAP La'Nia Shaqua Latimer-CL-MC/FAC Hadassah B. Lavianlivi-CL/BH Aarika C. Lee-CL/BH Sophie K. Lee-CL/BH Iphigenie Lindsey Leonard-CL-MC/BH/IOWA Kate A. Letsa-CL/FAC/PCW Katherine M. Lewis-CL/BH Patricia H. Lieberman-CL/FAC Christina Eunji Lim-CL/BH/LSPN Gabriella V. Lira Alvarez-CL/BH Rachel C. Loreto-CL/FAC/PCW*

Taylor Luallen-MC/FAC America M. Lucero-CL/BH (Dec) Lorena Patricia Lues-CL/BH/SUDW Emily G. Luft-CL/FAC Anisa Annetta Lyder-CL/HLTH Bridget L. MacDonald-CL/HLTH-CAFH (July) Alia Mahmud-CL/FAC Sakiera Denise Malone-CL/BH/SUDF Davielle E. Marsh-CL/FAC Mario Orlando Martinez-CL/BH/MBA Caroline R. Masucci-CL/BH Jada Kay Maultsby-CL/BH Dionne McConkey-MC-CL/CASP Aaron Ross McCracken-CL/BH/LSPN Amber T. McDonald-CL/BH/SUDW (July) Isabel McLain-MC-CL/CASP* Lakia P. McMillion-CL-MC/FAC/PCW Jordan T. McPhaull-CL/FAC Hanna Eryn McWilliams-CL/FAC/PCW Maura Mendes-CL/BH Kaitlin S. Meyers-CL/HLTH-CAFH Christopher B. Michaels-CL/BH (July) Niteara Mickey-MC-CL/BH Zaira Roxana Miranda-CL/BH Danielle M. Misterka-CL/AG Elsa M. Moeller-CL/BH/RA* Vanessa Cerro Molina-CL/BH Rigel Alinda Moore-MC/CASP Ivania Morales-CL-MC/FAC (July) Elena Morrissey-CL/HLTH/LSPN* Laura J. Mouanoutoua-CL/BH Eunice N. Mugo-CL-MC/AG Casey J. Muller-CL/BH Renee Myrie-CL/BH-EAP/SUDF Isabella K. Najera-CL/BH* Doroth Nakalunda-CL/BH Amanda N. Nchang-CL-MC/BH-EAP Patricia Nelson-CL/FAC (July) Maureen Ngugi-CL/AG (July) David A. Nunez-CL/BH (July) Rachel Oddoye-CL/BH (July) Doris Oforiwah Ofori-CL/FAC Folashade Olusola Ogunleye-CL-MC/HLTH-CAFH Kathleen O’Malley-CL/BH (July) Ngozi C. Onyekuru-CL/BH Yetunde Oriowo-CL/FAC/LSPN Andrea Ortiz-CL/BH* Jessyca Nicole Orzech-CL/BH Kaye A. Otten-CL/BH* Luke Adam Otterbein-CL/BH-EAP/IOWA Zachary J. Padgett-CL/FAC* Amanda K. Page-CL/BH/IOWA Megan E. Palmer-CL/BH (July) Marco Palomino-CL-MC/HLTH Supriya Pandit-CL/BH (July) Ceisha Pardue-CL/FAC/PCW

Judith Haeri Park-MC-CL/CASP/MPH* Erica Partner-CL/BH Anna E. Patten-CL/BH Sierra A. Paul-CL/BH (July) Alejandra H. Paull-CL-MC/HLTH Rebecca E. Peffer-CL/BH/RA/IOWA* Nicole K. Penansky-CL/BH Julia P. Perini-CL/BH/LSPN Julia Petre-CL-MC/BH/SUDF Renee Elise Pierson-CL/FAC/PCW* Holly Elizabeth Pifer-CL/BH Tyri Playfair-Deacon-CL/HLTH Grace A. Plihal-CL-MC/BH Laura Pollard-CL/BH/LSPN Esther O. Popoola-CL/BH-EAP/SUDF Anna C. Powell-CL-MC/AG (July) Lauren Y. Powell-CL/BH (July) Mary Lynn Price-CL/BH Nyjae A. Pride-CL/FAC (July) Rachel E. Prouty-CL/BH Clare Veronica Pugh-CL-MC/BH Daniela Carolina Pulido-CL-MC/FAC Amy C. Radcliffe-CL/BH (July) Sydney K. Ramsing-CL/BH/IOWA Isabelle H. Ramsland-CL/BH Afshan Rana-CL/BH (Dec) Mariam Rasheed-CL/BH-EAP Claudia Ray-MC-CL/FAC Deidre L. Reeder-CL/BH Ariana Micaela Reisch-CL/BH Julie Resendiz-CL/BH/LSPN (July) Janet M. Reyes-CL/FAC/PCW Annie C. Rice-CL/AG Sonya Rice-CL/BH Sydney Richardson-CL/HLTH-CAFH/LSPN Renita Lynn Riddick-CL/BH-EAP Emily Paige Ridgely-CL/FAC/PCW Belqui N. Rios-CL/FAC Aaliyah Rivers-CL-MC/FAC/PCW Kirsten A. Robinette-CL/BH Julia Robinson-CL/BH Comfort Robinson-CL/BH Cailean Robinson-CL-MC/FAC/PCW Jasmine Robinson-CL/BH (July) Megan Henrion Rodgers-CL/FAC Sunnaye Rogers-CL/FAC/PCW Olgalidia Rosas-CL/FAC/LSPN Maiyah A. Rose-CL-MC/FAC Dayna R. Rosenthal-Goldsmith-CL/BH* Giselle Rotenberg-CL/BH (Dec) Kimeisha Rowe-MC-CL/FAC/PCW Teshia M. Rowe-Webber-CL/BH (July) Doreen K. Rozario-CL/BH Delaney M. Rubenstein-CL/BH Marielle L. Rubeor-CL/BH Ashley Hartsell Ruocco-CL/BH

Ryan D. Russell-CL/BH Kathleen D. Ryan-MC/CASP (July) Kali A. Sadler-CL/BH* Kamanie Sahdeo-CL/FAC* Katrieana Salas-CL/BH/RA/LSPN Francesca Salzberg-CL/FAC Shannon W. Sammis-CL/BH Carla J. Sanchez-CL/BH (July) Caroline Rose Sauers-CL/FAC Joy H. Scalabrin-MC-CL/CASP* Caroline Schneider-CL/BH* Carly G. Schreiner-CL/HLTH Justin Schultz-CL/AG Holly K. Schultz-CL/BH Mary Schulz-CL/BH/IOWA (July) Brittany Taylor Scible-CL/BH/SUDW Rebecca Sellman-CL/HLTH-CAFH (July) Natalia C. Seo-CL/BH (July) Lyric Seymore-CL/BH Colette A. Shade-CL/BH Reem M. Sharaf-CL-MC/BH/LSPN Kelly G. Shaw-CL/BH/IOWA (July) Camille Shorter-CL/FAC (July) Sophie Siebach-Glover-MC/CASP/MPP Lina Sierra Castillo-CL/BH Imani Olivia-Marie Simpkins-CL/FAC/LSPN Paris V. Singleton-CL/BH (July) Kathryn Skalski-CL/BH* Sarah Skolnik-MC/CASP Lisa C. Small-CL/BH (July) Ambrym S. Smith-CL/AG Christia’n L. Smith-CL/BH Romy S. Smith-CL/BH Dominic J. Smith-CL/FAC Sierra O. Somerville-CL/BH/LSPN Sheila A. Somo-CL/FAC/PCW (July) William Sparkman-CL/FAC (July) Arielle Speert-CL/FAC Sarah N. Spencer-CL/BH/LSPN* Stacey L. Sperry-CL/BH (July) Emily Hopkins Sprague-CL/HLTH-CAFH Abi Giovanna Stefanelli-CL/BH* Tiera M. Stepney-CL/FAC Alexandra Stevens-CL/BH Leah Street-CL/BH Jennifer N. Strongwood-CL/HLTH Tosha M. Stubbs-CL/BH Julie A. Stukey-CL/BH* Benjamin W. Swartz-CL/BH (Dec) Naomi Swenson-CL/BH/RA Megan G. Switalski-CL/BH Wouhib K. Tamrat-CL/BH/RA Sidney T. Tan-CL/BH Zha’Anya Ettice Taylor-CL/BH (July) Cherie Tebah-CL-MC/BH (July) Victoria Tende-CL/BH

Courtney B. Thomas-CL/BH Azhia-Lin E. Thompson-CL/BH Anna L. Thompson-MC-CL/FAC/RA Ericka Thompson-MC-CL/BH Neshiya B. Thornton-CL/BH Andrea Tompkins-CL/BH/SUDF Kelly Tuckwaite-CL/BH (July) Michael Tully-CL/BH-EAP* Chelsea P. Turner-CL/BH Cynthia Uchendu-CL/BH Ana Milena Valbuena-CL/HLTH Emely Vargas-CL/FAC Matthew S. Veader-CL/BH (July) Anais Ventura-CL/BH Anastasia Vinnikova-CL/BH/SUDF* Melissa T .Walters-CL/BH Jordan T. Ward-CL/BH/LSPN Jervonne Ward-CL/FAC/PCW (July) Nelly N. Waribe-MC/CASP Alexcia Wattie-CL/BH (July) Indigo Porter Zenzen Weinstein-CL/BH Arthur J. Weiss-CL/BH Lydia Weiss-MC/CASP Nathalie A. Werebe-MC/CASP Brian George White-CL/BH/SUDF Anna R. White-CL/BH/LSPN Tessa S. Wienholt-CL/BH/SUDW (July) Shannon E. Wiley-CL/BH (July) Courtney Sanguia Marie Williams-CL/BH Laquandra M. Williams-MC-CL/CASP Belinda G. Williams-CL/FAC (July) Diara Williams-Nelson-MC/FAC (July) Anne Francoeur Wilson-CL-MC/HLTH/LSPN* Raina Wilson-MC/BH Shayquan D. Winegan-CL/BH/SUDW (July) Hannah O’shay Winfield-CL/BH* Sheila Winter-MC-CL/BH Christina M. Wolff-CL/BH (July) Christine M. Woodcock-CL/FAC/PCW Rachel C. Woods-CL/BH Ugochi Woodward-CL/FAC (July) Chloe C. Wright-CL/BH (July) Michelle Yan-CL/BH Khadija Abdisamed Yassin-CL/HLTH (July) Jessica Morgan Yingling-CL/BH/LSPN* Carlene Young-CL/HLTH

Explanation of Codes: Academic Concentration & Specialization CL – Clinical MC – Macro AG – Aging BH – Behavioral Health BH-EAP – Behavioral Health - Workplace and Employee Assistance CASP – Community Action and Social Policy FAC – Families and Children HLTH – Health HTLH-CAFH – Health - Child, Adolescent and Family Health IND – Individualized OL – Organizational Leadership

Dual Degrees JD – Juris Doctorate – Dual Degree with University of Maryland School of Law MPP – Master of Public Policy – Dual Degree with University of Maryland College Park – School of Public Policy MBA – Master of Business Administration – Dual Degree with University of Maryland College Park – Robert H. Smith School of Business MPH – Master of Public Health – Dual Degree with University of Maryland School of Medicine or Johns Hopkins University

Other IOWA – Interprofessional Opioid Workforce Advancement LSPN – Behavioral Health Workforce Integration, Service and Education - Lifespan PCW – Title IV-E Education for Public Child Welfare RA – Research Assistant Scholars Program SUDF – Substance Use Disorders Interventions Fellowship (SUDIF) SUDW – Substance Use Disorder Workforce Enhancement (SUDWE) *Nominated to UM-UMB Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Academic Costume The traditional caps and gowns worn in the academic procession have been the costume of scholars since medieval times.

They were probably adapted from ecclesiastical garb, since many scholars in the Middle Ages were clerics. In 1895, an intercollegiate commissions drafted a uniform code for academic costumes, which the majority of colleges and universities in the United States have adopted.

Each of the three academic degrees has its own distinctive gown and hood. The gown representing the bachelor’s degree has a long, pointed sleeve; the master’s a narrow sleeve; the doctor’s a full, bell-shaped sleeve with three bars of velvet. The opening of this gown is faced with wide velvet bands, which may be black or of a color indicating the wearer’s general field of learning.

The most colorful and distinctive part of the academic costume is the hood, which passes around the neck and extends down the back. The color of the velvet edging indicates the wearer’s field of learning. The colors of the silk lining exposed in the center of the hood are those of the college or university that conferred the degree. The tassel may be either black or the color of the field of learning. The tassel of a doctor’s cap may be gold.