The Wurzweiler School of Social Work is pleased to announce that Ph.D. student, Allysha Bryant, has received the CSWE MFP Doctoral fellowship. In existence for over 50 years, the fellowship is designed to increase the numbers of doctoral-trained social workers to address the mental health and/or substance abuse needs of racial and ethnic minority communities. The fellowship is also highly competitive, with applicants from social work PhD. and DSW programs across the country.
鈥淔or 50 years, the CSWE Minority Fellows Program has provided scholarships to outstanding Ph.D. students in order to build up the cadre of scholars addressing important behavioral health issues,鈥 said Dr. Randy Magen, Dorothy & David Schachne Dean, Wurzweiler School of Social Work. 鈥淗er work to increase social worker's political engagement is important in this time of high polarization, bringing people into the process is a positive way forward.鈥
Bryant鈥檚 journey in social work has always been about more than understanding the challenges individuals and communities face. 鈥淚t has been about asking how we can change the conditions that create those challenges in the first place,鈥 added Bryant. 鈥淭his fellowship gives me the opportunity to learn alongside scholars and leaders who share that commitment, deepen my scholarship, and continue building relationships that will shape the impact of my work long after I complete my doctorate.鈥
Bryant is a Grenadian American social worker, scholar, educator, and community leader based in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to pursuing her doctorate in Social Welfare at Wurzweiler, she earned her Master of Social Work from the School, specializing in Community Practice and Political Social Work. She currently serves as the director of NY Connects Brooklyn at Presbyterian Senior Services, where she leads a community-based program connecting older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to long-term services and supports. She is also an adjunct instructor, practicum instructor, and researcher, and serves as chair of the NASW-NYS Political Action for Candidate Election (PACE) Committee.
Following graduation, she hopes to pursue opportunities in academia, government, research institutions, and philanthropy, where she can conduct policy-relevant research, teach and mentor future social workers, influence public policy, and help shape funding priorities. 鈥淯ltimately, I want to be in positions where I can translate research into action, inform institutional decision-making, and contribute to meaningful, lasting systems change,鈥 said Bryant. 鈥淚 am proud to be part of the Wurzweiler community and grateful for the many ways the school has contributed to my development as a scholar and social worker.鈥
