MSW student Kianna Goodwin has been selected by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) as a 2018-
2019 Verne LeMarr Lyons Scholarship recipient. Lyons Scholarships are awarded to master’s degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated an interest in or have experience with health/mental health practice and have a commitment to working in African American communities.
Goodwin is a rising advanced practice MSW student focusing on mental health who is passionate about contemplative research and practice, harm-reduction, and social justice. She decided to pursue an MSW degree after several years of working in crisis intervention as an advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence in Madison as well as working with women and minorities experiencing violence and discrimination in Goa, India. Her second-year advanced field placement will be at Anesis Center for Marriage and Family Therapy where she will work with families and survivors of trauma in their teen and prisoner re-entry program groups.
Goodwin was one of only four students selected for increased funding, including funds earmarked for conference and professional development opportunities. She will be one of 50 students, along with their agency supervisors, to attend the Social Work HEALS Student Policy Summit in Spring 2019 in Washington, DC, a special opportunity to learn about and participate in the policy making process.