Howard University MSW Student Ebony Dukes Wilcox and Doctoral Student Hannan Hijazi Awarded CSWE Minority Fellowship

Howard University MSW Student Ebony Dukes Wilcox and Doctoral Student Hannan Hijazi Awarded CSWE Minority Fellowship

Howard University’s School of Social Work proudly announces that MSW student Ebony Dukes Wilcox and Doctoral student Hannan Hijazi have been selected as recipients of the prestigious 2024-2025 CSWE Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). This fellowship, an initiative of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), supports emerging leaders dedicated to improving mental health and substance abuse services for underserved communities.

Ebony Dukes Wilcox and Hannan Hijazi continue a distinguished legacy of recipients from Howard University School of Social Work. They follow in the footsteps of 2023-2024 master's fellow Miah Pankey and doctoral fellows Dwayne James and Danica Nestor, the newly appointed Dean of Social Work, Dr. Sheara Jennings, and many more accomplished colleagues at the School of Social Work, adding to the university’s proud history of excellence, truth and service in social work leadership.

Founded by Howard University alumnus Carl Anderson Scott, MSW, the Minority Fellowship Program has awarded over 600 doctoral fellowships, with many recipients serving as deans, directors, and faculty in social work programs across the nation. The MFP advances the mission of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) by training individuals to address mental health and substance abuse issues in underrepresented and vulnerable communities. 

The MFP offers two key opportunities:

• Master’s Fellowship: This fellowship is designed to enhance the training of full-time master’s students committed to providing mental health services to racial and ethnic minority groups at risk for mental health and/or substance use disorders. The program aims to reduce health disparities and improve outcomes by increasing the number of culturally competent behavioral health professionals.
• Doctoral Fellowship: Doctoral fellows are prepared to provide leadership in practice, research, teaching, and policy development. Their focus is on addressing mental health and substance use disorders in diverse communities. This fellowship offers professional development, mentorship, and career support.

Reflections from the Fellowship Recipients:

Ebony Dukes Wilcox stated, "As a social work professional, I am passionate about utilizing the Black Perspective to provide integrated, compassionate care. The CSWE Minority Fellowship is an invaluable opportunity to contribute to systemic change and evidence-based practices that address disparities in resources, treatment, and health outcomes for minority populations affected by mental health and substance use disorders."

Hanan Hijazi shared, "This fellowship allows me to enhance my ability to provide culturally competent care to BIPOC communities, with a focus on trauma-informed practices. It also furthers my research into mental health challenges facing immigrants, refugees, and Muslim populations. I am grateful for the opportunity to expand my expertise through the CSWE Minority Fellowship."

The School of Social Work at Howard University commends both Ebony Dukes Wilcox and Hannan Hijazi for their achievements and looks forward to their ongoing contributions to the field of social work. 

Howard University is a proud sponsor of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP). For more information, please visit https://www.cswe.org/centers-initiatives/minority-fellowship-program/.