The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health at The University of Texas at Austin has awarded scholarships to 27 bilingual students seeking a master’s degree in social work to help increase diversity in the Texas mental health workforce.
Now in its fourth year, the bilingual scholarship program has awarded a total of 109 scholarships since fall 2008 to increase cultural and linguistic diversity in the Texas mental health workforce.
Scholarship recipients receive full tuition and fees. Recipients must be fluent in English and a second language chosen by the graduate program, typically Spanish. They also must commit to working in Texas after graduation providing mental health services for a period equal to the timeframe of the scholarship. Scholarships are available at all 12 Texas graduate schools of social work that are accredited or pending accreditation by the national Council on Social Work Education.
Studies have shown populations of color and those who speak a language other than English are under-represented in social work and mental health professions in Texas. As a result, many people may not have access to mental health services that adequately meet their cultural and linguistic needs.
“This innovative scholarship program directly addresses the critical need for a more culturally and linguistically competent mental health workforce,” said Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the Hogg Foundation. “We are excited to infuse the workforce with talented and highly qualified students who have these added skills that are in such high demand now.”
The Hogg Foundation advances recovery and wellness in Texas by funding mental health services, policy analysis, research and public education. The foundation was created in 1940 by the children of former Texas Governor James S. Hogg, and is part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin.
2011 2012 Bilingual Scholarship Recipients
- Abilene Christian University: Jessica Castillo, Abilene; Jenna Thorne, Pasco, Wash.
- Baylor University: Lizeth Castillo, Carolina Fuentes and Andres Monsalve, Waco
- Our Lady of the Lake University: Yesenia Almeda, Sylmar, Calif.
- Stephen F. Austin State University: Lourdes Cornelio Arellano, Tyler
- Texas AandM University Commerce: Mirna Guzman Cervantes and Johnny Rodriguez, McKinney
- Texas State University San Marcos: Andres Garcia, Live Oak; Ana Mejia, San Marcos; Kathryn Kelly and Adriana Peabody, Austin
- University of Houston: Emilio Herrera and Victoria Reyes, Houston
- University of Texas at Arlington: Saul Mosqueda, Denton; Rebecca Vasquez, Weslaco
- University of Texas at Austin: Ana Coronado, Austin; Lina Palomares, Panorama City, Calif.
- University of Texas at El Paso: Melina Chavez, El Paso; Angelica Felix-Mena, Socorro
- University of Texas Pan American: Bianca Guajardo, Pharr; Nancy Lopez, San Juan; Estela Martinez, San Benito; Elma Moreno, McAllen; Anedia Pineda, Weslaco
- University of Texas at San Antonio: Bertha Valdez, San Antonio
