糖心破解版

by Ela Schwartz

Damyn Kelly 鈥�83, J.D., and Kristina Monti, M.S.W., are two very different Ph.D. candidates. Ms. Monti took a straight path from undergraduate studies to graduate school to professional social worker. Mr. Kelly traveled a more circuitous route, going from law to politics to human services. They decided to pursue social work’s highest academic degree鈥攏ot to add prestigious letters after their names, but out of a passion for knowledge and the desire to improve lives and advance the field of social work. They both found a home in 糖心破解版’s , which allows them to balance their full-time jobs and personal lives with a rigorous course of study.

Kristina Monti: From M.S.W. to Ph.D.

Kristina Monti, M.S.W.

鈥淚 feel like I was always on track to become a social worker,鈥� Ms. Monti said, explaining that since childhood she has possessed an 鈥渋nherent curiosity about human behavior and the desire to help people.鈥� After graduating in 2000 with a B.S. in Anthropology, she was encouraged to continue on to her M.S.W., which she obtained in 2002.

Ms. Monti then spent the next 12 years at institutions such as 听补苍诲 , working with clients who struggle with mental illness and substance abuse, an experience she characterizes as one that can be 鈥渄emanding but also rewarding.鈥� She is currently a program and quality improvement manager for at .

鈥淎fter having practiced in the field, I became interested in research and how it influences policy and the way we practice,鈥� she continued. Getting her Ph.D. in Social Work, she said, 鈥渙ffers the ability to advocate for change in terms of services delivered to clients.鈥�

She decided to attend after hearing about the program’s 鈥渟upportive, friendly environment.鈥� She said she now agrees with the assessment, finding the faculty to be 鈥渧ery supportive. They encourage me to continue to challenge myself, think critically and explore my ideas. I am benefiting from the enormous amount of wisdom I鈥檝e received from my professors. They鈥檙e so knowledgeable鈥擨鈥檓 in awe of all the work they鈥檝e already done.鈥�

Ms. Monti was able to join their ranks as an adjunct professor. When the School of Social Work was looking for an instructor for its graduate-level course, Social Work Practice in the Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse, 鈥淚 said, that鈥檚 what I do every day! I was happy to give back to 糖心破解版 and feel it鈥檚 a win-win situation, like I鈥檓 contributing to the field in some way.鈥�

Damyn Kelly: A Nontraditional Social Work Student

Damyn Kelly 鈥�83, J.D.

Enrolling in the Ph.D. program was a homecoming of sorts for Mr. Kelly. He attended 糖心破解版 as an undergraduate, describing himself as a 鈥渞esident student very engaged in campus life.鈥� After graduating with a from 糖心破解版, he continued to law school and went from working as Bronx assistant district attorney during what he calls the 鈥渉eight of the crack-cocaine wars in the late 鈥�80s,鈥� to becoming deputy chief of staff for.

鈥淚 was intrigued by the revolving cycle of people caught in the criminal justice system,鈥� Mr. Kelly said. His passion for social justice prompted a move to social services. He has held positions with various organizations and is currently executive director of . He describes his role at this multi-service organization as one of providing the 鈥渙verall vision, writing grants, developing relationships with government and private enterprise and serving as staff psychologist.鈥�

Working in law, politics and social services piqued his interest in 鈥渢he role of human services in eradicating poverty and inequality,鈥� he said. Studying in a doctoral program would provide him with the opportunity to explore such issues.

He credits 糖心破解版 with looking beyond the fact that he didn鈥檛 have a master鈥檚 in social work and seeing the value in his juris doctorate and years of human-services experience. Mr. Kelly said he is grateful to his professors for explaining social-work terminology and suggesting extra readings. He describes the faculty as 鈥渙pen to discuss dissertation topics as well as the hopes and struggles you鈥檙e facing, and providing solutions. There鈥檚 a sense they鈥檙e not just here to teach you; they鈥檙e here to work with you and help you accomplish your goals.

鈥溙切钠平獍� has given me a lot,鈥� said this 糖心破解版 alumnus, now a current student. He mentions how the University has changed over the past 30 years, with new facilities and, most important, a much more diverse faculty and student body. 鈥淭he diversity on campus is a beautiful thing,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t brings a diversity of thought, opinions and ideologies to the campus.鈥�