My name is Carlina Baptista, and I’m a 28-year-old Master of Social Work student at Adelphi University. I have over five years of experience as a care manager, supporting individuals with serious mental illness, chronic medical conditions, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. My Cape Verdean background and personal journey have shaped my passion for helping others — especially women in recovery. I’m currently building my skills in motivational interviewing, CBT, and group facilitation, with plans to complete my CASAC alongside my degree.

Lauren Barragan completed her undergraduate degree in psychology at Wesleyan University, and now is currently a Clinical Social Work Student at Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College. She is expected to graduate with her MSW in May 2025. Lauren’s dedication to better understanding individual and family wholeness stems from her own lived experience as well as those she holds dear to her. During her time at Silberman, Lauren interned with the Department of Education where she was able to engage teens in social-emotional learning and use genograms to facilitate youth in building connections to their families of origin. This past year, Lauren cultivated her clinical skills in a Bronx community center where she worked with adolescent and adult survivors of family violence and crime. Before meeting with clients, she engaged in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) training for use in sessions with children who experienced a trauma, accompanied by their supportive caregivers. As a whole, Lauren’s research and clinical curiosity in historical intergenerational trauma and storytelling speaks to her continuous unpacking of both her African American and Afro-Latinx ancestry and the meaning making process of how the lived experiences of those that came before us impact who we are becoming in each present moment. After she graduates, Lauren hopes to tap into her generational awareness, trauma-informed skills, and passion for storytelling to continue to work clinically with individuals, families, and small groups of diverse backgrounds.

Brielle Brook is a Master of Social Work candidate and Palliative Care Fellow at Fordham University’s Fordham/Molloy on-campus program. She holds her BA in History from Vassar College. Brielle is currently completing her specialist year internship at Cohen Children’s Medical Center in the Stem Cell Transplantation & Cellular Therapy unit, providing clinical and practical support to pediatric hematology/oncology patients and their families. Prior to graduate school, Brielle worked with the pediatric oncology population for five years as a year-round staff member at Sunrise Day Camp-Long Island. She looks forward to continuing to serve this population as a clinical social worker.

I am a first-generation MSW graduate with a strong commitment to advancing equity, empowerment, and community healing. As a Senior Case Manager at one of New York City’s largest mental health centers, I lead a department focused on serving marginalized populations with compassion and culturally responsive care. These experiences have inspired me to advocate for underserved communities and work to remove the barriers they face. I’m now working toward clinical licensure so I can keep helping people directly and support long-term change in the system.

I am a first-generation MSW graduate with a strong commitment to advancing equity, empowerment, and community healing. As a Senior Case Manager at one of New York City’s largest mental health centers, I lead a department focused on serving marginalized populations with compassion and culturally responsive care. These experiences have inspired me to advocate for underserved communities and work to remove the barriers they face. I’m now working toward clinical licensure so I can keep helping people directly and support long-term change in the system.

Elizabeth Policano passion for working with individuals and communities from diverse populations while advocating for systemic change is what led Elizabeth to the field of social work. She is in her final semester of pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) at the Silver School of Social Work at New York University. Elizabeth values human connection and honors each individual’s unique journey through life. Elizabeth currently interns at Hudson River Care and Counseling where she provides individual and family counseling to a diverse demographic of clients with a focus in trauma-informed care. While she is passionate about pursuing a career in clinical social work, she equally strives to work in policy upholding her commitment to social justice. As an adaptive leadership fellow, Elizabeth works collaboratively with peers to address adaptive challenges identified through practicum and client interactions to question and confront oppressive practices in the field of social work. As she continues her social work education and journey, Elizabeth continues to find new interests she aims to incorporate into her social work practice. As an adamant animal lover, Elizabeth has been captivated by the human-animal bond and its implications in social work. Through coursework and consultation with passionate professors in the field of veterinarian social work, she feels compelled to advocate for the unique needs of animal welfare and social workers’ role in the field of veterinary medicine. Elizabeth is honored and grateful to be this year’s recipient of the NASW MSW Student of the Year. She recognizes and pledges her commitment to the field of social work as a life-long journey that is ever-changing and growing.

Ainsley Rinkerman is a graduating MSW student at NYU Silver School of Social Work. Through her work in outpatient addiction treatment and DUI education with court-mandated clients, she brings a grounded, trauma-informed approach that blends structure, empathy, and clarity. Ainsley is known for her strong ethical judgment, ability to build trust with clients navigating complex systems, and commitment to client autonomy. She’s especially interested in how clinical care and education can work together to support self-determination and long-term change.

Nazareth University MSW graduate specializing in evidence based practice in mental health

Formerly a management consultant, I’ve now embarked on a 2nd career in Social work.

I am Candice Leon, a dedicated student pursuing a master’s degree in Social Work at Adelphi University. My academic achievements, including maintaining a 3.975 GPA, through both Adelphi’s Masters of Social Work and Arizona State University’s Bachelors of Psychology programs, demonstrate my commitment to excellence and professionalism. During my pursuit of academic achievements, I have been a mother of two amazing young children, a wife to my wonderfully supportive husband, and a private yoga and meditation coach, where I’ve developed strong leadership skills and a passion for finding the eye of the storm and cultivating peace and unconditional compassion amid the chaos that is life. My dedication to learning and making a positive impact makes me thrive in all the roles that make me Candice.

Rachel Zuckerman is a Master’s student at the New York University Silver School of Social Work, graduating in May 2025. During her MSW program, Rachel has completed clinical internships at elementary school P.S. 38 and not-for-profit outpatient mental health clinic Fifth Avenue Therapy. After graduation, Rachel is hoping to continue gaining experience working clinically with children and adults. Prior to pursuing her MSW, Rachel served as the director of executive strategy research at Advisory Board, a healthcare research firm. She holds a BA in English from Princeton University.