MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Northern Michigan University received over $90,000 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to help students pursuing a masters degree in social work.
The university will be awarding three students a $30,000 stipend towards their degree who have committed to work in the state of Michigan upon graduation.
“It’s important because the U.P., in particular, needs qualified mental health professionals,” said Dr. LaMart Hightower, the head of the Department of Social Work. “Our program is designed to provide that for the community.”
The social work program is seeking to increase the number of bachelors to masters degree social workers in behavioral health throughout the state. The program provides a one-time stipend to bachelor degree level social work degree holders who commit to the advanced level master’s program and who contribute a minimum two-years to the state in behavioral health upon graduation.
For Halle Sullins, she already wanted to be a social worker before attending NMU, and the grant will help her achieve her goals.
“I was already inspired to be a social worker, I had influence from my school social worker who helped me immensely,” said Sullins. “I’ve been so heavily inspired and influenced by those people that helped me, and I wanted to be the person that I needed growing up.”
The university is hoping that the grant will alleviate some financial concerns students may have, and potentially attract more people in the future.
“This is a lot of money to a student,” says April Heckman, a recipient of the stipend. “It will have a huge impact on me going out and helping people for two years, maybe even longer.”
“Other students who are interested in providing these services would be willing go through the program,” said Dr. Hightower. “Particularly if they’re given some financial assistance.”
NMU was the first program within the state to have an accredited social work program. The first master’s program cohort in 2019 had 21 students, and this fall there will be an incoming 75 students, the largest in it’s history.
