Executive Team
Director of Student Leadership and Development
Inclusive TEAMS Program Manager
Michelle Chambers-Rollins joined the UNC–Chapel Hill School of Social Work in the summer of 2024 as a Clinical Assistant Professor and teaching faculty member. She also serves as the Director of Student Development and Leadership and the Program Director for Inclusive TEAMS and the Golden Policy Fellows. She is the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. A Tar Heel through and through, she is honored to pour back into the Carolina community by supporting student development, leadership, and equity-centered practice.
She began her career in child welfare, advocating for children and families impacted by abuse and neglect, and later transitioned into clinical practice as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She specializes in depression, anxiety, traumatic stress, and is also a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS) supporting individuals experiencing substance use challenges.
Dr. Chambers-Rollins is committed to community engagement and advocacy, with a focus on reducing stigma and expanding access to culturally responsive mental health and substance use care. Through workshops, training, and leadership development, she translates community-informed practice into meaningful learning experiences that prepare MSW students to provide identity-affirming, equity-centered services across North Carolina.
Inclusive TEAMS Principal Investigator
Ramona Denby-Brinson, Ph.D., is the Dean of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work and provides visionary leadership for the School’s mission and strategic prioritiesHer academic career to date spans nearly three decades, including leadership roles at The Ohio State University and Arizona State University, as well as academic, research, and administrative roles at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where she served for nearly 20 years and was a co-creator of The Lincy Institute.
Denby-Brinson studies the mental health and well-being of African American children and families, and is recognized as one of the preeminent national experts in culturally adapted child welfare services and a leading scholar in kinship care. She is a licensed social worker and, prior to her academic career, she served children and families in various social service settings, including medical social work, substance use disorders counseling, family counseling, and public guardianship.
Throughout her professional career, Denby-Brinson has demonstrated a commitment to communities through work that not only fosters intellectual discoveries but also builds the capacity of nonprofit and community agencies and organizations to address local and national mental health and child welfare challenges.
Inclusive TEAMS Program Co-Principal Investigator
Sharon Holmes Thomas serves as the Assistant Dean of Recruitment, Admissions, and Financial Aid in the Office of Academic & Student Affairs at the UNC School of Social Work. She is a graduate of the UNC-Chapel Hill MSW program, and returned to the school to serve as a field education advisor and then as director of the School’s Triangle three-year program before assuming her current role.
Prior to joining the faculty at the School, Sharon was the coordinator of the Adolescent Parenting Program for the Orange County Department of Social Services. Sharon’s professional areas of interests include adolescent pregnancy prevention/risk behaviors, interventions with families of color, and global social work education.
Inclusive TEAMS Program Evaluator
Michele Patak-Pietrafesa, MSW, PhD is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at UNC Chapel Hill where she teaches graduate level courses on research and direct practice and community management, policy, and practice. Michele’s work in under-resourced public schools fueled her passion for empowering individuals with intersecting marginalized identities (mainly BIPOC communities and those with dis/abilities) and challenging the systems that perpetuate their oppression. As such, her research focuses on understanding how bias and stereotypes impact teaching practices, decision making, and service provision within youth-serving organizations and how microaggressions by teachers and service providers impact the trajectories of BIPOC youth and youth with disabilities. She has over 12 years of post MSW clinical and macro practice experience across various contexts including community based mental health, school social work, private practice, and research, and has held various leadership roles in state, regional, and national school social work organizations.
Mentors
Mentorship is a key pillar of the Inclusive TEAMS program. Inclusive TEAMS mentors offer essential professional development and career guidance to students throughout their Inclusive TEAMS placement. Mentors and student mentees cultivate a collaborative partnership with clear objectives, offering direction, encouragement, and motivation to help mentees build the confidence needed to achieve their professional aspirations.
Shana Bellone serves as the Associate Director of Student Wellness at Student U in Durham, where they coordinate and facilitate social-emotional and physical health initiatives for youth and families and collaborate with community partners to increase access to health-related resources and services. Shana received an MSW from the University of Texas at Austin and brings over ten years of experience in youth development and after school programming to their direct practice work.
Theresa Flores serves as Founder and Therapist of Floreciendo Therapeutic Services, PLLC and a Clinical Assistant Profressor at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Theresa received her MSW from the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work and launched her private practice in 2022. Floreciendo’s therapeutic practice centers empowerment, anti-oppressive practices, and social justice as a framework. Floreciendo Therapeutic Services, PLLC prioritizes connecting with folks with historically marginalized and systematically oppressed identities, specifically by investing in creating spaces of learning, healing and growth for Black/Indigenous/Persons of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQIA+, and neurodivergent individuals and their families.
Ashley Goodwin serves as Psychotherapist and Owner of Heal, Empower, and Restore Therapy Services, PLLC. Ashley earned her MSW at the University of South Carolina and has since provided direct services to individuals and families in office, school, confinement, community, virtual, and home settings. In her variety of roles, including case manager for children and teens navigating the juvenile justice system, Ashley has worked with clients from multiple racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, religious, and cultural boundaries, as well as with individuals with a variety of gender and sexual identities.
Doug Joiner has been a dedicated advocate for children and families from all economic backgrounds and gender identities during his thirty year career in the mental and behavioral health field. Doug has successfully led programs that prioritize respect and inclusion for youth, including establishing an LGBTQ+ support group in a county residential foster care center. Doug’s commitment to fostering understanding and acceptance is reflected in his extensive volunteer work with organizations focused on youth empowerment and community development.
Crystal Jones is a Manager in the Behavioral Health Case Management department in the Duke University Health System. Crystal has over twelve years of professional experience working in health care settings, community mental health, state operated facilities, and the department of social services. Crystal has served as an advocate and culturally-competent care provider to BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals and families across these settings.
Sherry Mergner is a Clinical Associate Professor and the AHEC Liaison at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Sherry received her MSW from Florida State University in 1987 and has worked in a variety of clinical and educational settings for the past forty years. Over the last sixteen years, Sherry’s clinical work has focused on working with neurodivergent, autistic, and disabled children, teens and adults and their families/caregivers from a wide range of ethnic and racial backgrounds as well as those who identify as LGBTQ+. Sherry co-founded the Substance Use and Addiction Specialist Program at the School of Social Work in 1997. Sherry received the School of Social Work Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award in 2022 and 2024.
Amira “AP” Pankey holds a Master of Social Work from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis. AP has over a decade of experience working with youth, young adults, LGBTQIA+ folks, and communities of color. In their current role as Program Director with Johnson Service Corps, AP supports an intentional community of young adults in growing toward their most authentic and spiritual selves. In their work as a steward of relational remedies, AP creates accessible community spaces that uplift reciprocal healing for all people, with an emphasis on those who hold historically excluded identities.
Advisory Council
The Inclusive TEAMS Advisory Council consists of professionals with expertise in social work, psychiatry, public health and the justice system who have experience working with BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth and families in a variety of settings, including education, research, health care and direct practice service. The Advisory Council will leverage their collective knowledge to shape the strategic direction of the Inclusive TEAMS program. We are deeply grateful to the members of the council for contributing their valuable expertise to equip future Social Work practitioners to effectively address the needs of diverse populations.
Dedrick Battle is a native of Durham, NC where he attended high school and later graduated from North Carolina Central University with a BS in Criminal Justice. After college, Dedrick served as a probation officer for 12 years working in Person County and Wake County in various specialty positions. In 2008, he was named the top Drug Treatment Court Probation Officer in North Carolina. After moving to Oakland, California in 2012, Dedrick worked as a community organizer and technical assistant with LiveFree. This work focused on group violence reduction strategy, a national program that uses evidence-based practice to reduce group related gun violence in some of the nation’s most violent neighborhoods. Additionally, he served with Cityteam Oakland as the Learning Center Coordinator assisting and providing jobs skills training for men who experienced being unhoused and substance use disorder. Dedrick graduated from North Carolina State University in 2018 with a Master of Social Work. Following graduation, he worked as a Community Support Team clinician at Carolina Outreach before serving in his current role as the Alliance Health Adult Court Liaison. Dedrick is known professionally and personally for his compassion, commitment to restorative justice, and advocacy for the human rights of all people. He is guided by his faith and is deeply committed to his wife, Donna, and children, Caio, Coletrane and Calum. In his spare time, Dedrick enjoys cycling, spending time with family, traveling and attending live music and sporting events.
As a social work professional working with members of the community who are involved with the judicial system, it is important to have a lens focused on their lived experiences. In many cases, this includes being identified as a historically vulnerable and marginalized population as well as surviving traumatic histories. The intersection of individuals who live lives in these groups to include LGBTQIA +, BIPOC and people living with the experience of being judicially involved creates historic barriers to many of the everyday needs we deserve as human beings. I believe, being a part of the UNC-CH Inclusive TEAMS can help shape practices that can help lower barriers to everyday necessities and engage with systems that allow new social workers to prepare to address the needs of these individuals. Additionally, creating a learning environment that trains new social workers to be culturally competent as well as enhancing their practice of advocacy is an important skillset. It is my hope that being a member of this council will grant these opportunities of learning, growth and so much more. Lastly, it would be a tremendous honor to work alongside my fellow colleagues in the discipline of social work to offer this incredible experience.
Dr. Kim S. Downing earned her Ph.D. in Social Work from Norfolk State University in 2007. She furthered her education and received a Graduate Certificate in Leadership Development from The George Washington University in 2009. In November 2012, she graduated from the prestigious Bridges Academic Leadership Program for women in higher education in the UNC system. Dr. Downing is employed at Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) as a Professor and Director of the Bachelor of Social Work program. She was the recipient of the 2024 UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching representing ECSU. Additionally, she was selected as Departmental Teacher of the Year for 2020 – 2021 & 2013 – 2014 academic years. Dr. Downing has served ECSU for 16 years in several leadership capacities including: the Chair of the University Curriculum Committee; Director of Summer School; Faculty Senate Executive Committee; and Chair of the Quality Enhance Plan (QEP). Dr. Downing has been a member of the Board of Accreditation for the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) since 2020. She has also served on other local, state, and professional boards/committees. Dr. Downing has amassed over 35 years of experience as a social worker. She was licensed in Virginia as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in 2000 and joined the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) in 1988. She has authored several publications and presented at professional conferences. Her research interests include Women’s Issues with special emphasis on African American Women and Poverty; Self-Care; Childhood Obesity; Rural Social Work Practice; and Problem Gambling on College Campuses.
Dr. Downing believes that becoming a part of the Inclusive TEAMS Advisory Council will afford her the opportunity to partner with other professionals to share their expertise and knowledge to help train and guide social work students. This council will focus on initiatives/programs for preparing future Social Work practitioners. As an educator, Dr. Downing is especially invested in the training of Social Work students and contributing to the development of future clinicians, who are proficient in their capacity to engage the needs of diverse populations.
Dr. Hunt-Harrison has had a diverse career experience over the past two decades. She has provided direct patient care in both outpatient and inpatient settings, served on clinical research teams, worked as a peer advisor in the public mental health sector, and led as coordinator for medical students and psychiatric trainees on the child adolescent unit at a state psychiatric hospital. She is Board Certified in both General Psychiatry and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Her clinical work is primarily focused on psychiatric assessments and treatment of children and adolescents with a variety of treatment needs.
As Vice Chair for Mental Health Equity and Community Engagement for the UNC Department of Psychiatry, she strives to improve patient access to and engagement in quality mental health assessments and treatment. She works collaboratively with various departments and disciplines within UNC and with community stakeholders to identify barriers/deficits, identify and implement solutions, and provide ongoing assessment of progress/needs.
I have been working with families with children with disabilities for 8 years. I came to the UNC MSW program with an aim to become better prepared to help these families mitigate the systemic barriers they face. I am passionate about working with Spanish speaking parents to access the most resources possible for their children. I am currently a full time nanny for a local family.
I want to be a part of the Advisory Council because I think that the best way to make a difference is to work together and support/uplift each other.
Sarah Rosenquest has provided direct patient care in both outpatient, crisis, and inpatient settings. She has served in interdisciplinary teams, collaborated to create programs, and has a history of collaborating with interns and supervisees of various disciplines. She is both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. Her history of work in mental health varies from groups to individual and assessments to intervention. She runs the Acute Child Adolescent Therapy (ACAT) service in the UNC Emergency Department Psychiatric Emergency Service (PES) focused on Brief solution focused therapy and treatment of children, adolescents, and their families with a variety of therapeutic treatment needs. Sarah is enthusiastic about providing effective efficient psychotherapy services using holistic supportive trauma informed care to tailor to each individual’s mental, physical, emotional, spiritual, and energetic needs.
Sarah states that she is excited to be part of the Inclusive TEAMS advisory council because it is so important to expand and nourish a culturally responsive behavioral health workforce. As the behavioral health needs grow and our providers are overburdened, this increases the risk of burnout. The social work field has a history of being culturally irresponsible and it is at risk of returning to culturally insensitive practices. It also takes time, energy, and commitment to create change that is needed to repair past and ongoing damages. An essential preventative measure is to expand the field and support healthy habits in social work providers.
Hi my name is Jamillae “J” Stockett. I use she/her pronouns. I am the Director of the LGBTQ Center at UNC Chapel Hill. I was onboarded with UNC in the fall of 2022. I am so proud to be given the opportunity to become a part of the rich history and legacy of the LGBTQ Center here on UNC’s Campus. I am originally from the Midwest, my family relocated to North Carolina in the late 90’s and I fell in love with the people, culture, and history, and I have been here ever since. I obtained my MPH in Public Health, and I hope to one day start a non-profit to help rebuild, restore, revitalize and strengthen local communities. I have over eight years’ experience in the fields of community programming and Public Health. Before coming to UNC, I previously worked with programs for marginalized and underserved communities in North Carolina at the local, city, and state level. I have a passion for people and communities. If you are reading this article and you or your organization/department have previously partnered with the LGBTQ Center on events, programs, or training, thank you for your support and let’s stay connected for future partnerships, If you have not yet partnered or collaborated with the LGBTQ Center and would like to explore future partnerships and collaborations call or email me, I look forward to meeting and talking with you!
I truly subscribe to the belief that any company, organization, and workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion will not only attract and retain top employee talent, but they will also improve productivity and performance. Being a member of an inclusive advisory council will assist me professionally and personally in broadening and strengthening my leadership skills, performance goals, and student/staff engagement. Inclusivity allows a wider perspective for how we support and impact student success. Everyone brings their own lived experiences to the “table,” whether it’s a black person, white person, gay person, or veteran… and each person brings a different approach and perspective because of the lens of life and experiences they have gone through. I think a council that values each person’s life experiences and perspectives opens itself to innovate and creative ideas and solutions. I am excited at the opportunity to assess challenging topics together with a diverse group of people and I think the Inclusive TEAMS advisory council would present such an incredible opportunity to connect, learn, and build.
Cohorts
I’m Linda Fallon (she/her) and I was an Inclusive TEAMS scholar during the 2023-2024 academic year. My practicum placement was at Therapeutic Partners PLLC, and I was pleased to be able to offer pro bono services to individuals who might not otherwise have access to mental healthcare and support. I was excited to be given the opportunity to apply to Inclusive TEAMS because the mission of the program aligned with my interests of future practice as a social worker. While the classes and projects at UNC SSW focus on a variety of populations, Inclusive TEAMS provided a space for me to focus on the complexities of working with LGBTQIA+ adolescents and families. My meetings with my Inclusive TEAMS mentor allowed me to discuss how to individually support each one of my clients through an empowerment model, while also being mindful of the current oppositional political climate and barriers that they face as they explore their identities. Additionally, I really enjoyed the Inclusive TEAMS trainings that were unique to the program’s mission, such as Reel Talk, which focused on a non-traditional outreach approach with BIPOC youth.
I have been working with families with children with disabilities for 8 years. I came to the UNC MSW program with an aim to become better prepared to help these families mitigate the systemic barriers they face. I am passionate about working with Spanish speaking parents to access the most resources possible for their children. I am currently a full time nanny for a local family.
I was placed in Hematology/Oncology at Brenner Children’s hospital for my social work 3rd year practicum. I also worked on the general pediatric floor with the care coordination team. The year before, I was working with adult cancer patients at the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist. I was most excited about serving different individuals with various backgrounds and providing person centered care during a patient’s cancer trajectory. I was able to directly serve patients and their families who were undergoing cancer treatments or who had experienced trauma or sickness. I enjoyed coming to my placement during the week and not knowing what the day may bring. The fast paced nature of the job drew me to this work. I applied to inclusive teams because I wanted to help underserved communities and create change in the healthcare system, where many of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals are insufficiently served and aren’t receiving adequate health care. I enjoyed working with foundations, community partners, and creating local change within my practicum organization. I am now working in hospice care to jump start my career as a Medical Social Worker. I am able to continue to serve patients at end of life and I am continuing to provide support that focuses on a persons quality of life and being present with families during the a vulnerable time in their lives. Being able to be a part of someone’s last moments is a privilege and an honor that I believe god gave me the opportunity to do. Working in hospice is truly a calling. I am immensely grateful for Inclusive Teams expanding my knowledge and allowing me to work with communities outside of my own. I’m excited to begin my journey in my career.
During my specialization year, my practicum placement was with Obsidian Care Collective. The psychotherapists at Obsidian are specialists in trauma treatment and incorporate the intersections of various identities including LGBTQ+ and neurodiversity. Since the foundations of diagnosis and treatment are based on s studies that do not fully account for a wide range of diverse identities, I benefited greatly from having mentors with this expertise and the Inclusive TEAMS classes that were part of the program. What inspired me to apply for Inclusive TEAMS is that I wanted to focus on and grow my understanding and experience to better serve marginalized populations to help strengthen the resiliency of individuals and communities.
Hello! My name is Lauren Bryant, and I am a Adv. Standing MSW student that is currently placed at Simply Teens-an IOP/Individual Therapy Center for Teens/Adolescents. I look forward to continuing the process of learning/implementing therapeutic frameworks into my work with individuals and groups. Additionally, I hope to further enhance my abilities to support and advocate for the LBGTQIA+ clients that we primarily serve. What stood out the most to me about the Inclusive TEAMS program, is their holistic approach to helping students with an interest in marginalized populations through a variety of means, including within our coursework, internships, and from workshops/trainings. The abundance of tools, resources, and support that the I-TEAM program offers (along with being part of a co-hort of like-minded peers), had drawn me to the program. I look forward to a great school year with Inclusive TEAMS!
Hey my name is Patrick Clifford. My Inclusive TEAMS practicum placement is “The Nia Project”. Having been a part of the Nia Project during my undergraduate studies, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to build on that experience in a more extended and impactful role during my practicum placement. I am passionate about working with marginalized communities, particularly the BIPOC community, and I’ve consistently been an ally to the LGBTQ+ community. I’m eager to expand my knowledge and find new ways to support the communities I care about and advocate for.
My name is Emma DeMartino and my practicum placement this year is with Hope Services in Raleigh, NC. What excites me the most about being at this placement is being able to do direct practice work with BIPOC youth and families. As soon as I chose this field, I knew I wanted to work with the Latine population and utilize culturally informed treatment. I applied to Inclusive TEAMS to further my mission of aiding Latine mental health in NC. This program will further my knowledge of how to best address the needs of BIPOC individuals, whether that is learning about cultural values, history, or past and current political issues.
My name is Lauryn Ewing, and I am an Advanced Standing Master’s student at UNC Chapel Hill. I received my BSW from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University in May 2024. My summer 2024 practicum placement was with Durham Head Start, where I worked in their wellness and inclusion department, assisting BIPOC families with referrals for their children’s developmental needs. I loved the hands-on observation with families and witnessing their children exceed our goals. My fall and spring practicum will be with Durham Nativity School, working with BIPOC boys in 5th-8th grade as they develop into strong leaders and scholars in their community. I am most excited about learning the school’s history and understanding how the students can leave a legacy that aligns with their dreams and goals. I was inspired to apply to I-Teams to be part of a group of emerging professional social workers dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youth who are often overlooked, marginalized, and oppressed by a larger system. I believe I can be a positive influence in their lives, advocating for their voices to be heard.
Hey everyone! My name is Justis Mitchell, and I am entering into my 4th year of the dual MDiv/MSW dual degree program through Duke Divinity and the UNC School of Social Work. My practicum placement for this program is working with Trinitas Counseling services in Chapel Hill. I am most excited to get plugged in with my clients and begin creating spaces where we can journey together in the therapeutic process. I was drawn to Inclusive TEAMS because I believe wholeheartedly that I was created to be the safe and meaningful presence that was never offered to me in my own upbringing. My own experiences of harm and trauma as a queer youth in the South are what drive me to be a part of the work Inclusive TEAMS is doing.
My name is Sung Min Moy. My practicum placement is at UNC TEACCH which works exclusively with individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their caregivers. I have an Autistic son, and I am planning to become a therapist for this population. I am particularly interested in providing care for individuals and families of color and from non-U.S. cultural backgrounds. I am excited that TEACCH will provide that opportunity to be with individuals and families of all backgrounds and allow me to learn to be a better therapist for this population. I applied for Inclusive TEAMS because this program fits my values and objectives for the future. Inclusive TEAMS offers me a pathway to grow in learning more about adolescents of color and focus on family work which is a strong interest.
Hello all, my name is Emily Myers and I am a final year MSW student in the 3-year part-time program. I am currently placed at Neurodiversity Empowerment Services and also working with Sherry Mergner on AHEC Training Development. I am thrilled for my placement this year where I am most excited to co-lead a DBT group for neurodivergent individuals. I was inspired to apply for Inclusive TEAMS when I saw the opportunities that come with the program. I am particularly interested in working with LGBTQ+ adolescents and Inclusive TEAMS offers opportunities that allow and encourage me to pursue this passion.
I am excited about my placement at The Wright School because I will get to work and connect with children in a therapeutic capacity. I am impressed by the structure of the Wright school and all the wraparound services that they offer to the children in residence, and I’m excited to be a part of it this year! I applied for I-Teams because I am really passionate about identity affirmation especially in youth and adolescent years. I hope to foster safe environments for children to explore who they are and to feel affirmed in their individuality and uniqueness!
Being given the opportunity to work with BIPOC children and families through direct practice and mezzo-level family programming. Student U is an exciting placement that has grown quickly since its inception, and I hope to become an asset for the students and families there. I saw Inclusive TEAMS as an opportunity to become the person I wish I could turn to during my own youth. I firmly believe that the Inclusive TEAMS’s vision and goals align with my values professionally and personally. I feel as though my worldview will only grow more profound as I hope to become the person I know I can be for myself, and for others.
Hi! I’m Juliana Schiano, but most people call me Jules! I am a rising second-year in UNC’s full-time MSW program and am originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. My upcoming practicum placement is with Simply Teens Outpatient, which offers Intensive Outpatient Programs and Day Treatment for adolescents and teens. I am particularly excited to learn a variety of different therapeutic approaches in which Simply Teens offers, such as Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Safe and Sound Protocol, Poly Vagal Support, and Art Therapy. I am also looking forward to engaging with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ populations; as a Queer person myself, I am passionate about working alongside youth to advocate for themselves as they navigate adolescence. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Inclusive TEAMS program, as it provides me with the community and resources to learn and grow into the culturally responsive clinician I hope to be.
Hi there, my name is Lauren Wallace. For my Inclusive TEAMS practicum placement, I will be working this year at a psychotherapy practice called Neurodiversity Empowerment Services. The practice aims to support the well-being of individuals who identify as neurodivergent and the family members of neurodivergent individuals. I am excited to work with neurodivergent, BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ identifying adolescents this year and apply knowledge from my clinical course work. The practicum placement will be a great opportunity to learn how to cultivate a nurturing environment for self-growth and healing. I was inspired to apply for Inclusive TEAMS because it is important to me to gain more experience working with BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ youth because it is a personal and professional goal of mine to improve equitable access to mental health services as a future psychotherapist. BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+ youth are two groups that are the most marginalized by society and continue to be excluded from mental healthcare access among other social services. This fellowship provides a unique opportunity for me to build upon my previous academic, professional, and personal experiences in preparation for creating change in my community as a social worker.
Hi! My name is Chaniya Williams and I’m from Oxford, NC. I will be doing my Inclusive TEAMS Placement at Vance County Schools. I am excited about this placement because I enjoy working with youth and adolescents in educational settings. I am eager to meet students where they are and foster a safe environment. I was inspired to apply for Inclusive TEAMS because of the mission and its alignment with my goals of becoming a school social worker. Now more than ever, it is crucial to have professionals advocating for the needs of youth of color and LGBTQ+ youth.
Hi! My name is Anita (she/her), and I am a 3-year MSW student at the UNC School of Social Work and a member of the 2025–2026 Inclusive TEAMS cohort. My path into social work has been shaped by a multidisciplinary journey through law, neuroscience, and clinical research – experiences that sparked and deepened my commitment to expanding equitable behavioral health care for children and families across North Carolina. My current placement is with the UNC Child and Family Guidance Program. I am drawn to play therapy, psychodynamic approaches, and culturally responsive care for immigrant and BIPOC youth. I am also a registered yoga teacher, and my background in mindfulness and mind–body practices informs the way I show up in the therapy room. I believe that healing is relational and embodied, and I strive to create therapeutic spaces where safety, curiosity, and empowerment guide the work.
My name is Mia Mackie and I am a second-year student in the full time, two-year program. My practicum placement is with Beacon at UNC Hospitals. I provide crisis support to patients experiencing intimate partner violence, abuse, and/or neglect by offering emotional support and connecting them to essential resources. What I value most about my practicum is the direct practice experience of connecting with patients, advocating for their needs, and serving as a compassionate, attentive listener during vulnerable moments. Inclusive TEAMS allows me to offer culturally responsive care that tailors to the specific needs of patients which is vital within the healthcare system. I’m grateful for the opportunity to receive specialized training, professional development, and mentor support to shape me into becoming a social worker that embodies cultural humility and equity.
Hello! My name is Brianna Dowds and I am an Advanced Standing MSW student at UNC: Chapel Hill. I graduated with my BSW from Appalachian State and immediately began in my role as a Children’s Program Coordinator, working with children and families escaping domestic violence. Preceding this, I continued my work with kids as a Registered Behavior Technician, supporting young children with Autism in navigating the world around them. I am currently completing my MSW internships at Central Elementary School and with Student U Durham, a non-profit dedicated to empowering BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and marginalized children and adolescents, building strong leaders and first-generation college students. Through creating and facilitating individualized psychotherapy sessions, as well as co-leading both elementary-aged support groups and teen/adolescent treatment groups, I have been given invaluable opportunities to transform my practice as a clinical social worker. The Inclusive TEAMS program has provided me with an opportunity to truly embark on my passions within social work and has completely supported me along the way.
Hi! My name is Iris Greenspun, and I am in my final year of the three-year extended MSW program. My practicum placement is at Duke Law School, where I work across the Children’s Law Clinic, Immigrant Rights Clinic, and Health Justice Clinic. In this setting, I engage in trauma-informed practice that bridges direct care and systems-level thinking, moving intentionally between individual experiences and the broader structures that shape them while working with clients and law students. I was drawn to Inclusive TEAMS because of its commitment to culturally responsive care and its focus on how positionality, lived experience, and historical context shape practice. I am especially interested in addressing disparities affecting BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities and believe Inclusive TEAMS supports work that moves beyond meeting essential needs toward cultivating environments where people can thrive.
Hey there! My name is Jay Joyner and I am a 3 year MSW Student in my final year. My practicum placement this year is with Duke’s Child and Adolescent Gender Clinic, where I work with transgender and gender diverse youth providing resources, crisis support, and counseling services. The most exciting part of this placement is the interaction with patients and their families and seeing their joy and hope when connecting them with resources and services that are gender-affirming. When considering what career path I wanted, I chose Social Work because I recognized the need for more gender-affirming health care and mental health care for transgender and gender diverse populations in the South. As someone who is part of that community, I want to contribute to whole-person care that is gender-affirming and culturally informed, which led me to apply to Inclusive TEAMS. Working with BIPOC transgender and gender diverse youth has been a transformative experience as policy shifts and support needs change. This opportunity to be a part of Inclusive TEAMS aligns with my goals to support gender-diverse BIPOC populations in under-resources communities in my career.
Hey! I’m Izzy, and I graduated in 2025 from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where I earned my BSW with a minor in psychology. I’m passionate about working with young adults and communities who are often underserved, especially LGBTQIA+ youth and young adults as well individuals who have experienced trauma. In my years of schooling I have had the opportunity to work in nonprofit, legal, and community-based settings, including NC Shield, the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Good Shepherd center, and others. This year I am at Second Bloom where I help to support survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault through counseling groups, case management, and court advocacy. I am committed to culturally responsive, trauma-informed care and creating affirming spaces where people feel seen, safe, and supported. I am grateful for all the opportunities UNC has given me, particularly through I teams!
My name is Caroline Sherer and I am a final-year MSW student in the two-year program. I grew up outside of Raleigh and received my B.A. in Human Services & Social Justice from George Washington University in 2024. My practicum placement is at McDougle Elementary School in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. I am excited about schools as a setting to reach children in their day-to-day life, particularly those who may not have access to mental health services outside of school. I am passionate about engaging in anti-oppressive, trauma-informed mental health care for children of diverse backgrounds and identities. After I graduate, I hope to gain more specialized training in working with young children with complex trauma and utilize play therapy, attachment theory, polyvagal theory, and ecological systems theory.
I am a community-engaged professional with over ten years of experience working with the Latine community, with a strong focus on language justice, access, and equity. I believe language should never be a barrier to opportunity, dignity, or belonging. Most recently, I have worked with Student U, a local nonprofit organization in Durham that serves Black and Latine youth and their families. In this role, I support caregivers by helping them navigate systems, access resources, and build skills to support their children’s success. I care deeply about connecting families with culturally responsive tools so they can pursue their dreams with confidence
Hello! My name is Julia Hubbard, and I am currently placed at Student U in Durham. My role includes conducting one-on-one counseling, leading social-emotional learning groups, and communicating with Spanish-speaking parents and community members. My passion lies in working with children and families, and I hope to pursue a career in a public school or nonprofit setting upon graduation. I was drawn to become a part of Inclusive TEAMS because my professional goals align with ITEAMS’ mission of advocacy, service, and empowerment for marginalized youth and families.
My name is Kaviya David! I am a dual degree MSW/MPH student, on the Direct Practice track in Social Work and in the Health Equity and Social Justice concentration in Public Health. My interests are mainly in community-based mental health interventions and working with LGBTQ+ BIPOC individuals with severe and persistent mental illnesses, specifically psychosis and schizophrenia. My dream is to work in a setting that prioritizes community and collaboration because I believe that healing cannot and should not happen in isolation. I believe that the Inclusive Teams Program will help me be a social worker who can address disparities and serve these populations on an individual and community level to promote radical and holistic healing. A fun fact about me is that I lived in Chennai, India as a teenager and consider it to be one of my homes!
I’m Mariana Gonzalez, a 2nd year Master’s student at UNC School of Social Work. My practicum placement is at the Butterfly Family Center, LLC, where I provide little to no cost therapy in their Open Wings program, supporting low-income families. I center my approach in trauma-informed, anti-oppressive, and resiliency frameworks. I have a large interest in working with multicultural and LGBTQ+ youth, young adults, and their families, which made Inclusive TEAMS the perfect program for me! Through ITEAMS, I hope to strengthen my ability to foster wellbeing, belonging, and collaboration across the populations I serve.
Hi! My name is Emily, and I am a second-year student in the two-year MSW program
at UNC. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina, where I
studied Experimental Psychology and Religious Studies. My practicum placement is at Essential Counseling and Therapeutic Services, where I work with neurodivergent adolescents and adults, as well as LGBTQIA+ individuals. I am especially passionate about supporting people as they navigate identity development and come to understand, accept, and embrace their most authentic selves. I find particular meaning in working with LGBTQIA+ youth and emerging adults as they explore their identities and build a sense of belonging and self-acceptance. I joined Inclusive TEAMS to deepen my knowledge and skills in working with LGBTQIA+ youth and emerging adults and to learn how to provide care that is affirming, culturally responsive, and grounded in each person’s unique experiences. I hope to create spaces where people feel safe exploring who they are and feel seen and supported.
Hi! My name is Emma Hayes and I am in my second year of the 2-year MSW program at the UNC School of Social Work. I was interested in Inclusive TEAMS because it seeks to prepare practitioners to be culturally responsive in their work and inclusive of diverse identities. I am completing my practicum at Student U, a community-based organization that serves cohorts of middle and high school students in Durham Public Schools, providing a comprehensive after-school program, including counseling services. I am passionate about access to quality education and look forward to contributing to their work. I plan to bring a self-reflective, anti-oppressive lens to my work, empowering students to become their best self.
My name is Raquel Hernandez, and I am a second-year student in UNC’s two-year Master of
Social Work program. My practicum placement is with the Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) within the UNC Department of Psychiatry. In this setting, I work with adolescents and young adults receiving virtual mental health services through a structured, six-week treatment program. My experience includes facilitating group therapy and engaging in interventions grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I have also been able to observe other LCSWs during clinical assessments and treatment planning. I am very passionate about creating an affirming and supportive therapeutic environment where our youth feel empowered to explore their identities, heal from trauma, develop healthy coping skills, and access the resources they need to navigate the complexities of their lives. ThroughInclusive TEAMS, I hope to deepen my understanding of culturally responsive and anti-oppressive care. After graduation, I will be working toward becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with the intention of providing outpatient therapy to children and adolescents from historically marginalized communities, with a particular interest in serving Latine youth and families.
Hello! My name is Ashley Jimenez-Castillo and I am an advanced standing MSW student. My practicum placement is at Student U in Durham where I have the opportunity to work with students through individual counseling sessions, facilitating social-emotional learning groups, family resource connections, and efforts to promote equitable access. I am passionate about working with youth and families and utilizing language as a resource for connection and empowerment. I was drawn to Inclusive TEAMS because of the opportunities it provides to learn from diverse perspectives and strengthen my ability to create inclusive spaces while developing as a culturally competent social worker. I hope to continue supporting students and families in school communities while helping build environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and valued.
Hello! My name is Laureana Paparella, and I am a current 2-year MSW student at the UNC School of Social Work. I am currently placed at WakeMed Hospitals in the Mental Health & Wellbeing unit. My current interests are trauma-informed care in the mental health field, specifically with adolescents and their families. I wanted to join the ITEAMS program to further my knowledge in BIPOC and LGBTQ+ adolescents and to enhance my toolbox of skills to assist in building this population up! I am excited to build connections with peers and mentors who are passionate about ITEAMS and helping out the community.
Hello! My name is Savannah Robinson, and I am a second-year student in the two-year MSW program. My practicum placement is at NC Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, where I will provide mental health counseling for a diverse client base, with a focus on access to care, trauma-informed practice, and underserved populations. My previous work has focused on increasing access to health care for low-income, immigrant, and underinsured communities, which I am excited to build on in the therapy field. I also support research for the Richardson Wellness Lab, which focuses on suicide prevention resources for Black youth. After graduation, I hope to use the skills I build from ITEAMS to work in equitable and culturally responsive mental health care for adolescents and adults.
Hey everyone! My name is Kyra Turner, and I graduated from UNC Charlotte in May with my Bachelor of Social Work. I am currently pursuing my MSW through the Advanced Standing Program at UNC Chapel Hill. My professional interests include working with children, adolescents, and families, with a particular interest in the foster care population. I am completing my practicum with Family Service of the Piedmont, where I work alongside child therapists to provide outpatient mental health services to children and adolescents. I joined the Inclusive Teams Program because of its focus on professional development and supporting social workers throughout their careers. I hope to gain valuable insight, strengthen my skills, and learn from the diverse perspectives of my cohort members.
Hi! My name is Ima Varghese Mac (she/her), and I am in my third and final year of the dual MSW/MPH program. I am originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and received my undergraduate degree from Earlham College, where I studied human development and social relations. I am passionate about addressing disparities in physical and mental well-being and ensuring that BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth experience respectful care. I was drawn to Inclusive TEAMS for its equity-focused values and the opportunity to receive training that will help me be the best clinician I can be. I am most looking forward to learning key approaches to culturally responsive care from my peers, the leadership team, and mentors. In my free time, I enjoy playing guitar and spending time outdoors.
Hello! I’m Luisa Cedeno Perez, and I’m currently in the Advanced Standing MSW Program! I’m passionate about advancing equity in education and mental health. This summer, I interned with Juntos, and I’m now completing my placement at RISE Charter School. After earning my MSW, I plan to pursue school social work licensure and my LCSWA. I hope to become a culturally responsive social worker and help bridge gaps in access to quality mental health care for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ youth and families, aligning with the mission of this program. I look forward to building a community with scholars, staff, and partners and continuing to stay connected and work together toward our shared mission even after graduation.
Fun Fact: I was born and raised in Ecuador!
Rebekah Foster is in her second and final year of the MSW program here at Carolina. She is a Clinical Intern at Obsidian Care Collective, where she is providing individual and couples psychotherapy through their Equitable Care clinic. She’s interested in how to support people through death, dying and bereavement and was grateful to hone these skills in a practicum placement at Bluestem Conservation Cemetery last year. She’s drawn to work with LGBTQ+ and BIPOC individuals because she believes that all people deserve accessible therapeutic support and growth. She joined Inclusive TEAMS for the mentorship and specialized training that will help her grow into a skilled clinician and looks forward to learning alongside peers who share her commitment to equity. Outside of school, she loves cooking, gardening, and spending time with her orange cat, Benny.
My affinity for Social Work was nurtured during my undergraduate studies in Psychology and Human Development & Family Science, where I critically examined how individual well-being intersects with the socio-political structures that govern access, equity, and safety. At my practicum placement with the Butterfly Family Center, I provide therapy to primarily Latine and African American children and adolescents, while also connecting families to vital community resources to address holistic needs. Through Inclusive TEAMS, I look forward to not only discussing anti-oppressive social work practice, but actively learning how to embody this core ethic particularly when working alongside BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Marginalized people’s experience of chronic trauma due to discrimination and disenfranchisement remains under-recognized, so specialized training will better enable me to clinically support and advocate for historically oppressed communities. I’m excited for the enriching opportunities provided in this fellowship, especially as I seek to grow my capacity to be culturally responsive, supportive of people’s whole selves, thoughtful in my systems-thinking, and self-reflective.
Hello! I am in my final year of the MSW/MPH program. I grew up in Chapel Hill and attended UNC-CH for undergrad, so in a way I am a triple Tar Heel! My practicum placement is at Student U, an incredible organization holistically supporting Durham middle and high schoolers. I provide counseling, lead groups, and plug in wherever else is needed.
I am passionate about supporting BIPOC communities through culturally-grounded adolescent mental health, both through counseling and community advocacy. By learning community-based participatory research in my PH program and therapy skills in my SW program, I hope to have multiple tools to support young folks navigate development and life challenges in values-aligned and culturally meaningful ways.
After graduation, I plan on deepening my roots in Durham and starting my licensing journey!
My name is Monica Avila Aguilar, and I am an Advanced Standing MSW student at UNC-Chapel Hill, concentrating in direct clinical practice. My practicum placement is at The Well Mental and Spiritual Care. My areas of interest are trauma-informed and anti-oppressive mental health care for children and families from diverse backgrounds. I hope to create spaces where clients feel their lived experiences are seen, heard, and honored. I truly believe there is power in finding the words to tell our own stories while having someone witness them. Through ITEAMS, I hope to deepen my understanding of how identity, culture, family, and systems shape a person’s experiences. I also hope to strengthen my ability to provide collaborative, accessible, and affirming care. Outside of social work, I enjoy volunteering within my community, Pilates, hiking, paddleboarding, trying new restaurants, and visiting family and friends on the West Coast.
My name is Ugochi Alozie, and I am a second-year student in the full-time, two-year program. Through my previous roles working directly with children and families, I have gained experience supporting youth from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds while remaining attentive to the systemic barriers that impact their access to care and resources. I am interested in early intervention services and aim to deepen my experience navigating these systems in North Carolina and supporting families during these critical developmental periods. My professional interests also include play therapy and culturally responsive care for children of color with developmental disabilities. I’m currently placed with the Carolina Institute of Neurodevelopmental Disabilities at UNC for my practicum. There, I provide therapeutic support and resources to individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families. Participating in Inclusive Teams helps me better understand how to adapt therapeutic interventions to honor the identities, lived experiences, and cultural strengths of children of color and their families.