For Immediate Release

October 2, 2006 

Two Social Work Students Receive Scholarship Award 

New York, NY – Two students from the Columbia University School of Social Work – Vanessa Bransburg and Maryellen Santiago – have each been awarded $5,000.00 by the Latino Social Work Task Force Scholarship Program.  Launched for the first time this year, the program provides scholarships to Latino men and women residing in the New York metropolitan area who have been accepted or are enrolled in a master’s level program. 

The Latino Social Work Task Force has been working in collaboration with the National Association of Social Workers, NYC Chapter (NASW-NYC) and the Puerto Rican Family Institute, Inc., (PRFI) on the development of the scholarship program. The goal is to increase the number of Latino social workers needed to better respond to the increased demand for linguistically and culturally sensitive services within their community.  Latino individuals can apply for scholarships of up to $5,000, of which $2,500 is paid by the Task Force and the other $2,500 is matched by each participating school.

The program is administered by the National Association of Social Workers-NYC Chapter and the Puerto Rican Family Institute, Inc. For more information, please contact Jeannie Yip at 212-851-2327 or jy2223@columbia.edu.

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About CUSSW (www.socialwork.columbia.edu)

For more than 100 years, the Columbia University School of Social Work has been the leader in practice and policy. Located in New York City, the School offers Master’s and Doctoral programs which are nationally and internationally recognized for their excellence. With a signature curriculum and far-reaching field education experience, CUSSW continues to be at the forefront of clinical practice, public policy, teaching, research and social work innovation in the 21st Century.