Christus Powell Fellowship
Congratulations to our 2023 winner, Deidree McVane!
On behalf of GAMFT and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, we would like to congratulate Deidree McVane for being selected as the recipient of the 2023 Christus Powell Minority Fellowship.
Deidree is passionate about supporting her community and reducing stigma around mental health which is evident in both her personal experience and time serving in the United States Armed Forces. The committee was impressed by Deidree’s dedication to expanding access to early intervention and treatment for underserved communities and communities of color by integrating mental health services in her local schools.
About the fellowship…
The Christus Powell Fellowship Program is awarded annually to one student. The awardee will receive a stipend of $1000, a one-year student membership to AAMFT and GAMFT, and free admittance to the GAMFT Annual Spring Symposium and Annual Armour Family Therapy Lecture Series. The awardee will also receive mentorship from members of GAMFT leadership and the opportunity to join a GAMFT committee that reflects their MFT career goals and areas of interest. Not only is this an excellent way to network with other professionals, but the fellowship also provides an opportunity for the awardee to give back to the Georgia community and nurture a sense of belonging, purpose, and growth.
This scholarship serves to promote the importance of diversity within the MFT field and by supporting the next generation of MFTs. Applicants must be Georgia residents and a member of a minority or underrepresented community, including, but not limited to, African-American, Hispanic or Latinx, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian-American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and/or within the LGTBQ+ community, a religious minority, or identify as person with disabilities. Applicants must show promise in and commitment to a career in marriage and family therapy education, research, or practice. An applicant’s promise to the field of MFT may be demonstrated by, but not limited to: academic performance, membership in GAMFT, work experience, and/or future goals pertaining to their role as a MFT within the community.
Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents and a Georgia resident.
- A current student at a university or four-year college within the state of Georgia OR currently enrolled in a MFT graduate/post-graduate training program, or a graduating university senior who has been accepted by a graduate MFT degree program and will begin classes within the next calendar year.
- Enrolled as a Full-Time student in a MFT program
- From a diverse or underrepresented background, such as but not limited to: Black/African American,American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Asian American, Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Latino/a, or Spanish origin, LGBTQ+, bi/multilingual, first-generation immigrants, religious minorities, and/or people with disabilities.
- Available to accept their award at the GAMFT Spring Conference on May 20th, 2023 in Atlanta, GA.
- Willing to sign a letter of commitment attesting that they will provide service to the GAMFT board and/or the GAMFT mentorship program. This service can occur during the year the award is received or the following year. For example, fellows may serve as a member to one of the GAMFT board committees or become a mentor for MFT graduate students or graduates pursuing licensure.
