Chesterville resident awarded scholarship

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Karen Haley of Chesterville, Maine, was awarded a full-tuition scholarship towards a doctorate in social work from Walden University for demonstrating a proven commitment to helping the underserved in her community.

Haley, a recipient of the Barbara Solomon full-tuition scholarship for social work, is a high school clinical social worker at Regional School Unit 73. She also serves as a liaison for homeless youth and families in a rural region of the state. Haley plans to use her degree to continue ensuring that children whose families are experiencing homelessness do not also experience disruption in their education as a result.

Her doctoral degree will also allow her to teach courses at a local college. She believes it is imperative to educate new social workers on a community level to help them gain an understanding of the socioeconomic struggles that many families in her area of the country face.

Walden University awarded six Barbara Solomon Scholarships for social work to outstanding students who demonstrate a proven commitment to helping the underserved. Named to honor social work pioneer and longtime Walden board member Dr. Barbara Solomon, who dedicated her 50-year career in social work to empowering minority and underserved communities, the scholarships total approximately $118,000, including two full-tuition awards.

“Social workers are important collaborators who tackle most of the challenges people encounter,” said Dr. Savitri Dixon-Saxon, associate dean of the School of Social Work and Human Services. “These exemplary students represent agents of change who are making a difference in the well-being of individuals, families and communities. Their advanced degrees in social work will help them continue to address societal problems as scholar-practitioners.”