keisha munson is first lipscomb student selected for national mft minority fellowship
master’s student chosen for american association for marriage and family therapy program
courtney grable |
this past fall, keisha munson, a master’s student in the marriage and family therapy program, became the first lipscomb student to be accepted into the american association for marriage and family therapy (aamft) minority fellowship program (mfp).
the mfp is the substance abuse and mental health services administration’s (samhsa) premier mental health workforce development training program focused on reducing mental health disparities faced by underserved and minority communities. for more than a decade, the mfp has provided more than 500 fellowships to graduate students from across the country.
“the minority fellowship program is for students who have an interest in working with minority populations,” said dr. chris gonzalez, chair of the marriage and family therapy program. “it’s nationwide and highly competitive.”
students selected as mfp fellows have demonstrated commitment to advancing the health and well-being of underserved minority populations through their research and service. the program supports these students through financial aid, advanced clinical and research training, professional development and mentoring.
through mentoring, conferences, leadership training, workshops and peer networking, the program offers students career advancement including early exposure to new career opportunities to take their education and experience to the next level, said gonzalez.
“keisha will be able to pounce on some really good opportunities that will situate her to have influence on other students,” he said., “if she goes on to a doctorate, the mfp opportunities would catapult her further into consequential positions of influence.”
“the program has given me the opportunity to increase my cultural competency by learning about different races and backgrounds,” says munson. “it’s continuing to allow me to do research, specifically in parent-child relationships and substance abuse.”
munson received her undergraduate degree in psychology from zabor university in 2017. at lipscomb she is currently the graduate assistant for the mft program as well as the representative for her cohort. she will walk in the may 2022 commencement program, but will officially finish her academic program in july.
after graduation, munson plans to work in group behavioral practice at the ross center in the greater nashville area.
“my interest in the underserved population comes from what i've observed throughout my lifetime and in my work experience,” said munson. “i see the effects it has on these families. i want to educate these populations to understand mental health more and how to help them live a fulfilled lifestyle as an individual and the whole family system."