LEXINGTON, Ky. – Growing up in a community where mental health awareness was limited, Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate Mariamu Wilondja saw firsthand the gaps in understanding and access to care, an experience that continues to shape her path in social work.
After earning her Bachelor of Social Work from Kentucky State University, Wilondja knew she wanted to expand her clinical training and deepen her impact. That decision led her to the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), where she found both the academic preparation and support system needed to continue building her path forward.
Her motivation to pursue social work is closely tied to her lived experience.
Throughout her time in the MSW program, Wilondja said that support from faculty, advisors and staff played a key role in her success, helping her navigate graduate school while preparing for the next phase of her career.
That support became especially meaningful during moments of financial challenge.
“Receiving the Dr. Kennard W. & Pat A. Wellons Scholarship allowed me to stay on track academically at a critical time, ensuring I could register for the classes I needed to continue my program,” Wilondja shared.
Now preparing to graduate, Wilondja is focused on building a career in clinical social work, with plans to work in a hospital setting and eventually open her own practice. Her goal is to expand access to care while also increasing awareness and education around mental health, particularly in communities where stigma and limited resources remain barriers.
Her vision extends beyond local impact.
Having been born and raised in a refugee camp, Wilondja hopes to one day provide mental health support to individuals in similar settings where trauma is common, but access to care and understanding of mental health is often limited.
“Many refugees deal with PTSD as they have experienced traumatic events in their lives, but they are not aware of mental health disorders,” Wilondja said. “The broken heart, the grief, and stigma surrounding them makes it hard for them to seek for help. I was born and raised in a refugee camp myself, the stigma that comes with someone pursuing mental health help is real.”
Wilondja recognizes the lasting effects of those experiences, from depression and anxiety to uncertainty about the future, and is committed to helping others navigate those challenges with greater support and understanding.
As she reflects on her journey, Wilondja points to the role of community, both in the challenges she has faced and the support that has helped her move forward.
Support like the Wellons Scholarship, she said, is more than financial—it creates opportunity.
Her message to those who give is simple: the impact is real, and it changes lives.
