袋鼠不仅会做梦,它们还会做梦. Our students and alumni turn ideas into action every day. Get to know our people, and you'll know what UMKC is all about.
DaVonna威廉姆斯 (M.S.W. ’23)
代词: 她/她/她的
UMKC学位课程: 社会工作硕士
家乡: St. 路易斯,莫
DaVonna has always been passionate about social work advocacy. After returning to UMKC to pursue her 社会工作硕士, her experiences on and off campus allowed her to further explore this passion while adopting a fresh, 这个领域的新观点.
为什么迪你选择UMKC吗?
I chose UMKC because I had a really great experience here for my undergraduate degree and knew it would be the best choice for me when I decided to go back to school.
How has your college program inspired you?
My program has inspired me to continue to speak truth to power no matter my position or status in the world. It has lit a fire in me to continue to advocate for communities that have been historically excluded due to biased systems.
倡导对你来说意味着什么?
与个人合作, group or organization to provide the means for them to gain agency over their own lives and help them better understand the systems that perpetuate unhealthy patterns and beliefs that can diminish their quality of life.
Have your experiences at UMKC helped define your career goals?
肯定. 在我的野外工作期间, I realized that I would like to work with neighborhoods and help them be more involved in decisions that impact their communities. They need to be aware of everything that is going on and have a say in it. I've also realized that as social workers, we need to attack issues at the root a lot more. Getting involved in policy and supporting organizations that are doing that liberatory work is crucial to social change.
Are you a first-generation college student? 如果是这样,这对你意味着什么?
是的,我是. It is important to me because I have been privileged enough to further my education and take advantage of everything my parents worked so hard to provide for me.
What has been your favorite memory at UMKC so far?
Presenting at the 2023 UMKC Social Work Conference. I was able to present my capstone work, which involved community organizing around the issue of unpaid field work for social work students. I am very passionate about economic injustice so being able to speak about our organizing and awareness building efforts was empowering.
Who/What do you admire most at UMKC and why?
我钦佩 社区中心 because they are doing a lot of important work by equipping neighborhoods with the tools they need to address their own needs and meet their goals. I like that they visit and connect with members of the community.
You were president of the 社会工作硕士 Student Organization. 这个角色对你来说意味着什么?
It meant taking the lead to empower my cabinet and other students to speak up on issues that we see as social workers out in the community, 以及城市固体废物计划. My vision is for this organization to be engaging and fun while cultivating a sense of community within the MSW program. 例如, we created a newsletter called “Not Your Grandmother's Social Work” (NYGSW) because we wanted to promote a more refreshing, 进步的社会工作.
What's your favorite fun fact about Kansas City?
Kansas City is the hometown of one of my favorite artists, Janelle Monáe.
你在校园里有最喜欢的地方吗?
My favorite spot on campus is Miller Nichols Library. It’s pretty chill and quiet, so I'm there when I want to brainstorm or work on a project.
What are three words you'd use to describe Kansas City?
有弹性的. 鼓舞人心的. 有趣的.