East Carolina University Student Named 2022 NASW-NC Toby Brown Award Winner!

(RALEIGH, NC) – The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter (NASW-NC) has named Christina Mahon as the recipient of the 2022 NASW-NC Toby Brown Award for Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) undergraduate students for the 2021-2022 academic year. Christina is an outstanding student at the East Carolina University (ECU) and within his community.

The award recognizes a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) student in North Carolina who best reflects and represents the ethics, values, and passion in the field of social work through exemplary performance in social work coursework, field placement, student social work associations, and community organizations.

Christina has been an active member of the ECU campus community throughout her time in college, serving as Vice President of ECU’s Bachelor of Social Work Student Association (BSWSA), Media Chair for Chi Zeta Social Work Honor Society, Vice President of Gamma Sigma Sigma Service Sorority, a Residential Scholar, and the Human Health and Performance Social Work Ambassador. Christina’s participation in student organizations, as well as her work academically, has not gone unnoticed. As Janine Jason-Gay, ECU Assistant Director of Field Education, says: “In my career as a professor, I have met very few students who have been capable and willing to take on so many leadership positions. However, Ms. Mahon was able to successfully fulfill these leadership roles due to her motivation, organizational skills, and initiative. I am confident that she will become a leader in the social work profession.”

Christina’s BSW internship was at the In-Home Services unit of Beaufort County Department of Social Services (DSS), where she interviewed children and adults, performed safety, strengths, needs, and risk assessments, and more. Christina’s passion was quickly evident to the Beaufort DSS team. Her field instructor, Beaufort DSS In-Home Services Social Worker Settria Vinson, says: “Christina’s passion to serve people she works with is evident. She asks questions to better understand both client situations and how to integrate practice theories into her work. Christina is always searching for new tasks and new ways to be exposed to the field and clients.”

Her time at Beaufort DSS also had a profound effect on Christina. "A social worker's role is to serve and assist members of the community who need them most - not to judge them, but to empower and uplift them in all the work they do." Christina plans to next attend the University of North Carolina - Wilmington's Master of Social Work Advanced Standing Program with a concentration in School Social Work.

The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter (NASW-NC) is a membership organization of professional social workers with over 4,800 members in North Carolina. NASW promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW-NC also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.

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