For Immediate Release

April 14, 2025
Contact: Valerie Arendt, varendt.naswnc@socialworkers.org

The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter (NASW-NC) has named four North Carolina social work students as the 2025 NASW-NC Equity and Inclusion Student Award recipients. This award supports the vision of inclusive chapter membership and recognizes Master of Social Work (MSW) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) students pursuing a variety of social work specialties. These recipients were selected based on their commitment to incorporating and promoting equity and inclusion into their social work practice, their high academic achievement, and their leadership.

Stefany Barrera-Marin - University of North Carolina at Wilmington, BSW Student

Stefany Barrera-Marin is a BSW student at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Stefany is passionate about advancing health equity, and hopes to pursue a Master of Social Work at UNC-Chapel Hill. Her interest in health equity emerged from a course project where she explored a bill in the state legislature pertaining to social determinants of health (SDoH). Since then, and coupled with her primary experience in healthcare settings, Stefany has witnessed the impacts of SDoH and the pervasive impacts of limited healthcare access among vulnerable communities. Stefany understands the challenges of SDoH, having experienced them herself in her family. She has worked to create culturally competent materials at Novant Health and employs her Spanish speaking skills to bridge communication gaps. Stefany believes that she can utilize her social work skills to advance health equity and bridge disparities in access to care for marginalized communities. She will draw upon her lived and learned experiences to support her in her journey.

Stefany’s supervisor at Novant Health, Misti Campbell,  says that Stefany has gone “above and beyond with our underserved populations, spending time on weekends volunteering at some of the outreach events … and will go far in her career.”

Htay Meh - North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University & University of North Carolina Greensboro, MSW Student

Htay Meh is an MSW student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Htay is incredibly passionate about serving refugee and immigrant communities – a passion that is fueled by her personal experiences as a Karenni refugee. She understands the challenges associated with refugee status and the limited access to social support, education, and other opportunities that refugees have. Htay’s experiences, especially as a first-generation student, have inspired her to give back to her community through a community-based mental health soccer program, refugee research, and on-site interpretation for community members with limited English proficiency. Upon graduation, Htay hopes to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She hopes that her LCSW can empower her to serve minority and refugee communities and provide needed mental health support to these vulnerable communities.

Htay’s mentor at Together on Mission Refugee Ministry, Jennifer Gragg, says Htay has “compassion for those on the outside looking in and always seeks to reach them and to make sure they have a voice … her character is stellar and her service and leadership are quietly making her community and world a better place.”

Esmeralda Ontiveros - University of North Carolina at Wilmington, BSW Student

Esmeralda Ontiveros is a BSW student at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She carries with her a fighting spirit for equality and is committed to advancing equality for women and other marginalized groups as a social worker. Esmeralda describes herself as a nontraditional student, having made her way back to school after many years of working and trying to get ahead. Esmeralda has worked in many non-profits and was involved in political outreach and engagement during the previous election cycle in 2024. Esmeralda, through her lived experiences, understands the struggles of women and women at the intersection of other social identities. She will draw upon her experiences and her passions to keep advocating for equality and promote inclusion for all.

Esmeralda’s professor, Daysja Terry at UNC Wilmington, says that “Esmeralda's potential to benefit the field of social work is exceptional. She has the advocacy skills and dedication to contribute significantly to advancing social justice initiatives and improving outcomes for vulnerable communities. Of all my students, Esmeralda is the first to speak up on issues facing marginalized populations in our community, highlighting considerations that are often overlooked by others.”

Maria Siquina - University of North Carolina at Wilmington, BSW Student

Maria Siquina is a BSW student at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Maria is incredibly passionate about tackling systemic challenges that are pervasive among Hispanic/Latino communities. Especially focused on poverty, lack of access to education, and limited support for those that lack English proficiency, Maria wants to use her social work skills to support Hispanic communities and create equal opportunities for access to resources. Maria understands the challenges of the community as a Latina that experienced the lack of access to resources and support. Through her work in schools and local church programs, Maria has had the opportunity to support Hispanic communities and give back to her community through service. As a future social worker, Maria is committed to expanding equality and equity, and especially advocating for Hispanic and Latino communities.

Maria’s professor, Dr. Megan Bolden at UNC Wilmington, says “Maria's understanding of social work extends beyond the notion of simply helping others. She recognizes it as a profession rooted in advocacy, empowerment, and systemic change. Maria is committed to addressing long-term challenges, not just immediate crises, by fostering self-advocacy and creating spaces for marginalized individuals to be heard. Her dedication to social justice and her desire to support vulnerable populations, particularly the undocumented Hispanic/Latinx community, are central to her work and purpose in social work.”

More information about the NASW-NC Equity and Inclusion Student Award and how to donate to this award can be found here.

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