Mercy Students Win Fellowships That Can Open Eyes and Open Doors for People with Autism
Eight students in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SSBS) have been selected as NEXT for AUTISM (NFA) Fellows, a work-based scholarship program for qualified students planning to pursue careers in health and human services. The Mercy University NFA Fellows are Chelsea Adomako, sophomore, Samira Bryant, sophomore, Aitza Cruz Silva, senior, Tamikia Hawkins, junior, Bushra Khan, junior, Vanessa Ortiz, junior, Anna Seibert, sophomore, and Maeva Yaro, sophomore.
“We were elated to learn that, of the twenty fellowships awarded nationwide, eight Mercy students were selected,” said Stuart Sidle, Dean of the SSBS. “It’s an incredible opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience, while addressing the need for more professionals in this field. These bright and compassionate students are about to begin working with individuals with autism in ways that will help them thrive, and all of us at Mercy are excited to watch them grow professionally.”
Yaro, the first in her family to attend college, has her sights set on a career as a heart surgeon. “Working with autistic and intellectually disabled adults will help me cultivate new skills while bringing me inner joy,” she said. “I want to touch skies my parents couldn't reach due to a lack of resources.”
Khan is still deciding on a career path that encompasses psychology, teaching and motivational speaking. “I aim to inspire and empower diverse populations,” she said. “By gaining a first-hand understanding of autism I hope to make a real difference for people whose perception of the world is unique, often misunderstood, yet completely human.”
Adomako, who plans to become a neurologist, expects to obtain a deeper understanding of neurological and developmental disorders. “My older brother has autism, and I’m eager to learn more about how to interpret and respond to his emotions and non-verbal cues, even when he may not be able to express them verbally,” she said.
Seibert seeks to explore insights that will inform her studies toward becoming a child psychologist. “Thanks to this experience, I will be able not only to help people with autism but also to teach independence and support their choices,” she said. “I want to demonstrate how much a person affected with autism can achieve.”
Fellows commit to working 800 hours as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) serving individuals with mental or developmental disabilities. Tasks may include developing behavior plans, teaching self-care skills and other activities of daily life. “The program’s full immersion not only teaches students how to work successfully with their client,” said Sidle. “It also exposes them to the value of working with other professionals who can broaden their opportunities for achieving future goals.”
The demand for DSPs far exceeds the availability of trained, committed professionals, with national statistics showing a 30% turnover rate. NFA CEO Gillian Leek said, “Not only are we helping organizations struggling to provide quality care, but we are educating fellows to go out into the world as more accepting and inclusive individuals.”
This is Mercy’s first year as one of NFA’s academic partners. “We’re grateful for this new relationship, which we hope will lead to more collaborative opportunities in the future,” said Sidle. “Not only does this recognition highlight Mercy’s commitment to preparing students for careers in human services, but it also shows how Mercy is supporting the neurodiversity community by helping address the needs of health and human services fields.”