See how two Empower Scholarship recipients are being called to serve as aspiring social workers.
The demand for social workers continues to grow, and aspiring professionals like Adtalem Global Education students Jessica Burton and Danelle Eckeard are stepping up to meet the need.
Driven by personal experiences and an unwavering commitment to advocacy and service, these Empower Scholarship recipients prepare to enter the field, their dedication serves as a powerful reminder of why social work matters.
Since 2016, Empower Scholarship Fund has offered 2,958 scholarships totaling more than $5.5 million.
Turning Adversity into Advocacy
Eckeard’s path to social work through Chamberlain University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program was shaped by her own struggles growing up in poverty. She learned from an early age what it means to feel alone in the world. Her mother worked full-time with individuals with developmental disabilities, while her father battled drug addiction and was absent from her life.
“It was hard feeling alone in a big world with no way out,” she says. “This caused my mother to raise me off survival and not love. So, I was determined to find a different view on life and do more for myself.”
A turning point came in 2008, when she was hospitalized with severe health complications. During this time, her professor and social worker, Dr. Robert Robinson, became a mentor who encouraged her not to give up. With his support, she returned to school to earn her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and made a life-changing promise.
“At my graduation party, he made me promise to give back to the community that I came from so children in my situation would have someone who understood their challenges.”
Eckeard has since dedicated her career to serving children and adolescents who lack a voice. She became a foster parent to over 20 children, many of whom told her that her understanding and support gave them hope when they were ready to give up.
Now, as she pursues her MSW and licensure, Eckeard is committed to creating an even greater impact. Her ultimate goal is to open an adolescent home called Da Twinz Heart, which will provide young adults aged 17 to 26 with independent living skills and a path to a better future.
A Voice for Marginalized Communities
For Burton, the decision to pursue social work through Walden University’s MSW program was deeply personal. Having witnessed firsthand the barriers that marginalized communities face when accessing healthcare, education and essential social services, she knew she wanted to be a force for change.
“I chose to pursue a career in social work because I am deeply passionate about advocating for individuals who face systemic barriers, particularly those from marginalized communities,” she says. “These experiences ignited a desire within me to be a catalyst for positive change and to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background, receives the support and resources they need to thrive.”
Burton sees social work as more than just a profession—it’s a calling that embodies social justice, empathy and advocacy. She envisions herself working in a clinical setting, focusing on mental health and healthcare advocacy, particularly for individuals from minority backgrounds.
Beyond direct clinical work, Burton aspires to contribute to policy changes and systemic reforms that address inequities in social and healthcare systems. By combining direct practice with advocacy, she hopes to make a lasting impact, not just for individuals, but for entire communities.
Walden University’s MSW program has over 6,000 graduates, making it the No. 1 granter of MSW degrees in the U.S .—and it is one of the first online MSW programs to be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.
Learn more about how Adtalem is Championing Care.
For more information, email the Adtalem Global Communications Team: adtalemmedia@adtalem.com.
