JSWE Publishes Special Issue Celebrating 50 Years of CSWE’s Minority Fellowship Program

News

Published on : June 24, 2025

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Minority Fellowship Program (MFP), the Journal of Social Work Education (JSWE) has published a special issue, “Celebrating 50 Years of CSWE's Minority Fellowship Program: Reflecting on the Program's Presence and Impact.”  

Guest edited by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) current Minority Fellowship (MFP) Director, Dr. Collina Cooke, and former MFP Director, Dr. Duy Nguyen, this commemorative issue honors the golden anniversary of CSWE’s MFP, which was first launched in 1974 under the leadership of Carl A. Scott. Initially funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) and now supported by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the MFP has supported generations of social work students. 

"Working on this special issue with Dr. Nguyen was a meaningful reminder of the brilliance and power within the MFP community,” Cooke said. “The research, reflections, and storytelling in these pages speak to generations of fellows who have transformed the social work profession by addressing the substance use and mental health needs of underserved communities.  

“It has been an honor to serve as the director of MFP and to help bring forth this special issue. It offers just a small glimpse into MFP’s broader impact, while honoring the program’s legacy and the scholars, leaders, and visionaries who continue to shape its future." 

The special issue celebrates the MFP’s profound legacy, highlighting the voices, scholarship, and influence of those who have been touched by the program. For 5 decades, the MFP has played a pivotal role in shaping the future of social work by equipping fellows with the skills and knowledge needed to address urgent challenges in mental health and substance use. Its impact continues to resonate across the profession, through the transformative work of its alumni in communities across the country. 

“It is such an honor for JSWE to celebrate and recognize the MFP’s extensive contributions, which have affected and transformed countless lives over the past 50 years,” said Mia Moreno-Hines, Senior Production Editor for JSWE. "This special issue is a testament to that legacy. Dr. Cooke and Dr. Nguyen, the authors, and reviewers were all a joy to work with on this project. We are so proud and thrilled to showcase their hard work and devotion to the MFP." 

In recognition of CSWE’s MFP, its leadership, fellows, and legacy, the following articles are available with free access until November 1, 2025. Readers can access additional JSWE articles through their program’s library subscription:  

The guest editorial is also available with free access.  

Founded in 1952, CSWE is the national association representing social work education in the United States. Its members include more than 900 accredited baccalaureate and master’s degree social work programs and their affiliated social work educators, students, and staff, as well as practitioners and agencies dedicated to advancing quality social work education. Through its many initiatives, activities, and centers, CSWE supports quality social work education and provides opportunities for leadership and professional development so that social workers are empowered to play a central role in achieving the profession’s goals of social and economic justice. CSWE’s Board of Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States and its territories.