TAMUK Grad Receives AAUW Grant

Texas A&M University Kingsville

KINGSVILLE (News Release) - A graduate student at Texas A&M University-Kingsville recently received a $3,000 Career Development Grant from the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The recipient, Vanessa Muniz, is currently pursuing her master’s degree in social work and expected to graduate in May 2023.

Muniz said the grant will go towards her tuition and research. The overall focus of her research has been mental healthcare and wellness in conjunction with resources in South Texas.

Vanessa Muniz

“Throughout the master of social work generalist program, we complete a field practicum each semester, so we get two years of training, where we are placed at a local agency to learn and apply practice methods of social work under a licensed social worker,” Muniz said.

“I have been focusing on mental healthcare, therapy techniques and wellness for children in the school setting throughout my first year and extended that framework this year to family, caregivers and what resources are available to those in our area.”

She said after graduation, she plans to apply for the state licensure exam and continue her education to pursue a clinical license to practice social work in the state of Texas. Muniz would like to be a family therapist or medical social worker and continue to assist those underrepresented in South Texas.

The AAUW Career Development Grants provide funding to women who hold a bachelor’s degree and are preparing to advance or change careers or re-enter the workforce in education, health and medical sciences, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) or social sciences.