Each year, our School selects representative students from each MSW program to serve as Student Ambassadors. These students share their personal experiences through a series of original blog posts on the SSW Student Ambassadors website. They also welcome questions from prospective UNC School of Social Work applicants about their experiences here.
Through their blog posts, our Student Ambassadors help prospective students learn more about student life at our School. Their honest reflections on the joys and challenges of the graduate student life serve as a great reminder for current students that we’re all experiencing this academic adventure together!
12-Month Advanced Standing MSW Program
Patrick Clifford (he/him)
Email: patcliff@unc.edu
Specialization: Direct Practice
Hometown: Greensboro, N.C.
Undergraduate Institution: North Carolina A&T
Area(s) of social work interest: BIPOC adolescents in underserved communities, therapy, non-profit, sports in social work
Current practicum placement: The Nia Project
Interesting fact: I’m a passionate sports enthusiast and a proud father of four, originally from the Dominican Republic
Rebecca Ryan (she/her)
Email: rcryan@unc.edu
Specialization: Direct Practice
Hometown: Falls Church, VA
Undergraduate Institution: University of Pittsburgh
Area(s) of social work interest: Neurodiverse youth, education, disability policy, LGBTQ+ youth
Current practicum placement: Essentials Counseling and Therapeutic Services
Interesting fact: I was a swim coach for six years!
Casey Buisson (he/him)
Email: cbuisson@ad.unc.edu
Specialization: Community, Management and Policy Practice
Hometown: Hattiesburg, MS
Undergraduate Institution: University of Alabama
Area(s) of social work interest: Voting rights, minority rights (especially in the Deep South)
Current practicum placement: The LGBTQ Center of Durham
Interesting fact: I did competitive speech and debate for 10 years!
Lauren Bryant (she/her)
Email: bryantla@unc.edu
Specialization: Direct Practice
Hometown: Cary, N.C.
Undergraduate Institution: Appalachian State University
Area(s) of social work interest: Child/adolescent mental health, school social work
Current practicum placement: IOP TEEN/Adolescent Center
Interesting fact: I am passionate about working with youth from marginalized communities, and hope to develop creative and more equitable interventions in the future!
2-Year MSW Program
Kate Wirth (she/her)
Email: kmwirth@unc.edu
Specialization: Community, Management and Policy Practice
Dual Degree Program: Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Undergraduate Institution: Elon
Area(s) of social work interest: Health policy, geriatrics
Current practicum placement: N/A (first year was with Orange County Rape Crisis Center)
Interesting fact: I went skydiving in Switzerland on my 21st birthday!
Ryan Phillips (he/him)
Email: rphill@unc.edu
Specialization: Direct Practice
Hometown: Raleigh, N.C.
Undergraduate Institution: UNC-Charlotte
Area(s) of social work interest: School social work, psychotherapy
Current practicum placement: Central Park School for Children
Interesting fact: I used to have hair down to my stomach and I played bass in an indie rock band!
Macy Riopel (she/her)
Email: macyrio@unc.edu
Specialization: Community, Management and Policy Practice
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Undergraduate Institution: Rhodes College
Area(s) of social work interest: Disability, policy
Current practicum placement: Disability Rights North Carolina
Interesting fact: I love painting (specifically fish). My favorite mediums are watercolor and acrylic.
MaryAshley Moody (she/her)
Email: maryashl@ad.unc.edu
Specialization: Community, Management and Policy Practice
Hometown: Stafford, VA
Undergraduate Institution: Brigham Young University
Area(s) of social work interest: Refugees, immigrants, mental health, global social work, program and community engagement/development
Current practicum placement: US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Interesting fact: I speak Portuguese as a second language.
Morgan Church (she/her)
Email: morgan_church@med.unc.edu
Specialization: Direct Practice
Hometown: West Jefferson, N.C.
Undergraduate Institution: UNC Chapel Hill
Area(s) of social work interest: Substance use, mental health, addiction, behavioral healthcare, quality of life, criminalization of these topics
Current practicum placement: UNC Campus Health Services: Primary Care Clinic as a Behavioral Health Consultant
Interesting fact: I am a first-generation college student for both undergraduate and graduate school, and am super proud to be a double Tar Heel. Growing up in the mountains of North Carolina, I love all things outdoors– whether it’s hiking, kayaking or gardening. A fun and random fact about me is that I have met and hung out with rapper Rich Homie Quan.
Mia Concepcion (she/her)
Email: concepc@unc.edu
Specialization: Direct Practice
Hometown: Atlantic City, N.J.
Undergraduate Institution: Hampton University
Area(s) of social work interest: Clinical social work, BIPOC mental health amongst adolescent/college-aged women, non-profit management
Current practicum placement: UNC Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic
Interesting fact: I love to dance and enjoy sharing this gift with others. My goal is to merge my passion for dance, community and personal empowerment to tell stories about the beautiful and sometimes challenging aspects of the human experience. I hope to convey that dance is a universal language transcending barriers of technical dance training and experience, allowing us to express unbridled joy and deep emotions.
Isabella (Bella) Russo (she/her)
Email: irusso@unc.edu
Specialization: Community, Management and Policy Practice
Hometown: Lafayette, LA
Undergraduate Institution: Auburn University
Area(s) of social work interest: Disability policy and community organizing
Current practicum placement: Carolina Institute on Developmental Disabilities
Interesting fact: I’ve been learning how to crochet!
3-Year MSW Program
Iris Greenspun (she/her)
Email: iri@unc.edu
Specialization: Undecided/interested in both
Hometown: Ithaca, NY
Undergraduate Institution: Binghamton University State University of New York
Area(s) of social work interest: Behavioral health, crisis care, community organizing
Current practicum placement: NC Department of Health and Human Services– Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services
Interesting fact: In 2021 I decided to move to North Carolina on whim without knowing anyone or visiting beforehand. It ended up being a fantastic choice that eventually led me to UNC!
Sofia Lawrence (she/her)
Email: sofmlaw@unc.edu
Specialization: Community, Management and Policy Practice
Hometown: Asheville, N.C.
Undergraduate Institution: UNC-Asheville
Area(s) of social work interest: Anti-oppressive research, anti-oppressive social work pedagogy, cultural studies and social work
Current practicum placement: UNC School of Social Work (research)
Interesting fact: I wrote a joke book when I was in high school (never published, obviously), and the jokes were terrible. Example, Q: Which salad topping do you buy from the hardware store? A: Wrench dressing!
Brenda Alvarez (she/her)
Email: balvarez@ad.unc.edu
Specialization: Direct Practice
Hometown: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Undergraduate Institution: City University of New York– Queens College
Area(s) of social work interest: Marriage and family therapy
Current practicum placement: Carolina Outreach
Interesting fact: I am passionate about holistic health and strength training.
Online MSW Program
Devin McCarthy (he/him)
Email: devin_mccarthy@med.unc.edu
Specialization: Direct Practice
Hometown: Newburgh, NY
Undergraduate Institution: SUNY New Palz
Area(s) of social work interest: Direct practice– adults, LGBTQIA+ folks
Current practicum placement: C3 HealthcareRx– MindHealthy
Interesting fact: I live in the Research Triangle with my dog Remy. I love traveling and trying out new restaurants in the area!
Hillary MacKenzie (she/her)
Email: Hillary.MacKenzie@unc.edu
Specialization: Direct Practice
Hometown: Hillsborough, N.C.
Undergraduate Institution: Appalachian State University
Area(s) of social work interest: Adult mental health, marriage and family therapy
Current practicum placement: The Compass Center
Interesting fact: I enjoy sourdough baking and native gardening in my free time.
