Grad student wins Hogg Foundation bilingual scholarship

OLLU Graduate Student is One of 22 to Win Bilingual Scholarships from the Hogg Foundation

AUSTIN, Texas – Our Lady of the Lake University student Annabelle Vazquez of San Antonio is one of 22 bilingual graduate social work students to receive $386,000 in full-tuition scholarships from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health in Austin.

Before entering graduate school, Vasquez worked with children, youth and adults in social service agencies for five years. She has a bachelor’s degree from the Worden School of Social Service at Our Lady of the Lake University.

“During my undergraduate studies, I discovered a passion for working with older adults and connected with residents who suffered from mental conditions such as depression and anxiety. I grew to respect and admire this population and I feel strongly about advocating for their needs,” Vasquez said.

Research has shown people who speak a language other than English are under-represented in social work and other mental health professions in Texas and the United States. As a result, they are less likely to receive effective mental health services.

To begin addressing the shortage of bilingual mental health workers in Texas, the Hogg Foundation began offering the full-tuition scholarships in fall 2008 and has awarded 51 to date. Seven previous recipients have graduated. See a complete list of the Fall 2009 Bilingual Scholarship Recipients.

“Graduate schools welcome the scholarship program because it attracts quality students and promotes academic diversity,” said Dr. Octavio N. Martinez, Jr., executive director of the foundation. “We view the program as a success because it increases the state’s mental health workforce and supports the foundation’s mission to improve mental health for all Texans.”

New students are eligible to apply for the scholarships, which cover tuition and required fees. Recipients must be accepted by one of 11 accredited graduate social work programs in Texas, be fluent in Spanish and English, and agree to work in Texas after graduation providing mental health services for a period equal to the timeframe of the scholarship.

The Hogg Foundation was founded in 1940 by the children of former Texas Governor James Hogg to promote improved mental health for the people of Texas. The foundation’s grants and programs support mental health consumer services, research, policy analysis and public education projects in Texas. The foundation is part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at The University of Texas at Austin.