HHP graduate profile: Malika Baldwin, master of social work
Graduating students were nominated by College of Health and Human Performance faculty this semester for a graduate profile. Learn more below about Master of Social Work graduate Malika Baldwin.
Name: Malika Jones Baldwin
Major: Master of Social Work
Hometown: New Bern, N.C.
Hobbies/interests: When time allows, I love to sing, draw, paint, listen to mental health podcasts, journal, and spend time with my family.
Favorite class: My favorite class is SOCW 6324 – Social Work Practice with Developmental Disabilities. This summer course challenged many of my preconceived notions personally and professionally, helping me to have a higher level of sensitivity when providing care.
Favorite place on campus: The Rivers Building – School of Social Work floor, where I’ve had many great opportunities to connect in person with others in my cohort and many of my professors.
An ECU memory you would like to share: One of my favorite memories was attending the ‘Developing Future Interprofessional Healthcare Leaders Seminar’ supported by the Truist Center for Leadership Development. This opportunity was life-changing for me; I walked out of the seminar with a more profound respect and value for myself and others in the social work profession and many other professions that make up a vital interprofessional healthcare team.
Post-graduation plans: I plan to apply for my Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSW-A) licensure, which will help me enhance the trauma-informed care and services I currently provide to youth. After becoming fully licensed, I plan to have my own private practice one day and offer counseling services to youth and adolescents.
From faculty Kelley Reinsmith-Jones: “Malika is a wonderful, beautiful person as well as a stellar student. After 3 years in a part-time program, Malika has a 3.9 overall GPA. What makes this so remarkable is that Malika is a first-generation student and the mother of 3 children, ages 8, 5, and 1, and is in her fourth pregnancy. Both she and her husband were pursuing their master’s degrees simultaneously and were employed. Dr. Christine Lysaight was so impressed by Malika’s feedback (from the Interprofessional Truist Leadership event) that Malika was invited to speak at the ECU TRUIST Leadership Center Board of Directors meeting this February. No matter the challenge, Malika always rises to the occasion and maintains a great attitude and a helping heart.”