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The Department of Social Work at the University of Arkansas at Monticello has awarded the first Barbara D. Weaver Memorial Scholarships to seniors Kayla Coady and Maira Mondragon, both social work majors.

The Barbara D. Weaver Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the life and legacy of Barbara Diane Weaver. At age 47, Weaver began her academic journey at UAM, where she would earn a Bachelor of Science in social work degree in 2004. She went on to complete a Master of Social Work degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and built a career serving others as a social worker with Delta Counseling Associates, Mainline Health Systems, Inc. and CHI St. Vincent North. Among her many contributions, she helped secure a $2 million grant for the City of Dumas to build the Family Investment Center for underprivileged children. Through the new scholarship, Weaver’s family seeks to honor her dedication to helping others by supporting UAM’s social work students.

The scholarship is awarded to students who demonstrate resilience, dedication to serving others, academic promise and a deep commitment to the core values of social work. This year’s recipients were each awarded $500 for the fall semester.

Coady, a native of Crossett, Arkansas, works as a shelter advocate with Options Inc. in Monticello and is completing her field placement with the Department of Children and Family Services. As a mother of two, she credits her children as the inspiration behind her commitment to the field, stating, “I’m passionate about helping children and believe the best way to support them is by ensuring families have the resources they need to lead happy and healthy lives. I chose social work because of the interactions I had with social workers throughout my life.”

Mondragon, a native of Lake Village, Arkansas, is a first-generation college student who decided to pursue a career in social work and is focused on providing therapy and resource access for underserved communities, especially the Spanish-speaking community. “With the ongoing support of my husband and family, I hope to leverage my experiences and education to help those facing mental health challenges, while creating opportunities that honor my parents’ dreams for me and pave the way for future generations,” Mondragon said.

For more information, contact Dr. Steven Harper, interim dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at UAM, at harpers@uamont.edu or 870-460-1178.