Kapria Lee knew she was a strong candidate for the Phi Alpha Honor Society MSW Scholarship Award because of her strong background in all four of the criteria required for the award: scholarship, leadership, service, and professional/career.

Over the last several years, Kapria’s passion for public service and social justice propelled her through her education and professional pursuits. While at the University of Maryland majoring in Spanish and minoring in U.S. Latino Studies, she participated as both a volunteer and employee for the Leadership and Community Service Learning program, working on service projects that matched well with her interest in serving Latin American and Hispanic communities. She worked on service projects abroad, tutored elementary school children, and translated for Spanish speaking family events.

She was also a part of the University of Maryland’s (UMD) Social Innovation Scholars program and McNair Scholars program.  As a Social Innovations scholar, she researched the influence of funding sources on sex education curriculum as well the influence of social media on public perception of HIV and AIDS. And, as a McNair Scholar, she focused on urban education and the difficulties faced by minority students, presenting her research at multiple events including the National McNair Scholars conference. She was also recognized in 2013 for her dedication to scholarship with the McNair Ambassador Award. Her intense interest in research continued into her senior year working as an undergraduate research assistant with UMD College of Education’s Department of Teaching, Learning, Policy, and Leadership analyzing and transcribing bilingual research.

Her experiences serving Latin American and Hispanic populations led her to central Florida where she worked for three years with AmeriCorps as a volunteer, VISTA teacher, and AmeriCorps team leader. “I had the opportunity to serve as the first AmeriCorps team leader for the Heart of Florida United Way AmeriCorps program. This experience was rewarding and demanding, but I grew a lot,” Kapria explained. “I grew a lot. One amazing thing I learned from that position was that you do not need the leader title to be a great leader.”

Kapria has continued to lead by example through her involvement with several organizations at Florida State University (FSU), the FSU College of Social Work and in the Tallahassee community as a graduate student in the Master of Social Work/Master of Public Administration joint degree program with a focus on policy and research. She is also one of the College of Social Work’s CSW Ambassadors, representing the College of Social Work as a role model to her peers and helping to design and organize events around the college. She is also a member of Phi Alpha Honor, Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, and the FSU Fellows Society. She also recently received the College of Social Work MSW Class of 1975 Scholarship and the Dr. William R. Jones Scholarship from the FSU Black Alumni Association.

“While I anticipate holding more leadership positions, I am more focused on doing what a leader does,” Kapria said emphatically. “For me, a leader sets an example through ethical decision-making. She also treats others with respect and exemplifies the values represented in the NASW code of ethics. Handling conflict well, admitting mistakes, and encouraging collaboration are all things I strive to excel in and are qualities I believe make someone a true leader.”

The Phi Alpha MSW Scholarship Award also includes a monetary award that assists with covering education-related expenses. Kapria recommends to her fellow students to start looking for funding early, even before being admitted to programs. “Look thoroughly at funding provided by the school, but don’t forget to look at local, state, and national funding opportunities,” she said. “And, like a job interview, you want to present yourself as the best candidate. So, those who market themselves the best succeed.”