Social Work Graduate Advocates for Marginalized Communities

ATLANTA — Recent graduate Haddy Samba (M.S.W. ’24), of The Gambia, dedicated her studies in the School of Social Work at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies to championing social justice and empowering marginalized communities, work she plans to continue while pursuing her Ph.D.

Samba’s academic journey in social advocacy spans continents and cultures. She began her career in The Gambia, earning her first degree and dedicating over a decade to the West African Examinations Council, Banjul office. Besides her job, she mentored youth retaking their high school examinations and advocated for victims of domestic violence, an issue that resonated personally with her.

Later, she pursued a Master of Public Policy on a full scholarship at the KDI School of Public Policy and Management in South Korea. While there, she served as a project officer for the African Development Forum (ADF), a social platform established by the school to encourage intellectual engagement among students by discussing the socio-economic, cultural and political issues in African countries. She served on the ADF’s Constitutional Amendment Committee in 2020.

Samba’s experiences in these roles helped in her understanding of Africa’s development landscape and solidified her commitment to advancing social justice.

After returning to The Gambia, she wanted to help people in a different capacity, particularly those facing systemic inequities, which led her to pursue a social work degree at Georgia State University. Initially, she faced financial challenges at Georgia State, so she enrolled in a payment plan to cover tuition out of pocket.

“I wasn’t aware of the financial aid opportunities available until I decided to reach out,” she said.

Conversations with Clinical Associate Professor Nicholas Forge, her academic adviser and the M.S.W. program director, guided her to the myriad of work-related opportunities Georgia State offers. His support eventually led her to secure a graduate research assistantship with the School of Social Work after her first semester.

Samba also kept in close communication with social work faculty Susan Snyder, Fred Brooks, Joon Choi and Elizabeth Beck. They supported, encouraged and guided her in the program and toward financial resources. With her burdens eased, she was able to focus on academic and professional experiences that would shape her career path.

For a year, Samba worked with Back on My Feet, a nonprofit organization that fights homelessness and promotes economic independence through fitness events. Through her involvement, she completed three marathons, raised awareness, raised money and cultivated a deep interest in addressing homelessness among children and youth from marginalized and underserved backgrounds.

Samba also worked as a graduate research assistant for Runaway and Homeless Youth in Atlanta, an AmeriCorps VISTA project co-directed by Forge and Kris Vargas, the associate dean for research and doctoral studies at the College of Education & Human Development (CEHD). On this project, she helped provide training, seminars and direct support for service providers to ensure the spaces housing unstable youth were also safe for LGBTQIA+ youth.

Samba then joined World Pediatrics, an organization that facilitates life-changing surgeries for children from developing countries. Her efforts led to The Gambia’s inclusion in the program, resulting in open heart surgery for a Gambian child. She did similar work with children from Jamaica, Honduras, Haiti and Somalia, continuing her advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a Ph.D. in School Psychology at Georgia State’s CEHD, focusing her research on trauma-informed practices and its effects on unhoused youth. She hopes to address these challenges within a social justice framework by exploring evidence-based interventions.

Samba’s connections within the School of Social Work have opened many doors. For example, they’ve provided her opportunities to speak to students at orientations where she shares her experiences and promotes the program.

“Embrace the journey and don’t be afraid to ask for help, either on how to take advantage of opportunities or to be informed about what’s available,” she said. “Build connections with faculty and classmates and remember that every step shapes who you are.”

As she looks toward the future, Samba remains deeply committed to her purpose of empowering others, advocating for justice and creating pathways for lasting change.

• By AYSPS Graduate Student Assistant Ayomidotun Olugbenle (M.A. in Communication)