UT Austin Students are Among 22 to Receive Bilingual Scholarships from the Hogg Foundation

October 26, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas - University of Texas at Austin students Denise Baxindine of Weslaco and Courtney Landes of Austin are among 22 bilingual graduate social work students to receive $386,000 in full-tuition scholarships from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.

Before entering graduate school, Baxindine taught elementary students in the Rio Grande Valley for five years. She has a bachelor's degree in sociology with a minor in business administration from the University of Richmond in Virginia.

"Ultimately, I want to have a private practice that specializes in issues of anxiety and depression in children. One of my greatest strengths is my ability to communicate well with children they naturally trust me, and I appreciate their unique perspective on everything. Even in the face of great difficulty, children remain hopeful and open to change," Baxindine said.

Landes has a bachelor's degree in Spanish and master's and bachelor's degrees in Latin American Studies from The University of Texas at Austin. She has worked with children and youth through AmeriCorps, Communities in Schools Central Texas, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Texas. After graduation, she plans to work with at-risk youth and families in Texas.

"The overall Spanish-language deficiency in many social service agencies can make even the simplest interactions with families difficult. Important conversations about social service referrals, student progress or struggles, and community events are challenging, simply due to a language barrier and other cultural considerations," Landes 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. Her goal is to specialize in treatment of anxiety and depression in children.

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.

"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.

For more information, contact:
Nancy Neff
Director of Public Affairs, School of Social Work
512-471-6504
neff@mail.utexas.edu