The Lawanna Renee Barron Endowed Scholarships are awarded to MSW students with demonstrated interest, or experience, in working in rural settings and/or health and mental health in African American communities. The 2026-2027 recipients are:
Katie Kaonga, Boston University
Kaonga is a Master of Social Work student at the Boston University School of Social Work, where she is committed to integrating compassionate care with evidence-based social work practice. She currently serves as a Mental Health Intern at Hebrew SeniorLife, providing support to older adults through clinical assessment, counseling, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Prior to her graduate studies, Kaonga worked as a mental health counselor in rural communities in Malawi and Zimbabwe, where she gained extensive experience serving individuals with limited access to mental health resources. That experience deepened her commitment to culturally responsive, research-informed practice and to improving the well-being of society's most vulnerable and underserved populations.
Her professional goal is to become an evidence-based social worker whose practice is shaped by both rigorous research and genuine human connection, extending equitable mental health care to those who need it most.