Action Lab for Social Justice 2025 Social Work Pathways Initiative Fellows
CSSW’s Action Lab for Social Justice is thrilled to announce this year’s Social Work Pathways Initiative (SWPI) fellows. The SWPI initiative is an ongoing collaboration between CSSW and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice SEEK program — with the help of the 2025-2027 New York Community Trust grant, it is designed to support BIPOC and economically vulnerable students pursuing their MSSW and PhD. The Action Lab had the privilege of recruiting four individuals this year who are deeply committed to research, activism, and racial justice. Their participation in the program guarantees mentorship, fellowship funding, community involvement, and much more.
Daria Hurley (they/she) is a second-year PhD student on the Advanced Practice track. They received their undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Michigan. After completing their undergraduate education, Daria received their MSW from the University of Pennsylvania and went on to become a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) certified in Pennsylvania.
Daria's research focuses on gentrification, social determinants of health, and the impacts of racism and discrimination on mental health, self-determination, and self-worth. As their research takes a community-focused approach to systems, Daria intends to improve policy that disproportionately criminalizes and incarcerates communities of color by leveraging data that amplifies the voices of the communities directly impacted by these policies with the goal of identifying actionable and equitable recommendations.
Outside of CSSW, Daria enjoys spending time with their friends and family, cooking, reading in the sun, traveling, and finding beauty in the little things.
Anika Hussein (she/her) is a first-year Online MSSW candidate in the Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) track. Her interests center around increasing access to quality mental health care for BIPOC and low-income communities. Through her practicum with Global Kids, she supports high school youth in developing emotional awareness, self-confidence, and resilience. Anika hopes to continue working at the intersection of mental health and community engagement, with a long-term goal of opening a culturally responsive wellness center that prioritizes care for underrepresented populations.
Anika shares that the SWPI Fellowship has provided a meaningful sense of belonging while expanding her understanding of what anti-oppressive practice looks like in real-world settings.
Outside of CSSW, Anika enjoys traveling, collecting enamel pins, watching horror movies and spending time with her two cats, Percy and Lexy. She values creativity, balance, and making intentional space for joy and reflection in her daily life.
Tyler J. Cox (she/her) is a first-year MSSW student with a specialization in Integrated Practice and Programming. She received her undergraduate degree from Lehman College and is interested in working to dismantle the criminal legal system through community based approaches to healing and justice. Her interest in research was sparked while studying Sociology and Psychology in undergrad and came to CSSW with the hopes of being able to participate in research done through a social work framing. She hopes to get involved with the Action for Black Lives and Reimagining Safety and Care Initiatives as a SWPI Fellow, and looks forward to receiving support and mentorship towards doctoral study that is so often denied to Black and Brown scholars.
Outside of CSSW, Tyler enjoys travel, cooking meals for family and friends, true crime documentaries, and has recently begun watercolor painting.
Jalen Thymes (he/him) is a first-year MSSW student with a specialization in Policy Practice. Graduating from Hampton University with his degree in sociology, he was motivated to pursue Columbia’s social work program after speaking with a faculty member at a graduate student fair. While at Hampton, he conducted a survey on campus that focused on Black college males and their mental health. In completing his survey, he understood the disconnect between Black males and the importance of their mental health. He is driven to learn about social work policy to address mental health in marginalized communities.
Through the SWPI, he looks forward to furthering his research and working with a mentor in preparation for a potential PhD. To Jalen, social justice begins with self-awareness and is strengthened through open dialogue. In his first year, he has actively participated in class discussions to deepen his understanding of social work practice and its role in creating a more equitable society.
Outside of CSSW, Jalen has spent time familiarizing himself with New York City. His hobbies include finding new restaurants, spending time in the gym, playing basketball, and attending concerts.
