Scholarships and Awards
Scholarships and Awards for 2026 will open early in 2026
Advisor of the year
This award recognizes outstanding service to chapters. Advisors are nominated by their students. A plaque is awarded. Deadline for entry is May 31.
Chapter Service Award
This award recognizes outstanding service conducted by chapters. Four $500 awards are presented per year. Deadline is May 31.
MSW Scholarship Program
For each program, each year, three scholarships will be awarded. They are (1st) $3,000, (2nd) $2,000, and (3rd) $1,000. Awards are intended to help students with expenses related to their education. Students must be members of
Phi Alpha to apply. Winning submissions will be posted on the Phi Alpha website. Applications are due May 31st. Awards are announced by September 1st.
Doctoral Scholarship Program
For each program, each year, three scholarships will be awarded. They are (1st) $3,000, (2nd) $2,000, and (3rd) $1,000. Awards are intended to help students with expenses related to their education. Students must be members of Phi
Alpha to apply. Winning submissions will be posted on the Phi Alpha website. Applications are due May 31st. Awards are announced by September 1st.
Patty Gibbs-Wahlberg Scholarship
This award recognizes student scholarship, service, and leadership. Awards of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 are presented each year. Deadline for entry is May 31.
Student Leadership Award
These awards recognize outstanding student leadership consistent with the ideals and missions of Phi Alpha. The focus of the application is the student’s leadership, service, impact, and commitment. The awards are $1,000 for first
place, $750 for second place, and $500 for third place. Students must be active leaders of Phi Alpha and nominated by their chapter advisor. Deadline is May 31.
Chapter Grants
These grants promote and support chapters’ engagement in service learning. This award supports activities consistent with the mission of promoting humanitarian goals and bonds among students. Six $1,000.00 awards are presented each year. Due September 1st and January 1st. Send application to:
PhiAlphaInfo@etsu.edu.
2025 Scholarships and Award winners
Advisor of the Year Awards:
Dr. Jodi Helbert
King University (Bristol, Tennessee)
Chi Omega Chapter
Dr. Claudia Thorne
Coppin State University (Baltimore, Maryland)
Theta Rho Chapter
Dr. Marya Wright
California State University, East Bay (Hayward, California)
Chi Psi Chapter
Patty Gibbs Wahlberg Bachelor of Social Work Scholarship Awards:
Brandy Hudson
King University (Bristol, Tennessee)
Chi Omega Chapter
Dr. Jodi M. Helbert, Advisor
Josephine Talley
Creighton University (Omaha, Nebraska)
Zeta Omicron Chapter
Monica White, Advisor
Cathy Fox, Advisor
Aniah Luvonyia Brewer
Coppin State University (Baltimore, Maryland)
Theta Rho Chapter
Dr. Claudia Thorne, Advisor
Karina S. Perez Bonilla
Walden University (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Tau Sigma Chapter
Olivia Creary, Advisor
Masters of Social Work Awards:
Karlie Pfledderer
University of Southern Indiana (Evansville, Indiana)
Mu Delta Chapter
Jean Zelenko, Advisor
Lenzy Soto-Valdez
George Mason University and AHC (Fairfax, Virginia)
Chi Chapter
Dr. Daniel Freedman, Advisor
Landen Pote
Aurora University (Aurora, Illinois)
Zeta Epsilon Chapter
Allison Schuck, Advisor
Doctorial of Social Work Awards:
Sarah Elizabeth Garza-Levitt
University of Utah (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Lambda Iota Chapter
Jason Castillo, PhD., Advisor
Karen Lehman
Millersville University (Millersville, Pennsylvania)
Theta Alpha Chapter
Karen Rice, PhD., Advisor
Zibora R. Gilder
Howard University (Washington, D.C.)
Eta Eta Chapter
Altaf Husain, Advisor
Elizabeth Langford-Ford
Alabama A&M University (Normal, Alabama)
Chi Iota Chapter
Helen Fischle, Advisor
Shannon Kish McElroy
Alabama A&M University (Normal, Alabama)
Chi Iota Chapter
Helen Fischle, Advisor
Katina Lang-Lindsey, Advisor
Jessica Pablo
Roberts Wesleyan University (Rochester, New York)
Mu Omega Chapter
Hiie Eichenbaum, PhD., Advisor
Autumn Rae Henry
Texas Christian University (Fort Worth, Texas)
Iota Xi Chapter
Dr. Sh’Niqua Alford, Advisor
Student Leadership Awards:
Rose Sandiford
Rutgers University – Newark (Newark, New Jersey)
Mu Nu Xi Chapter
Michael Eversman, PhD., Advisor
Jessica Marquez
California State University, East Bay (Hayward, California)
Chi Psi Chapter
Dr. Marya Wright, Advisor
Jessica Lauren Mullins
King University (Bristol, Tennessee)
Chi Omega Chapter
Dr. Jodi M. Helbert, Advisor
Phi Alpha Chapter Service Awards:
Texas A&M University – Central Texas (Killeen, Texas)
Pi Rho Chapter
Claudia Rappaport, Advisor
University of Southern California (Los Angeles, California)
Omicron Epsilon Chapter
Suh Chen Hsiao, Advisor
University of Nebraska at Omaha (Omaha, Nebraska)
Theta Epsilon Chapter
Kersten Borer, Advisor
California State University, East Bay (Hayward, California)
Chi Psi Chapter
Dr. Marya Wright, Advisor
Looking for service projects?
Safety Posters
During the summer, Phi Alpha members distributed “See and Save” posters to increase awareness of safety issues related to swimming pools, and car seat safety for children.
Donation Boxes
Phi Alpha members collected school supplies via donation boxes throughout the campus. Members spent a Saturday outside a store asking people who were entering the store to buy school supplies and donate them. The collection amount
was over $1000 of supplies and an additional $600 in cash donations used to purchase additional supplies. All of these supplies were distributed to Communities in Schools social workers for three schools in low income areas to distribute
to their clients who could not afford to purchase their supplies. This particular Phi Alpha chapter was rewarded with the President’s Volunteer Service Award by the Community Partners and Local Child Welfare Board.
Fund Raising
Many chapters have garage sales, canned food drives, or bake sales. Items not sold are donated to local Goodwill Industries, Families in Crisis or local domestic violence shelters.
Helping the Homeless
An annual national event where Phi Alpha members sleep outside in cardboard boxes to raise homeless awareness is held. Money raised is donated to help fight homelessness.
Book Drive
A massive book drive was conducted that resulted in both a children’s and adult’s library at a local homeless shelter.
Inner-City Child
An Easter egg party was held for an inner-city church preschool. Refreshments, arts, crafts, and an Easter egg hunt were provided for the children.