Hello All,

My name is Cornelius U-Jean Baker, and I am attempting to complete my Master of Social Work degree at Columbia School of Social Work in New York City. I am a graduate of the University of Kansas in the Psychology department and focused on mental health access in marginalized communities around race and ethnicity. I currently work for the Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity as the Education Program Coordinator at KU.

After taking a break between undergraduate and graduate school, I decided to apply for the master's program at the Columbia School of Social Work for the Fall 2018 academic year. In my life, I have always had a passion for working with marginalized populations in mental health. Mainly working with LGBTQ+ individuals who have experienced harm within the criminal legal system. Based on my own privileged and oppressed identities, I have been looking for a way to support my communities in my everyday actions.

During the start of COVID-19 in my second year of graduate school, many of my original plans were diverted. As a result of my struggles involving mental health and the pandemic, I arrived at a low point in the spring semester. In isolation, I could not perform at the necessary level to complete my master's degree in May 2020. After the delay, I was able to take a leave of absence to focus on other health concerns and a sense of stability. Unfortunately, my leave of absence was extended due to a charge applied to my student financial account during the summer. This charge was due to me extending my lease with graduate student housing during COVID-19 since I couldn't move at the previously assigned time.

Under these circumstances, a hold was placed on the account that prevented me from enrolling in the upcoming semester. However, after further conversation with the Columbia School of Social Work, we have devised a plan for me to complete the remainder of my coursework over the summer of 2022 online. I was initially told that I needed to pay off my balance to get it below 1,000 dollars to remove my financial hold. However, yesterday I was told that I would need to pay the entire balance ($2,773) before I could enroll by the start of summer registration on May 23rd. Due to this update, I would not be able to pay this remaining balance myself as I had previously planned in my timeframe.

Although I am not always great at asking for help, I wanted to reach out to see if I might be able to find any support. I have been looking at scholarships, but I am not hopeful that I will be able to apply and hear back in time with the unexpected time constraints. Initially, I was unsure whether I would want to complete my master's degree. Still, after everything that has happened these past couple of years, I would appreciate being able to close this chapter of my life with a cheerful ending. If you can donate in these next couple of days, I would be incredibly and eternally thankful. If you choose to do so, please leave your name, contact address, and email so that I may send you a thank you message and add you to a follow-along blog about my completion of this master's degree over the summer. I plan to talk about my experience in social work as a Black queer person and higher education overall.

Cornelius U-Jean Baker