As he approaches the Thanksgiving holiday, graduate student Cory Whitfield remains grateful for a mentor’s powerful impact on his journey at East Tennessee State University.
Whitfield, who will graduate with his Master of Social Work in May 2022, would not have been able to attend ETSU if not for the late Dr. Angela
Radford Lewis, an ETSU administrator who served as vice provost and special assistant
to the president for strategic initiatives at ETSU before her death in 2019.
Lewis paved the way for Whitfield to pursue his dreams at ETSU, and now, he hopes
to pay it forward and mentor and inspire others through a career in social work.
As a student, Whitfield has already taken on a leadership role on several university,
state and national social work organizations. Among other roles and responsibilities,
he currently serves as the National Association of Social Work-TN Board of Directors
Secretary and is working to begin a local chapter of the National Association of Black
Social Workers.
You’ve had a successful academic career here at ETSU. What role did your mentor, Dr.
Angela Radford Lewis, play in your journey?
This is my second time attending ETSU. I initially attended ETSU in 2012, but had
to leave because of finances. In 2018, the late Dr. Angela Radford Lewis provided
the opportunity for me to return to ETSU, and that’s why I am here today.
I was working at a warehouse in Johnson City and was desperately looking for a new
opportunity at the time. Out of nowhere, Dr. Lewis sent me a text telling me that
she found a way to remove the economic burdens of returning to school and I needed
to enroll ASAP. That moment has changed me and my family forever.
Returning to school basically overnight, I struggled that first semester. However,
I was still able to make the Dean’s List. I broke the news to Dr. Lewis before I told
anyone else. Unfortunately, Dr. Lewis passed away two months later.
My goal is and will always be to make her proud. I recently saw her husband, and he
told me that she would be proud of me. Those words were more important than any of
my accomplishments. Humbly speaking, I feel that I carry a small piece of her legacy
with me. I will carry on her legacy with the same level of excellence that she would
demand. Furthermore, it’s the same level of excellence that she carried herself. Dr.
Lewis taught me that mediocrity is unacceptable. That’s why I work so hard to have
an impeccable record. Dr. Lewis has also taught me to never be afraid to invest in
people and assist them with their journey. You never know what that person will become.
I hope to someday be able to help elevate someone in the same manner Dr. Lewis elevated
me.
Why did you choose a career in social work?
If you ask a group of small children what they want to be when they grow up, I doubt
that many would say a social worker. If you asked a group of high school students
the same question, many probably wouldn’t say a social worker – not unless someone
close to them is a social worker. This is because you don’t choose social work. Social
work chooses you.
We go through trials and tribulations throughout life. In response to these trials,
we develop courage, resilience, tenacity, determination and coping skills. From our
ability to overcome adversity, social work chooses those who are able to share those
qualities with our clients and community. I didn’t choose social work because social
work chose me.
Why have you chosen to be involved in so many professional and student organizations
throughout your time at ETSU?
As social workers, many of us come in with big ideas on how to effect change. However,
for some, these ideas never manifest into anything but complaints and disgruntled
workers. To have a seat at the table to make change you must be involved. I’m not
a huge deal, but I have established myself as someone who has the ear of some influential
people. That’s only because I am heavily involved.
What do you hope to do when you graduate?
In the short term, I want to work toward obtaining my clinical licensure and becoming
the best clinician that I possibly can be. In the long term, I aspire to be involved
with the legislative and policymaking process. As social workers, we have the unique
position of seeing the disparities of our clients reflect the oppression in their
community. Social workers are greatly needed in the legislative process. It is my
ambition to fill that role.
What advice do you have for other students who are experiencing adversity or obstacles?
I know this is cliché, but never give up on yourself. I’ve had many lows in my life,
but I never gave up on myself. Regardless of what you’re going through, regardless
of how many people count you out, never give up on yourself. I was counted out and
disregarded by so many people. But even with the doubts, I knew my worth and potential.
Regardless of what people say and the challenges that you face, know your worth and
keep pushing.