UA Little Rock student becomes first MSW candidate to win national minority fellowship

Phillip Hill, a graduate student at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has been named to the Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship Program. He is the first student in the university's School of Social Work to receive the national distinction while pursuing a master's degree.

Hill is one of 40 fellows chosen from across the United States this year. The selection process involved three rounds of review. The fellowship, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, provides financial support, specialized training, and mentorship to students focused on improving mental health and substance use services in underserved communities.

Hill is an advanced standing student in the MSW program. He earned his associate degree from the University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College before transferring to UA Little Rock. He graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Social Work and a minor in English. He stayed at the university for his graduate studies because of his relationships with faculty and peers.

Dr. Laura Danforth, director and professor of the School of Social Work, called the selection a remarkable achievement for Hill and the university. "We could not be prouder of Phillip for earning this national distinction and representing UA Little Rock's School of Social Work so exceptionally well!" Danforth said.

Hill is currently interning at Little Rock Recovery in Maumelle. He works with clients in early recovery under the supervision of Michael Godfrey, a licensed clinical social worker, and Brian Fleckenstine, a board-certified psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner. He also serves as a graduate research assistant under Dr. Esaa Mohammad Samarah, an assistant professor. His research covers peer recovery, corporal punishment, and rural behavioral health.

His work has received national attention. Presentations of his research were accepted for the 2026 CSWE conference and the 2027 Society for Social Work and Research conference. He is the lead author on one manuscript and a co-author on another, both of which are pending publication.

Hill credits faculty members including Professor Morgan Leyenberger, Dr. Theresa Flowers, Dr. Samarah, and Dr. Danforth for their mentorship. "Being selected tells me that my experience, including the hardest parts of my past, has value in this field," Hill said. "It's a national affirmation that the work I want to do matters." After finishing his master's degree, Hill plans to start a full-time position as a clinical provider at Little Rock Recovery. He also intends to pursue a Ph.D. in social work and teach in the future.