Building Bridges to Healing and Empowerment

In the heart of Houston’s social work community, Shajuan Alexander, LCSW-S, stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when purpose meets preparation. A proud 2017 graduate of the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW), Shajuan is the founder of Culture of Health PLLC, a private practice dedicated to transformative mental health and career services for high-achieving women of color. Her work reflects the values of healing, empowerment, and equity—principles that echo GCSW’s mission.

After transferring from the University of Missouri–Kansas City with a year of MSW coursework, Shajuan completed her degree at GCSW in just one academic year. “The clinical track at GCSW aligned with my goals in a way my previous program didn’t,” she shares. “It gave me the space to specialize and grow.” That decision set the stage for a career defined by intention and innovation.

Today, Shajuan leads a thriving practice that offers psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and immigration evaluations. She’s also preparing to launch a consulting agency in 2026 to support healthcare organizations through a clinical lens. Her journey demonstrates what’s possible when social work education is paired with vision and resilience.

Relocating to Houston with her family, Shajuan sought out the best in social work education—and found it at GCSW. “Everyone I spoke to recommended UH,” she recalls. Receiving Dr. Sampson’s Global Leaders of Behavioral Health Education (GLOBE) grant sealed the deal. “The relationships and reputation made the choice very simple.” That sense of belonging continues today, as she remains an engaged alumna committed to giving back.

Shajuan credits GCSW’s therapist-professors and mentorship culture for shaping her clinical foundation. “The practice sessions, research, and relationships gave me the confidence I needed,” she says. That foundation now supports her work in private practice and consulting. She continues to contribute to the profession through CEUs, guest lectures, and mentorship.

Shajuan's story reminds us that social work is more than a profession—it’s a movement. It’s about mentoring, advocating, and innovating. It’s about amplifying marginalized voices in research and creating spaces for healing and joy. As she puts it, “Pursuing a social work degree at the GCSW is an investment in transformation.”

Rather than naming public figures, Shajuan honors those who walked beside her: Dr. Sampson, who saw her potential as a young mother and student; Sheila Joseph, her clinical supervisor, who kept her focused on becoming a therapist; and K'Breaun Sharpe, a fellow UH graduate and peer, with whom she shares a sisterhood in social work and entrepreneurship.

For Shajuan, mentorship is more than a professional tool—it’s a personal calling and a direct extension of her commitment to her alma mater, the GCSW. She mentors two students each year, offering guidance rooted in affirmation, empowerment, and presence. Through mentorship, Shajuan reminds us that charting our paths to excellence is not just a destination—it’s a shared journey.