From Classroom Curiosity to Community Healing

When Dr. Maurya Glaude walked through the doors of the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW), she carried a vision: to heal families and advocate for communities often left out of research conversations. That vision has since evolved into a career that seamlessly blends scholarship, mentorship, and clinical practice, rooted in social justice.

Her journey began in an abnormal psychology class at Texas Southern University, where she discovered social work’s unique ability to unite advocacy and action. After earning her MSW at Tulane University, Dr. Glaude realized her calling extended beyond practice—she yearned to teach, mentor, and influence policy. “Family dynamics called me to social work,” she recalls, “and I knew GCSW was where I needed to be to learn culturally relevant research and leadership skills.”

Since completing her Ph.D. in 2017, Dr. Glaude has become a published researcher, author, and educator. In her desire to give back to the communities that welcomed her, she now guides master’s and doctoral students while serving in leadership and mentorship roles. Her work niche prioritizes adolescents and the professionals who support them, with a focus on preventive care and wellness. She credits GCSW with preparing her for leadership through an open-door policy and a deep commitment to the community.

That commitment shapes her advice to future social workers: “Be clear about your calling. The students who thrive are those committed to social justice, whether in clinical, mezzo, or macro practice.” She emphasizes that pursuing an advanced social work degree is an investment in both self and community. An investment, she learned, required resilience and flexibility.

Recognizing the exhaustion many advocates feel today, Dr. Glaude founded Stillness Circles—community-based spaces that prioritize wellness over constant resilience. “Community is what drew me to this work, and it’s where I restore and heal,” she says. Through her LLC, she curates wellness experiences for women of color, bridging research and practice to ensure healing reaches those who need it most.

Dr. Glaude’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.”