Toni Johnson Scholars Program is helping Faith Lopez reach their potential
Faith Lopez has a passion for helping people. It’s evident when they are serious and when they are involved in banter.
When Lopez was asked about their goal with a social work degree, the answer was swift.
“World peace,” said Lopez, a 22-year-old senior in the KU School of Social Welfare and member of the Toni Johnson Scholars for Racial and Social Justice Program.
Lopez swiftly added “just kidding,” but were they?
World peace might be an unrealistic task for one person, but Lopez is adamant about uplifting those around them and promoting an environment engaged in racial and social justice.
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Social work wasn’t always the career path that Lopez had in mind. The original plan was political science but starting their college career in 2020 during a pandemic, a tumultuous election cycle and a change of heart led Lopez to study social work. That seed was planted because of the impact school counselors had on Lopez in high school.
“They provided me a comfortable space to process everything,” Lopez said. “That’s what I’m striving to do, is be a school counselor for our school district.”
The Toni Johnson Scholars Program, which supports BSW, MSW and PhD students in the KU School of Social Welfare who are committed to service and social justice, is helping Lopez through financial support, mentorship and professional opportunities.
Lopez’s first social welfare introductory class at KU was an early selling point. The Toni Johnson Scholars Program is making graduation and pursuing a career fueled by passion a reality.
“With Toni Johnson Scholars Program, I think that was the embodiment of what I was really going after, was underserved or minority communities that often have to go through rigorous obstacles and adversities just to get in the same classroom where everyone else could be,” Lopez, who also serves on the Dean’s Student Advisory Board, said.
Lopez wasn’t trying to be “cheesy” when calling the School of Social Welfare the “best” KU has to offer. They were serious. Lopez will talk to anyone about the importance of social work and pitch it as a career path.
The Toni Johnson Scholars Program doesn’t just enable Lopez. It pushes them to their potential.
“They have pushed students as well as me to think bigger than just their tiny little fishbowl and kind of understand that there are problems,” Lopez said, “and there is a need for social workers all around the world.”
