Newest Hogg Foundation Scholar Advocates for Migrant Community

Published August 1, 2023
By Darlene Muguiro
UTEP College of Health Sciences

Mariel Bustamante, a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Social Work program and UTEP’s newest Hogg Foundation for Mental Health scholar, says that a personal and very positive experience with a social worker led her to the field.

“I remember when my brother and I were going through the process of being adopted by my stepdad, and we had visits with a social worker. She was so nice, and she brought toys for my brother and me,” she said. “I asked my mom why she was coming, and my mom explained what was going on. From that point, I knew that I wanted to be just like her and become a social worker.”

Bustamante says that after responding to the call for applications from the Department of Social Work for the Hogg Foundation nomination, she was surprised to learn that she had been selected as the sole nominee – a decision that would allow her to return to school after a short hiatus to begin the MSW Advanced Standing program. 

“When they notified me that I had been nominated, I really thought I was going to be competing again with other students for the position,” she said. “This is a true blessing for me and my family. Being a mom of two, it’s difficult sometimes financially, and now, I don’t have to worry about the upcoming semester.”

In her application, Bustamante described her passion for serving the migrant community in El Paso, particularly the children, who she says are too often victims of trauma during the migration experience. Bustamante saw the impact firsthand as a volunteer for the Children’s Grief Center of El Paso and during her internship with Child Protective Services while she was a student in the Bachelor of Social Work program.

“These children experience trauma while crossing the border, and when they’re moved into shelters without their parents,” she said. “I do know that they receive mental health services while at the shelters, but I wonder if anything is done for them after they are released to their sponsors, so I want to focus on that issue.”

After graduation, Bustamante plans to become a licensed master social worker and then obtain her LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) credential. She will remain in El Paso to serve the migrant community.

“I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for children,” she said. “And the things I’m learning now about working with adults will benefit me as well, because I know that in working with these children, I will also be working with their parents or guardians.”

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Go Miners!

For more information about the Master of Social Work program, please visit: https://www.utep.edu/chs/sw/academic-programs/prospective-students/master-of-social-work.html