Alumna Spotlight: Izjahana Lewis
Meet Izjahana Lewis, a compassionate licensed social worker driven by a deep commitment to advocating for marginalized communities. With a background shaped by her MSW education and experience as a Bear Fellow, Izjahana has developed a trauma-informed approach to supporting youth and addressing their unique challenges.
Headshot of Izjahana Lewis
How has your education in social work shaped your approach to advocating for individuals and communities?
The MSW program improved my ability to assist individuals and communities with additional care through active listening, authentic empathy, and research. As a Bear Fellow, I collaborated with the CPD student resources officer to learn about marginalized youth's challenges and to teach them how to develop a trauma-informed lens when supporting them through education, mental health, and additional resources.
What advice would you give current students looking to make a lasting impact in the field?
Students who aim to impact their field should recognize the importance of building human relationships. Networking is crucial for advancing your career. The university provides strategic networking opportunities for students to gain diverse experiences. You can participate in leadership roles, conferences, and events to expand your network. You can also connect with me on LinkedIn—@Izjahana Lewis. Be open to mentorship, constructive criticism, and continuous education to increase competence in your social work expertise.
How did your experience at CAHS prepare you for your current career?
The CAHS program has helped me gain interdisciplinary experiences that have been invaluable in preparing me for my current role as a licensed social worker. Connecting with various disciplines has helped me develop teamwork skills to serve clients more efficiently in their goals. The welcome weekend, student organizations, and Bearcat fellowship have allowed me to build peer relationships with alumni, advisors, and mentors while cultivating leadership experience in advocacy.
What was your first job after graduating, and how did it shape your professional development?
After completing my MSW program, my first job was at the Cincinnati Police Department Victim Advocate Unit (VALU). Before that, I worked as an intern advocating for economic, social, and environmental justice. Seeing the impact of power and privilege has broadened my understanding of the effects of violent crimes on vulnerable individuals and communities. This role is shaping my professional development when clinically assessing the needs of victims affected by violent crimes through a biopsychosocial lens.