by Iris Reeves
Reprinted from Linkages, published by the Maryland Mental Hygiene Administration.
[Winter 1996; Vol. 23 No. 4]
The formal project announcement and reception for the Maxie Collier Scholars Program was held on August 20,1996 at Coppin State College’s Quiet Lounge. Among the family members attending the formal announcement and reception were Dr. Katherine Collier, widow of Dr. Collier, his parents and brother from Tennessee, four of his seven children, his sister, brother-in-law and niece. They were received and greeted by Dr. Calvin Burnett, President of Coppin State College; Secretary Dr. Martin Wasserman; Deputy Director Dr. Georges Benjamin; Dr. Stuart Silver and other MHA staff - Oscar Morgan, Deputy Director; Sandra Sundeen, Chief, Human Resource Development Division and Dr. Al Zachik, Acting Assistant Director, Child and Adolescent Services. Governor Glendening and Mayor Kurt Schmoke proclaimed August 20,1996 - Maxie Collier Scholars Day.
Congratulatory resolutions were received from Delegates Howard “Pete" Rawlings and Salima Siler Marriot; Council members Sheila Dixon, Keiffer Mitchell and Agnes Welch; and a Presidential Citation from City Council President, Lawrence Bell. The Maxie Collier Scholars Program is a creative interdisciplinary collaborative project based at Coppin State College. It is co-sponsored by the Mental Hygiene Administration; the Presidents of Coppin State College, the University of Maryland at Baltimore, the University of Maryland Baltimore County; Baltimore Mental Health Systems, Inc. and the Black Mental Health Alliance.
The Division of Human Resources Development within the Mental Hygiene Administration has identified two major needs of the public mental health system: 1) a shortage of African American clinicians who can provide culturally relevant clinical services and 2) the lack of trained clinicians available to meet the needs of seriously emotionally disturbed children, adolescents and their families. The Maxie Collier Scholars Program has been designed as a professional training model to provide a supportive challenging learning environment. This education model will ensure the selection, preparation and socialization of promising under-graduate students at Coppin State College for completion of undergraduate and graduate school requirements and placement in professional mental health career positions in the State of Maryland.
The undergraduate disciplines at Coppin State College will include pre-med, nursing, psychology and social work. Administrators and faculty from these areas at Coppin State College, the University of Maryland at Baltimore, and the University of Maryland Baltimore County have committed to the goals of the Maxie Collier Scholars Program and will provide
ongoing support and resources.
In April, 1996, the Coppin State College Curriculum Standards and Policies Committee approved for Fall, 1996 the mental health seminar course. Thus, beginning this Fall, the mental health seminar course, entitled “Emerging Issues in Mental Health and Well Being" will be required for program scholars. A variety of guest lecturers will be featured to sharpen interest and knowledge of enrolled freshman and sophomore students. The project is expected to increase curriculum offerings related to mental health topics and promote college-wide interest in mental health issues at Coppin State College. It is also expected to increase community awareness of resources to assist people who are interested in a career in the field of mental health.
The identification of the Maxie Collier Scholars Program with a prominent African American psychiatrist is important. Dr. Maxie Collier was an inspiration to many people, especially young people, and he was active in the Baltimore community. He was an activist and much beloved and his name lends prestige and honor to a scholarship program to be focused on recruiting African American undergraduates to a career in mental health. In addition, the program is expected to increase curriculum offerings related to mental health topics and promote college-wide interest in mental health issues at Coppin State College. Thus, the program will enhance the range of community service experiences which will address critical social needs of citizens in Baltimore City and the State of Maryland.
The program directors are myself, Dr. Eloise Bridges of Coppin State College; Mrs. Sara B. Gray is the Project Coordinator. For more information call (410) 767-6612.