” I was born and raised in the city, and south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. I come from a family of seven and had to help take care of my younger siblings as a child. I started off as a writer and musician, interning for the Chicago  Sun-Times in the features department at the age of 14, but being a social worker and therapist was always in my heart. I started my college career as a music therapy major at University of Iowa, and decided to accept the call to social work one year later.

What I enjoy the most about the School of Social Work is the plethora of programs that are offered, the diversity of faculty and students, and being able to build a rapport with my professors and the staff. Illinois is in my heart, and I’m glad to be a part of a program that adheres to their mission.”

After completing her MSW in clinical social work, she hopes to work internationally with children, people with disabilities, and families. She also aspires to become a philanthropist who works with foster children and orphans both domestically and around the world. She has volunteered with the Don Moyer Boys and Girls Club and a variety of other nonprofit agencies in the community. She has been inducted into Sigma Gamma Rho, a social service and professional organization that seeks to improve the quality of life for women and their families.

Pamela was awarded the 2020 Lyle Niklaus Memorial Scholarship from The Division of Disability Resources & Educational Services at College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. This scholarship supports students affiliated with DRES who are working towards a graduate degree.