News

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Courtney Boddie, PhD, associate dean of students for diversity and inclusion and director of counseling services, is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Minority Fellowship Program’s (MFP) November Fellow of the Month.

Boddie has been involved in the highly competitive and selective MFP program since 2016. Upon his induction, he earned a $20,000 award that supported his research endeavors as a doctoral student, making participant incentives for publications and conference travel accessible.

According to the MFP November Fellow of the Month feature story, “Dr. Boddie was drawn to the MFP, because he felt it was an opportunity to join a community of mental health providers and scholars, who navigate marginality of identity and exceptionality of ability and skills.”

“The Minority Fellowship Program’s community of providers and scholars is exceptional,” Boddie said. “For example, its flagship symposium, Bridging the Gap, continues promoting scholarship and practice regarding support for vulnerable populations and treatment of difficult presenting concerns unseen in other spaces.”

“Knowing that this Fellow of the Month recognition is a product of nominations by peer fellows, it feels refreshing and validating to receive feedback that I am making a valuable contribution.”

Black, indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) make up more than 28% of the U.S. population, but fewer than 20% of American mental health providers are BIPOC, according to the MFP. Therefore, the program aims to increase the pool of qualified professionals through development of BIPOC nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and marriage and family therapists.

Boddie is a shining example of a respected clinician and leader whose influence and abilities have been fostered through the MFP. Among his numerous professional strengths and qualifications, he has extensive experience and academic expertise in minority stress and cultural trauma.

In July 2020, Boddie’s leadership responsibilities at SIUE were amplified as he was named associate dean of students for diversity and inclusion. Additionally, Boddie has been director of counseling services since July 2017. He also served as interim director of the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI) from October 2018-January 2020.

He is actively engaged in University service, including initiatives such as Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation, Scholarly Connections and Rewarding Engagement, African American Male Initiative, University Diversity Council, and the Anti-Racism Task Force. He teaches courses in the Department of Psychology, including Psychosocial Foundation of African American Worldviews and Multicultural Counseling.

View the MFP November Fellow of the Month feature at mfpcc.samhsa.gov.

The purposes of the Minority Fellowship Program are to facilitate the entry of ethnic minority students into mental health careers and increase the number of psychologists, psychiatric nurses, psychiatrists, and social workers trained to teach, administer, and provide direct mental health and substance abuse services to ethnic minority groups. SAMHSA is committed to services that are professional, competent, and effectively meet the critical mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment needs of the nation’s diverse population.

Photo: SIUE’s Courtney Boddie, PhD, associate dean of students for Diversity and Inclusion and director of Counseling Services.