Deonquanic aims to earn clinical licensure and build a practice that blends counseling, advocacy, and research to reduce mental health stigma in African American communities.

Deonquanic Pope-Dunlap is currently pursuing a master of social work at the UM-Ann Arbor School of Social Work. Deonquanic strives to advance mental health equity by providing accessible, culturally responsive care within African American communities and other marginalized populations. She has a particular interest in counseling, research, and treatment related to mood and personality disorders, as well as mental and developmental disabilities.

Deonquanic’s work is deeply personal, as she serves as a caregiver for her sister, who has cerebral palsy, through Independent Home Care of Michigan LLC. In this role, she provides both daily living assistance and activities that promote independence, cognitive stimulation, and physical development. This experience has deepened her commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities and has shaped her decision to pursue clinical social work as a lifelong career.

Not only does Deonquanic bring her personal and lived experience to U-M, but she also brings more than five years of experience in the mental health field, beginning as a shift leader with the suicide prevention hotline, followed by clinical work at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. She now serves as an ACT clinical case manager with Network 180, the community mental health authority for Kent County.

In addition to Deonquanic’s professional work, she has completed the MasterTrack Certificate in Social Work, which helped strengthen her academic preparation for graduate study. And her experience as a McNair Scholar has expanded her knowledge of research and graduate education while sharpening the skills needed for success in clinical practice.

After graduation, Deonquanic’s long-term goal is to earn clinical licensure and establish a practice that integrates counseling, advocacy, and research while helping to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health treatment in African American communities.

CEW+ applauds Deonquanic’s commitment to mental health equity and names her a Margaret Dow Towsley Scholar.