Hartford Scholarship – The impact on Dr. Jenkins and Dr. Cohen

Fort Worth, TX

4/30/2009

By: Claire Crisp, TCU Schieffer School of Journalism

TCU social work professors Dr. Harriet Cohen and Dr. David Jenkins have a lot to brag about. They are two of 12 geriatric social work professionals named nationally as a Hartford Faculty Scholar by the Gerontological Society of America. The John A. Hartford Foundation grants a $100,000 scholarship to support the professional development and research of outstanding junior faculty striving to improve the well-being of older adults.

Cohen was selected in 2006, based on her expertise as a social work educator, researcher and practitioner with older adults. Her project focuses on the issue of forgiveness in older Holocaust survivors and their unresolved family issues.

Jenkins was selected in 2007. Also a social work educator, researcher and practitioner with older adults, his project focuses on the difficulties encountered by step-grandparents who are lesbian or gay and their family relationships.

The scholarship to fund Cohen and Jenkins’ career development and in-depth research in aging-related social work, is only part of what these professors gained since receiving the grant. Each scholar was assigned a national research mentor to provide in-person and long distance guidance, a travel stipend so that scholars can attended institutes, retreats, workshops, and professional conferences, and faculty development workshops focused on research, training and leadership skill development.

“I was able to get feedback from many knowledgeable individuals (Hartford Faculty Mentors and Hartford Faculty Scholars) that helped me focus my research and make it stronger,” Jenkins said. “My assigned mentor has been extremely helpful with the entire project.”

Cohen said the Hartford Scholarship, a two-year program, has provided her with many new opportunities she might not have been presented with otherwise. “I was able to receive funding from two other foundations to expand my research and given the opportunity to present at three national conferences.”

Cohen is working on an article for publication now and will be working on a Holocaust survivor documentary and presenting her work at an international conference in Paris this summer.

“I learned the incredible resiliency of people--their will to live, their will to love, their desire to give back and become contributing members of society,” Cohen said.
Jenkins also emphasized the various ways the scholarship impacted and strengthened him as a researcher, teacher, advocate, and administrator. He said, “I’ve met some amazing individuals and made some wonderful connections as a part of this grant. I believe it has helped me overall to mature as an academic.”

Jenkins said receiving the Hartford Faculty Scholars Grant has been one of the most amazing academic experiences of his life.

The impact of the Hartford scholarship not only gave Cohen and Jenkins the funds, resources, and numerous outlets to expand their research about the aging population, but it has expanded their knowledge in order to teach tolerance, which was learned from the resilience and survival of the elderly.

 

Read more about their work in TCU Endeavors.