Graduate Social Work Students and Wellness Ambassadors Join Lupus Foundation of America Bringing Lupus Education to FSU

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Two Fayetteville State University student organizations are partnering with the Lupus Foundation of America on their "Be Fierce. Take Control." campaign, including $10,000 in grant awards.

The Master of Social Work Student Association (MSWSA) and Bronco Wellness Ambassadors receive $5,000 each to increase lupus awareness through student led initiatives. Guided by their advisors, FSU Assistant Professor of Social Work Michelle Bates, Ph.D. and Director of Campus Health and Wellness Dawn Troung, Ph.D., the groups will host campaign events aiming to improve recognition of the multiple lupus symptoms and encourage individuals to speak with medical professionals. 

“I am excited to partner with the Lupus Foundation of America and Dr. Troung for this campaign because Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) are more likely to be diagnosed with lupus and raising awareness on our campus will positively impact our campus community,” said Bates. “Our hope is to empower our campus and community to advocate for their health. The MSW students are eager to collaborate alongside our wellness ambassadors on this advocacy effort,” she added. 

The Lupus Foundation of America launched the "Be Fierce. Take Control." campaign seeking to partner with student organizations at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) based in the United States. This digitally-focused campaign, which originally launched in 2017, was redesigned to grab the attention of young women of color online, where they often get much of their health information and may be researching symptoms. More information about the campaign can be found here https://befiercetakecontrol.org/.