2025 Graduation Speakers

BS Student Speakers

Ruirui Chen

Ruirui Chen is an emerging leader at the intersection of social work and policy innovation. A graduating international student at NYU Silver, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership, serving for three years in the Undergraduate Student Government Association and currently as Co-President. She also serves as President of I Recognize You, an initiative that empowers womxn of color through peer support, leadership development, and community building. Under the mentorship of Dr. Peggy Morton, Ruirui is conducting an independent study focused on Alzheimer’s disease and elderly well-being, deepening her expertise in aging and long-term care. Her work with New York State Assembly Member Harvey Epstein’s office has centered on constituent services in elderly well-being, housing affordability, and health equity. Motivated by a passion for combating poverty and improving the well-being of older adults, Ruirui is committed to advancing policy solutions that promote equity, social justice, and lasting systemic change.

Alexa Vanegas

Alexa Vanegas is a graduating senior at New York University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Social Work with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. Throughout her time at NYU, Alexa has remained dedicated to student advocacy and mental health awareness. She serves as Co-President of the Undergraduate Student Government Association at NYU Silver, where she leads a team of student representatives and works closely with university administrators to elevate student voices and improve campus life. She also represents the Latinx Social Work Student Organization as an Undergraduate Representative, helping create culturally affirming programming and support for Latinx students. Alexa’s academic work has earned her a place on the Dean’s List, and her coursework reflects a deep interest in social justice, youth development, and inclusive mental health care. Alexa plans to continue her education in the field of social work, with a focus on supporting children and adolescents.

MSW Student Speaker

Abiola Brooks

Abiola is a proud BS graduate of NYU Silver School of Social Work where she recently returned to complete the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program. She is deeply committed to social justice, policy engagement, and legislative advocacy. Drawing from both academic and lived experience, Abiola is passionate about dismantling systemic barriers that impact low-income and marginalized communities. She is especially interested in increasing the presence and influence of social workers in policy and legislative spaces, believing their perspectives are critical to shaping equitable systems. Her future career plans center on advancing equity-driven policies and creating long-term change through legislative reform and advocacy.

DSW Student Speaker

Juhi Malhotra

Juhi Malhotra, DSW, LCSW is a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU Silver School of Social Work. Juhi identifies as a Sikh-American, mother, and has been a social worker for 25 years. Currently, she is a faculty lead instructor for the Practicum curriculum and coordinates the Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI) program. Her research and scholarship focus on the integration and balance of critical reflection in the teaching and learning process for both social work students and practicum instructors. She is the course developer for the Advanced Seminar in Field Instruction course, for seasoned clinicians, and is currently evaluating the impact of this course through a qualitative study. She teaches the SIFI, the Advanced SIFI course, and has taught practice courses for new incoming international students. Prior to her role in academia, she worked as a hospital social worker and administrator in psychiatry for 16 years.

PhD Student Speaker

Nari Yoo

Nari Yoo is a PhD candidate at the NYU Silver School of Social Work, whose research focuses on advancing behavioral health equity in digital contexts for immigrant and racial/ethnic minority communities. Her scholarship integrates social work, data science, and public health to examine how structural barriers and digital systems shape access to culturally and linguistically responsive mental health services. Her work is recognized by the Grand Challenges for Social Work, the American Psychological Association, and the NYU Migration Network. At NYU Silver, she served as the inaugural predoctoral fellow at the Constance and Martin Silver Center on Data Science and Social Equity and co-organized the Summer Institute in Computational Social Science. She will join the University of Michigan School of Social Work as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2025.