09/25/2024
Written by Lyric Wisdom
The School of Social Work takes pride in celebrating the achievements and goals of our wide range of alum. Dr. M. Josh McNeil, a doctoral graduate of the class of 2024, is a perfect example of the talent that drives change in the world around us. McNeil has made significant strides in different areas in social work to further education and provide tools for black men in mental health spaces.
After completing his undergraduate studies and working as a resident assistant at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU), he moved to Boston College and then New York before finishing at The University of Alabama and graduating with a DSW. Throughout this journey, he maintained a 4.0 GPA while engaging in various community service projects to advance his understanding of black men’s mental health.
McNeil has always been driven by his desire to make a positive impact in his community. From his hands-on work, McNeil wants not only to provide guidance to those who need it but also to be an advocate for collegiate spaces so black men are given the tools they need to thrive as best as possible. This would involve the creation of departments that employ black men and allow them to be the driving force in policy reformation while being a pillar at the universities to help dive right into the root of the issues facing the black community today. This, paired with focusing on policy change and not only alleviating the complicated situations but creating a world where they no longer exist, is the goal.
Dr. McNeil is one of the first four African American men to graduate from UA’s DSW Program.
For McNeil personally, he has engaged in various forms of mindfulness practices and is a yogi who wants to spread the importance of what the practice of yoga can have on the mind and body. McNeil’s goal is to share the profound benefits of yoga for both mental and physical well-being. He strives to integrate self-preservation techniques and emotional understanding to help others address mental health struggles more effectively.
McNeil has dedicated himself to bridging the gap in Black men’s mental health awareness, creating environments where they can recognize and address their emotions while also offering preventive solutions to avoid struggles where applicable.