MACON — Two Mercer University College of Professional Advancement graduate students were selected as inaugural Pre-Master’s Fellows as part of the National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative (NMHWAC).
Kaylah Keitt, from Philadelphia, and LaTosma McGhee, from Griffin, will each receive a monthly stipend while completing their clinical internships and will have opportunities for training in mental health and substance use treatment.
Keitt, a student in the clinical mental health counseling master’s degree program, will graduate in August 2025 and will complete her clinical internship at Laurel Heights Hospital in Atlanta. Keitt said her goal after graduation is to “make sure that I am serving communities that look like me.”
“I come from a neighborhood where mental health isn’t discussed,” said Keitt. “Every step I am taking, I am my own pathfinder. It is important that the National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative acknowledges and supports diverse conditions and future clinicians so we can enter into this field. I feel strongly about how important this work is and am excited to participate this year.”
McGhee, a student in the clinical mental health counseling master’s degree program, will graduate in May. She is also U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration Scholar and will complete her clinical internship at Riverwoods Behavioral Health in Riverdale. McGhee said her goal after graduation is to “ignite change within my community.”
“This fellowship provides interactions amongst fellow counselors and aids in allowing me to become a vessel for advocacy and awareness for mental health and individuals with disabilities that have been impacted by socio-economic factors,” said McGhee. “My plans are to provide the best support possible to individuals who are in need of services and treatment. There is a great need for mental health professionals that are passionate about their work.”
The NMHWAC aims to increase the number of qualified licensed mental health and substance use treatment clinicians, while enhancing diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement in patient-facing mental health and substance use treatment positions.
Mercer counseling programs were one of a handful of academic programs chosen in Georgia to be part of the new NMHWAC—in collaboration with Resilient Georgia—Pre-Master’s fellowship workforce program.
“We are excited to partner with Resilient Georgia and the National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative,” said Dr. Tyler Wilkinson, associate professor and Chair of the counseling department. “There is a significant need to provide counseling students with financial support as they complete their clinical internship experiences. Kaylah and LaTosma deserve selection into the inaugural cohort of the NMHWAC Pre-Master’s Fellowship program. I think the monthly stipend provided through the fellowship will maximize the students’ success and allow them to focus on becoming excellent professional counselors.”
