Miranda Lopez: First SOLAR Student Graduate

She had known since the second grade.

When adults asked Miranda Lopez the age-old question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” She always gave the same answer: social worker.

In 2022, Miranda achieved that dream when she received a bachelor’s degree in social work. Yet, after hitting that milestone, she vowed to reach another: a master’s degree in social work.

Two years later, Miranda is about to reach that goal when she graduates from Stony Brook University’s School of Social Welfare. She credits that early achievement to a unique academic program developed by the university and her employer Samaritan Daytop Village.

SOLAR Program Speeds Up Timeline

This month, Miranda will be the first to graduate from the SOLAR (Social Work Opportunities for Leadership in Addiction and Recovery) Program. SOLAR is the product of our educational/nonprofit partnership with SBU.

A Senior Case Manager at 53^rd Men’s Shelter in Manhattan, Miranda and a dozen other employees enrolled in the newly launched academic/work program. SOLAR afforded the employees the ability to stay at their full-time jobs while attaining a degree in social work. As a bonus, the tuition is free thanks to a grant from the New York Community Trust.

Exclusively developed for the agency, the SOLAR program combines a bespoke set of online classes, a flexible class (and work) schedule, and an internship at one of our programs. The part-time employee-students finish the program in three years. Yet, Miranda has zoomed through that timeline by completing it in only two.

It is no surprise to many that Miranda has accomplished her goal in such an abbreviated time. Her favorite mantra says it all: “There are 24 hours in a day. You have to use them all.”

Inspiration During a Time of Adversity

Social work has been a presence throughout Miranda’s life. Born into a family of 13 children (she was #8), Miranda experienced adversity early in life. She suffered from severe asthma, and often missed school. She also recalls her family was in upheaval.

Miranda briefly lived in foster care, as did her other siblings. When she was six, she and two others were adopted together by an aunt of theirs. Other relatives adopted the remaining children to keep the family together.

It was at this time that she met “Miss Dora,” the case worker who would inspire her lifelong ambition of becoming a social worker. “She was very engaged with us and would talk with us in such a way that we knew we could talk with her about anything,” explained Miranda. “Miss Dora always made me feel comfortable, and I always felt safe. It made me want to provide that same safe space to others.”

Employee Benefit Paves the Way to Grad School

When she graduated from Medgar Evers College at CUNY, Miranda was the first in her family to receive a four-year undergraduate degree. She did so while working two jobs and completing her mandatory academic internship.

When she dons the Stony Brook cap and gown on May 16, Miranda will add another degree to her list – also attained while working full-time and interning. As she explains, “I always make it work” – another favorite mantra of hers.

Yet, Miranda almost did not apply for the SOLAR program. She had been working two jobs for the past two years – initially to pay her way through college and afterward to save for grad school.

Even after landing a career-boosting opportunity at 53^rd Street Men’s Shelter as a Case Manager, she still considered both of her jobs as stepping stones toward her MSW. However, she had not yet set aside enough dollars to consider the financial challenge a school tuition would pose.

Her supervisor, Program Director Ernest Scott, and her co-workers urged Miranda to submit her application anyway. She hesitated and missed the first deadline. But an extension gave her a second chance – and the fateful sign she needed. After she was accepted into the program, she learned, along with her co-workers, that their tuition would be free as a new employee benefit.

The Creation of A New Advanced Standing Track

The SOLAR program was designed to keep the students together as a unit. Miranda had already completed her graduate-level foundation classes in social work while a senior at CUNY’s accredited program. Her colleagues had not yet completed those requirements. On the first day of orientation, Miranda learned she was eligible for a different pathway to an MSW – the Advanced Standing track.

Stony Brook’s Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Addictions and Online Education Dr. Melissa Earle, LCSW, and Samaritan Daytop Village's VP of Residential Treatment & Recovery Jim Hollywood, LCSW, worked together to craft a unique part-time Advanced Standing schedule exclusively for Miranda. She would take advanced-year courses and complete her internship hours at a program site. While creating the track, Dr. Earle and Hollywood also ensured that her academic and internship schedules would not conflict with her full-time job.

“During our initial meetings, Miranda’s description of her professional experience and commitment to social work was clear and equally as strong as her transcript,” said Dr. Earle. “It was a pleasure to develop an academic plan that would support her progress and growth.”

Solo SOLAR Student, Yet Never Alone

Unlike the other SOLAR students, Miranda embarked on a different academic journey – one which she would complete in two years instead of three. The first two semesters were exclusively online, while the remaining required Miranda to attend classes on campus. In comparison, her fellow colleagues took remote classes at night and on weekends, never needing to step foot on campus.

Fortunately, Stony Brook’s Manhattan campus was a miraculous 10-minute commute from Miranda’s job site. Every day, seven days a week, was a nonstop juggle of her job, internship, and school – with no day to rest. She was on a schedule and wanted to “make it work.”

Because of Advanced Standing, Miranda thought she was on her own. She admitted that not being able to join her colleagues in the full SOLAR experience was “somewhat isolating at first.” However, she soon realized she was not. From the beginning, Dr. Earle, who served as both instructor and advisor, provided the inclusivity and connection Miranda craved.

“I love Dr. Earle. Without her, I don't know how I would have done this. Whenever I had a question or concern, she was always available. She helped navigate me through the entire process. She's the best advisor,” exclaimed Miranda.

Dr. Earle was impressed with Miranda’s ability to hit the ground running. “Miranda was very quiet during the initial SOLAR advisory meetings,” said Dr. Earle. “As she found her footing, she also found her voice.”

Attending classes on campus soon became a new and enjoyable adventure for Miranda. “Because of the pandemic, I had not been in school physically since 2019,” she recalls. At first, she was nervous. Those jitters vanished when she met other students with whom she found common ground.

Dr. Earle added that over time Miranda fully integrated into the Stony Brook MSW experience. Miranda became a mentor to other students and made many connections with classmates and professors she met on campus.

“Miranda is someone I usually describe as a ‘quiet storm,’ which means that she may not always be the first person to speak or speak at length, but when she does use her voice, the power and impact of her words rain down on her audience. The world needs as many ‘quiet storm’ social workers as possible,” Dr. Earle explained.

New Achievement Leads to More Dreams

When Miranda graduated on May 16, she had a mixture of friends and relatives at the ceremony. The following day, she threw a party for her family, who traveled from four states to celebrate her.

As she looks back at her experience, Miranda feels good about her prospects for the future, “My motto has been to be the person I needed when I was younger. That was what drove me to social work.”

Next up, Miranda plans to teach as an adjunct professor, author a book, and start a podcast. Her ultimate dream: is to launch a nonprofit serving children and families. It may seem a big to-do list, but not for Miranda. She adds, “Do what you enjoy and genuinely love, and it won’t feel like work.”

For employment opportunities, visit our Careers page or email hr@samaritanvillage.org.