Michael Jordan's $10 Million UNC Social Work Scholarship

Michael Jordan has donated $10 million to the University of North Carolina School of Social Work. The gift, the largest in the school's history, establishes the Jordan Family Scholars Program to support Master of Social Work students facing financial barriers.

The donation honors Jordan's mother, Deloris P. Jordan. It is part of a $10 million commitment made by Michael Jordan, a 1986 UNC graduate, to the school.

Support for students

The Jordan Family Scholars Program provides scholarship support to Master of Social Work students facing increased financial barriers to graduate education. Ten students have been named the inaugural Jordan Family Scholars.

Each inaugural scholar receives a $12,500 scholarship. Recipients have committed to staying and working in North Carolina after they graduate.

Two inaugural recipients are first-year Master of Social Work students Tali Bowe and Sydney Hines. Hines is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Bowe originally wanted to work as an applied behavior analyst before transitioning to respite care and then to policy-level work. She worked closely with a teenager who has a rare genetic disorder, accompanying the family to doctor’s appointments. Hines hopes to work in a legal setting. Through her internship, she has worked alongside lawyers to present mitigating factors in defendants’ cases.

Addressing workforce needs

The investment aims to make entering the social work profession more accessible. It seeks to strengthen the workforce needed to respond to challenges affecting children, families and communities.

North Carolina faces a shortage of social workers. Some estimates put the gap at up to 30,000 by the end of the decade. Coverage is thinnest in rural communities.

The state especially needs social workers trained for public-sector jobs. These roles support children, families, older adults, people with disabilities, individuals with mental and behavioral health challenges, and people moving forward after involvement with the justice system.

Celebration and personal motivation

The gift was celebrated at an event on October 5. It kicked off the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center's Global Research Symposium. That symposium was held October 6-7 at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill. Deloris P. Jordan participated in a fireside chat there, highlighting her work in Kenya.

UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said the school is grateful for Jordan’s generous investment. Roberts stated that Deloris Jordan’s lifelong dedication to children and families is reflected in this investment, which will strengthen the School of Social Work’s ability to improve lives across North Carolina and beyond. The gift will also support the Jordan Institute for Families and expand the reach of the Global Social Development Innovations Center.

Michael Jordan said his mother has always believed in the power of helping children, families and communities, and has spent her life putting that belief into action. Honoring her through this gift is truly meaningful to his family and to him. He stated he is proud to support the social workers who are on the ground each and every day helping people navigate challenges. He hopes this gift helps make it possible for more students to pursue this important work.

The Jordan Institute for Families was founded in 1996 by Jordan and his family. Its purpose is to help cultivate safe, stable, nurturing families over the life course. Ramona Denby-Brinson is the dean of the UNC School of Social Work.

Ten students were named the inaugural Jordan Family Scholars during the celebration.