Featured Students of the Problem Gambling Coalition SW OH

Tara Bennett, Dayton OH, will complete SUMMER/FALL 2025 social work internship at Dayton Children’s Hospital. Received a 2024, $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.

Jessica Deese, CDCA, RA, TCYM, RYT-500, Ohio Prevention Registered Applicant, applicant for LCDC II, is earning the bachelor’s in social work at the University of Cincinnati graduating in December 2025.  She will complete internship at Divine Intervention Recovery Center in Summer/Fall 2025. Jessica is completing a 2025 Problem Gambling Prevention Intern where she will serve as the Problem Gambling Coalition Outreach Committee Vice Chair for Communications. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement.

Raymond L. Elam Jr. SWA, LCDC II, is earning the bachelor’s in social work at the University of Cincinnati graduating in August 2025.  He will complete internship at Haven of Ohio (Montgomery County) in Spring/Summer 2025. Raymond received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement. He will be attending the 2025 Ohio Problem Gambling Conference, Nationwide Conference Center, Lewis Center, Ohio.   

Jennifer Gagnon (Columbus, Franklin County) earned an associate’s degree in Art from Columbus State Community College in 2024. She is currently enrolled in the bachelor’s program for social work at the University of Cincinnati graduating in 2026. She recently applied for her Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor II and currently works as a Substance Abuse Counselor in Columbus, Ohio.  Staffed the UC School of Social Work table at NASW Ohio Chapter Conference November 2024. He received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement. 

Donna Johns, earned CDCA and working on GAMB [CR1] endorsement, Member of planning committee for Feb 27, 2026 UC Behavioral Health Job and Internship Fair

Mariam Soumare earned an Associates of Arts with focus on social work from UC Blue Ash College in Spring 2025. Mariam is a UC Blue Ash College New Student Orientation Leader. Mariam serves as 1 of the 2 Student Government Senators for UC Blue Ash College. She has earned the Ohio Prevention Registered Applicant and is a 2024-2025 Problem Gambling Prevention Intern based at UC Blue Ash College. She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement. 

 Mary Wiseman, (Lancaster, Fairfield County) earned an associate’s degree in human services in 2023 from Ohio University. She is currently enrolled in the bachelor’s program for social work at the University of Cincinnati graduating in August 2026. She obtained the Ohio Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant, Social Work Assistant and Qualified Behavioral Health Specialist 3Y in 2024. Mary currently works for OhioGuidestone as the Crisis Stabilization Residential Manager for ADAMH STARLight Center in Lancaster, Ohio.  She received a 2024 $1000 scholarship as part of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Learning Community and is earning the Ohio GAMB endorsement. Mary is a member of the NASW and sits on the Fairfield County Suicide Prevention Coalition.  She is a volunteer for Crisistextline.org and NAMI. Mary is involved in The Rivet Society and is a former Fairfield County ADAMH board member