Destiny Bryant
Doctoral Student
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About
Destiny Bryant achieved her master’s degree at UIC’s Jane Addams College of Social Work as part of the college’s initial Social Work in Justice Systems cohort. She is a Licensed Social Worker with a background in restorative justice practices, substance use prevention and harm reduction, violence prevention, and general youth support services. Bryant is a doctoral recipient of the Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois (DFI) Fellowship. She is of Native American (Navajo), Pacific Islander (Samoan), and European (German and Italian) heritage. She strives to incorporate indigenousways of knowing into her personal and professional life.
Bryant is passionate about taking a solutions-focused and strengths-based approach to research. Her primary research interests focus on the impact of holistic support services for youth, families, and communities who are impacted by justice systems, generational substance use and trauma, and criminal justice reform. In her free time, Bryant enjoys spending time at Chicago’s Lake Shore to destress and enjoy nature. Most recently, she served as the program director for the Washington Park Community Partners Coalition with Grand Boulevard Prevention Services, a Chicago community not-for-profit organization.