Desirie K. McKay is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker by
trade and a Master of Social Work DePaul Alum (class of 2009). In fact, Desirie is a
student pioneer of the MSW program and was a part of the very first
cohort. Desirie earned a BA in Political Science, a MS in Human Services
Administration and a MSW in the Community Practice program. Desirie returns to
DePaul as a staff with a vast career background in social services throughout
the Chicagoland area. She has direct practice experience in child welfare,
substance use services, psychoeducation and prevention work with “at-risk”
youth, homeless services with both adults and children, and was a lead clinical
practitioner in a mental health outpatient setting. Additionally, Desirie
held three leadership positions as Program Director at a supportive housing
program, Director of Crisis Intervention and Supportive Services for an
emergency shelter program and most recently was Associate Director of Clinical
Operations for a federally qualified health center that emphasized care to the
most vulnerable. As a Training and Development Consultant for a non-for-profit,
Desirie also provided professional development opportunities for staff
city-wide in Housing First and Harm Reduction Program Models and Best
Practices. Today, as the Master of Social Work-Coordinator of Field
Education, Desirie looks forward to giving back to students some of what she
gained and will provide great support/guidance to students as they embark on
field education and placement endeavors in the Chicagoland area.