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 Director 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.