The College of Staten Island is celebrating two students who have been selected for the 2026–2027 Elizabeth Dubovsky Fellowship in Social Work, a professional development opportunity offered by The Staten Island Foundation to support the next generation of social workers serving the borough. 

RitaAnn Biscello and Ryan Ellman, both graduate students in the Social Work program at CSI, were among this year’s recipients of the fellowship, which provides support for social work students completing internships at Staten Island nonprofit organizations while pursuing their degrees. 

“Being named an Elizabeth Dubovsky Fellow is incredibly meaningful to me, both personally and professionally,” said RitaAnn, who currently interns as a Care Navigator at The Jewish Board of Children and Families. “Receiving this fellowship has a allowed me to focus more fully on an internship that is deeply meaningful to me and the community I hope to serve. Having the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a field I am passionate about, while also receiving financial support for that work, is something I am tremendously grateful for. Without this fellowship, balancing my academic, professional, and financial responsibilities would have been significantly more challenging. I sincerely appreciate this investment in my education and future as a social worker.”

RitaAnn previously attended Cornell University, where she graduated with a BA in Psychology and with a minor in Law.

Ryan, who is performing his internship at Integration Charter Schools, added “It’s an incredible honor to be selected for this fellowship. As someone who was born and raised on Staten Island, receiving this recognition is especially meaningful because it reflects my commitment to giving back to the community that has shaped so much of who I am today. I believe that everyone deserves to feel heard, understood, and supported, regardless of the challenges they may face. Being selected for this fellowship reinforces my commitment to these values and motivates me to continue developing the knowledge and skills necessary to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I see it not simply as an opportunity to serve Staten Island, but also as a chance to invest in its future. I hope to honor this recognition through my continued dedication to the profession and the individuals and families I hope to serve.”

Ryan graduated magna cum laude from CSI with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychology.

About the Fellowship

Established in 2022, the fellowship honors Elizabeth “Betsy” Dubovsky, the foundation’s first executive director, whose career in social work and commitment to community service helped shape the organization’s approach to improving quality of life on Staten Island. The program reflects her dedication to lifelong learning, collaboration, and strengthening services for local residents. 

Fellows participate in professional learning and networking opportunities throughout the academic year while gaining practical experience at nonprofit organizations. The program is designed to strengthen Staten Island’s social work workforce and help prepare emerging professionals to address the needs of individuals, families, and communities. 

Both RitaAnn and Ryan are looking forward to using the fellowship as a springboard for a future in meaningful social work.

RitaAnn will pursue a career in criminal justice social work, hoping to ultimately land with organizations like the Innocence Project or the American Civil Liberties Union, who contribute to advocacy and systematic reform. “I believe our criminal legal system has significant shortcomings, particularly in how it disproportionately impacts individuals experiencing mental health challenges, people with disabilities, and communities of color,” she said. “Meaningful change requires us to examine the systems and policies that perpetuate these inequities. I hope to be part of that change, whether through direct practice, advocacy, or broader policy reform.”

Ryan hopes to continue clinical social work within schools, with a special focus on supporting neurodivergent children, adolescents, and their families, including those navigating ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental disabilities. “One challenge I have become increasingly aware of on Staten Island is the isolation and uncertainty many parents of neurodivergent children experience when navigating special education, mental health services, and disability-related resources. I hope to serve as both an advocate and a systems navigator, helping families better understand the resources available to them while empowering parents to become confident advocates for their children’s needs,” he said. “I believe that rather than focusing solely on the challenges children may face, we should also recognize their strengths and work to create environments where they can succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.”

CSI Strong

Through their studies, outside work, and professional training, RitaAnn and Ryan are taking steps toward careers dedicated to supporting others and making a meaningful difference. They are both quick to credit CSI and the role that the Social Work program has played in their pursuits.

“The Social Work program’s attention to disability within social work practice has been particularly impactful, encouraging me to think critically about accessibility, inclusion, and the barriers individuals encounter when navigating social services and other institutions,” RitaAnn said. “These perspectives have been especially valuable in my work with justice-involved populations, where mental health needs, disabilities, and systemic inequities frequently intersect. I also appreciate the diversity of professional experiences that our professors bring into the classroom. It has reinforced that social work extends far beyond individual therapeutic interventions and can be a powerful vehicle for broader systemic change. Overall, CSI has provided me with opportunities to connect theory with real-world practice while continuing to develop my own professional identity and the direction I hope to take after graduation.”

Ryan agreed, noting “Pursuing my MSW has allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of how individuals are influenced by their families, communities, environments, and the larger systems around them, and one of the things I appreciate most about CSI’s Social Work program is its emphasis on connecting what we learn in the classroom to real-world practice. The Social Work program has not only helped me develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to enter the profession but has also encouraged me to think more critically about the role social workers play in advocating for individuals and addressing larger systemic challenges. I feel that my experiences at CSI have helped me find my voice as an advocate while giving me the confidence and foundation needed to turn my professional aspirations into meaningful action.”

RitaAnn and Ryan are two of four honorees who were highlighted in a recent feature by the Staten Island Advance. They are a shining example of CSI’s connection to the broader Staten Island community and the important role that integrative experience plays in preparing future social workers.