MSW graduate honored with prestigious Tulane 34 award
A Master of Social Work (MSW) student from Tulane School of Social Work has been named one of 2026’s “Tulane 34.” Tulane’s most prestigious student award, the honor is given to just 34 distinguished students out of the nearly 5,000 who graduated in May.
Austin Ezzard joined Tulane School of Social Work as an Advanced Standing student in January of 2025 with the goal of developing his capacity to enact systems-level change. Just 18 months later, after graduating with an MSW and a Certificate in Disaster Resilience Leadership, he was recognized for his leadership, advocacy, and academic excellence.
As the Graduate Student Network’s Vice President of Education and Events, Ezzard coordinated six educational events for his classmates – bringing in experts on topics like reproductive rights, incarceration, and domestic violence. His crowning achievement was organizing the School’s inaugural Juneteenth commemoration, during which renowned social justice organizer Ms. Barbara Major gave a keynote address chronicling the history and cultural impact of the Black Liberation Movement in New Orleans.
“The interdisciplinary learning environment at Tulane challenged me to think critically about the intersections between social work practice, collective potential, systems change, and my own biases and life experiences,” said Ezzard. “The values of equity, human dignity, service, and integrity have long shaped the way I approached both my personal and professional life. This profession provided the framework to translate those values into intentional, evidence-based practice and meaningful community impact.”
And Ezzard did make a meaningful impact on his community – both at Tulane and through his MSW practicum placement at the City of New Orleans’ Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families (OYF), where he met with constituents and compiled research and data analysis to inform policy and budget decisions. He also led education and engagement opportunities for youth in the city, co-coordinating the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council and Junior Civic Leadership Academy and helping manage the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund, a $50,000 grant initiative intended to fund and elevate youth-driven efforts addressing climate issues in New Orleans.
“No day was the same at City Hall! Working with OYF showed me that social work practice varies and extends beyond direct service into policy development, program design, and systems-level change,” said Ezzard. “This work requires adaptability, flexibility, patience, and a commitment to continuous learning and partnership with the communities served.”
Leveraging his experience with the City of New Orleans, Ezzard landed a role within the City of Baltimore's Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success, where he will provide comprehensive case management services to families through the Baltimore Community Action Partnership. A true social worker, Ezzard’s goal now is to continue to learn, grow, and advocate for those around him.
“I hope to contribute to efforts that address systemic inequities affecting the families, deepen my practice as a social worker in public systems, and grow through ongoing collaboration with community stakeholders. Outside of this work, I intend to remain active in spaces that support my continued learning, critical reflection, and commitment to the advancement of causes aligned with equity and justices.”
