Destiny Rust, MSW '24

By Catherine Donnelly

Destiny Rust, MSW ’24, is managing a myriad of activities in her final year at the UB School of Social Work.

In addition to her classes, she works part time as an associate counselor at Horizon Health Services and as a communications graduate assistant for the School of Social Work. She also is a WNY Prosperity Fellow and holds a Behavioral Health Workforce and Education Training (BHWET) Fellowship through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that supports her internship with Endeavor Health Services.

“I juggle all my commitments by staying disciplined with my planner,” Rust says. “But I love all of my experiences because they are unique – nothing is boring or monotonous. The Prosperity Fellowship is teaching me about entrepreneurship in the region, UBSSW communications allows me to be creative, Horizon focuses on substance use treatment and my work at Endeavor emphasizes mental health. Every day offers me new and challenging projects that will help me to positively impact the world.”

Originally from Malone, N.Y., a small town near the Canadian border south of Montreal, Rust chose to pursue social work after seeing the importance of the field after a significant health crisis in her family and an internship at Citizen Advocates Inc. She credits these experiences with introducing her to the variety of roles and responsibilities that social workers can possess and how they help others.

“My mother struggled to receive care while battling cancer. My aunt would step in and advocate for her,” says Rust. “Witnessing the importance of social workers advocating and providing care to patients was transformative to preconceptions I had about who a social worker was and what they do. Additionally, my mother encouraged me to be ethical, maintain my moral compass and advocate for my beliefs. All of those tenets are embodied in the field of social work.”

Rust came to UB as the first member of her family to pursue higher education. During her first three years at UB, she completed her bachelor’s degree in health and human services, two minors in counseling and psychology and a micro-credential in child advocacy studies. This coursework laid a strong foundation for her MSW studies.  
 
“I originally moved to Buffalo to live in a larger place. Someday, I hope to open my own practice in Western New York because of the opportunities in the area. My intention is to make a difference and to pay back all of the resources shared with me,” she continues. “Until I can launch that facility, I hope every employer I work with fosters an environment that helps its employees grow and be passionate about the work they do.”
 
Rust is a strong advocate for taking time for self-care. She is in a long-term relationship, plays the flute, tries to read a fun book every month and is planning to run a half-marathon this year.
 
“I need to keep my cup filled; otherwise, I cannot be present for others.”