The Dr. Eileen F. Starr Endowed Scholarship

Dr. Eileen F. Starr was a dedicated member of the Master of Social Work Faculty in the Social Work department at MSU Denver, primarily teaching clinical classes, including the DSM and Crisis Intervention electives. She was the first in her family to receive a four-year degree and her focus was on providing clinical services to children, youth, and families. Thanks to that clinical work, Dr. Starr brought a wealth of experience and real-world examples to her teaching: she helped at both the World Trade Center attacks on 9/11 and with Hurricane Katrina, collaborated with Irish communities to conduct research on the “Troubles” and the impact of the violence on communities. After completing her doctorate, Dr. Starr continued her clinical practice while simultaneously achieving the rank of Full Professor at MSU Denver.

Dr. Starr was a passionate and engaging instructor, known for her vibrant lectures, rich stories, and lively discussions. She loved working with students and guiding them to success as social workers. She was known for her high expectations and confidence that her students could master the course content and APA standards. Her quick wit and deep appreciation for finding strength in every situation were evident to students and colleagues, who saw her joy and humor even when dealing with challenging issues. A brilliant scholar and social worker, Dr. Starr was also famous for her love of pranks and fun, spreading googly eyes throughout the office and taking time to be the Nurse Rowdy mascot for the college.

The Dr. Eileen F. Starr Scholarship honors Eileen’s legacy at MSU Denver, passing on her passion for clinical social work to future generations of graduate students.

You can contribute to the Dr. Eileen Starr Endowment Fund below. Thank you for your support.