Natasha Antoinette Tomlinson of Hamlet received her Master’s of Social Work degree during a Hooding Ceremony on May 8, 2009 at Fayetteville State University. Tomlinson entered the program in May 2008 as an Advanced Standing student which, due to academic excellence, allowed her to complete the program in one year.

In addition to Advanced Standing, Tomlinson was awarded the North Carolina Child Welfare Collaborative Scholar Award. This award is a full scholarship and stipend given to those students who displayed a sincere desire to work in the public child welfare agencies in North Carolina.

As a scholar, Tomlinson completed a 500 hour internship with the Moore County Department of Social Services. As an intern, Tomlinson performed full various services to families ranging from Intake to Adoptions. She also served as a member of the Prevent Child Abuse committee.

In March of this year Tomlinson journeyed to Raleigh to speak with the senators and representatives about the current state of public child welfare in North Carolina. Tomlinson was chosen to represent the Fayetteville State University on a student panel for the National Association of Social Workers. Tomlinson was afforded the opportunity, while in Raleigh, to speak with Representative Melanie Wade Goodwin about the North Carolina Child Welfare Collaborative and the benefits supporting such a cause will have on the rural work responsibilities, especially in Richmond County.

Tomlinson received a bachelor’s degree in Social Work in May 2008 from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke where she served as president of the Campus Association of Social Workers and graduated on the Honor’s List. Tomlinson is currently an active member of the National Association of Social Workers as well as the National Association of Black Social Workers.

Tomlinson is the daughter of Don and Doris Tomlinson of Hamlet.