Human Services Grad Returns to Hometown to Make a Difference

It turns out, going home was just what Juwan Mullen needed to do, and was meant to do.

Mullen, a 2014 human services graduate, recently returned to his hometown and accepted a position as school social worker at Seaford High School. He provides wraparound care for students, including short counseling, check ins, and providing and arranging transportation or other resources.

"I'm here to help these kids achieve and succeed however and wherever they want," Mullen said. "College was my way, but I understand it isn't everybody's way. We just want to get these kids to be where they want to be in a positive way."

Mullen freely admits he had a lot of roadblocks to overcome to get to where he is today – some were put in front of him by others, and some he initiated. He hopes he can lean on his past to help relate to students he sees today.

"I was here 10 years ago in the same seats, cafeteria, and auditorium," he said. "I feel like knowing someone who went here, who experienced the same things they are experiencing, could be beneficial to the students who go here.

"I want them to know they aren't alone, not in their experiences, struggles, academics, or athletics."

One of Mullen's earliest struggles came when he was told he was a special education student in elementary school. While he received tremendous support throughout his schooling, he said hearing that label made him begin to think negative thoughts.

"Once you are told you are special ed, you start to think things about yourself – I chose to disrupt, defy, and rebel," he said.

He was always a standout basketball player and that led him to enroll at Delaware Technical Community College after graduating high school. Without any obvious direction or idea on what he wanted to do in the future, Mullen changed his major a few times before settling on human services.

While playing shooting guard for Delaware Tech, Mullen scored 700 points and played alongside some very good teammates. While attending the College, he started to discover that he was actually a good student and started getting good grades for the first time in his life.

"Delaware Tech is very focused learning, the teachers are very involved in your academics, and the content is hard," Mullen said. "I really learned a lot at Delaware Tech that prepared me for the future."

During his last year at Delaware Tech, Mullen completed several internships and made Dean's List and President's List in back-to-back semesters. He credits Dr. Sandy Naumann for helping him through this "life changing" year, which allowed him to further his education.

After graduation, Mullen enrolled in Cheyney University, where he majored in psychology while playing Division II basketball and scoring over 1,000 points for her collegiate career. Once he graduated from Cheyney he had intended to play basketball overseas. But he learned he was going to have a daughter, and decided to stay in Delaware, move to Dover, and enroll at Delaware State University (DSU) to pursue his master's degree in social work.

"It was another intense program, and it was very rewarding," Mullen said. "Delaware State was me turning from a boy into a real man."

Mullen graduated from DSU in 2018 and began working as a family based therapist at Delaware Guidance Services, which provides 24/7 crisis services for children, youth, and their families.

Over the next few years his best friend from high school Jeffrey Akins would ask him to return to Seaford. Akins was getting involved in the community through different types of service and outreach, and encouraged Mullen to join him.

Unfortunately, Akins was killed in the summer of 2020. His death was an awakening for Mullen.

"It was just a sign that I needed to come back home, it's a community that needs me, and one where I can serve my purpose," Mullen said.

As he gets familiar with his new role at Seaford High School, Mullen is also continuing his educational journey. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in prevention sciences at Wilmington University.

"If the Juwan in 2011 looked at me today, he would laugh," Mullen said. "But it just goes to show that what we tell ourselves is important. I keep trying to defy the personal thoughts that I have, the thoughts we all have that try to limit ourselves."

Mullen feels like he has found a great home to make a difference, give back, and fulfill his purpose.

"I want our kids and community to know that things will get better, don't get stagnant on the fact of where Seaford has been in the past, but focus on where it's going," he said. "We have great leadership here at Seaford High School, and the outcomes that are coming will be symbolic of their leadership and the groundwork that the teachers and staff are laying."