Alumni Spotlight

Our alumni are breaking barriers, leading industries, and shaping the future. From civil rights to STEM, from arts to entrepreneurship, we celebrate Bears who exemplify.

LaQuita “Keke” Cowart-Drayton (Bear c/o 2011), Howard County Fire & Rescue Services' (HCDFRS) First Behavior Health Coordinator!

Keke is the second woman to hold the title of Behavior Health Coordinator for a Fire Department in the state of Maryland and is the first African American and Indigenous woman to hold the title.
Prior to joining HCDFRS, Keke worked as a Community Support Team Lead and Substance Use Specialist in Raleigh, NC. She specializes in substance use support, crisis response/prevention, trauma response, suicide prevention and much more. She received her BSW from Shaw University in Raleigh, NC and her MSW from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC. Along with being a full time mental health advocate, she also previously was a dance coach and continues to teach dance classes. She is a dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc and Phi Alpha National Honor Society.
"I am so excited to be here and grateful for the opportunity to meet and work with everyone," She said when speaking on her new position. “I am beyond ecstatic to be a pioneer in building this program and can’t wait to see how what we build changes the Howard County Fire and Rescue Department & how first responders are cared for mentally in the future.”
When asked about how she feels to be among the first in her position she stated, “I am honored to be chosen and don’t take it for granted. I know this position is important and plan to give it my all.”