Manasseh Begay

Manasseh C. Begay serves as program manager for Social Workers Advancing through Grounded Education (SAGE). The program recruits, trains and financially supports Brown School MSW students who are interested in completing three credits of their practica in Indian Country and is facilitated by the Buder Center for American Indian Studies. He works collaboratively with the Office of Field Education.

​While working out of the Shiprock, NM campus of Diné College, Begay assisted in building the social work program through collaboration and curriculum development that is currently in place. He taught and assisted in field placement, community social services and culture, and other introductory social work courses. Prior to his time at the Brown School, Begay wore many hats, spending time as a federal firefighter and as a San Juan County sheriff deputy.

​Begay is originally from Cibecue, Arizona and is enrolled with the White Mountain Apache tribe and also Navajo. Manasseh received his MSW from New Mexico Highlands University and his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from the University of New Mexico.

Manasseh Begay

Areas of Focus:

  • Mental health on Native American reservations
  • Clinical mental health
  • Trauma and trauma treatment