Taylor Marrs B.S.W. '20

For Taylor Marrs ’20, the spark that ignited his interest in social work arrived via the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Virginia. Marrs worked at the club near his Orange, Virginia, home before becoming a Highlander and joining the Radford University School of Social Work.

“At the Boys & Girls Clubs, I learned about the value of human connections and interpersonal relationships,” Marrs said. “Working alongside club members and clients was very appealing, providing me with incomparable experiences. Plus, it helped me discover that I wanted to use that experience in my education and career.”

Marrs researched three other social work programs in the state before applying to Radford’s Bachelor of Social Work (B.S.W.) program, but there were several factors that ultimately drew him to the New River Valley.

“I wanted to stay in one place for the entirety of my education, and Radford offered a graduate degree in social work in addition to the undergraduate program,” Marrs recalled. “That was important to me, because I wanted my education to have continuity.”

Marrs said the Radford community also played a role. He felt that Radford would provide him with exposure to a student body with unique backgrounds and experiences, different from his own, helping him expand his skills as a social work student.

While a B.S.W. student, Marrs discovered many opportunities to get involved beyond the classroom on campus. These experiences also helped him meet more Highlanders and expand his skills and experiences. He minored in sociology, and one of his favorite experiences was working with the Sociology Club.

“It was really great to be part of a group that took time to advocate for human rights and diversity, while educating one another on important issues,” Marrs said.

As he completes his B.S.W. fieldwork this summer at a equine therapy facility, Healing Strides of Virginia, Marrs says Radford University continues to provide him with oneof-a-kind experiences.

“The undergraduate social work curriculum has been instrumental in helping me develop into the professional I am today. I plan to continue expanding and implementing that knowledge, while working with clients through the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) program at Radford,” Marrs said.

Marrs expects to finish his M.S.W. and graduate in August 2021. After that, he plans to return to Northern Virginia, where there is a great need for social workers. Marrs says he feels his work will have an important impact as he works with clients in need there.

“In social work, the importance of relationships is an ethical principle that guides decision making during practice,” Marrs said. “Radford University has been an important part of my life when it comes to developing those relationships, and I know it will continue to be for some time to come.”