Social Works - Fall 2022

SOCIAL

Opening Doorways of Hope

Message from the Director

Karen Drew, MSW, PhD, LCSW, describes social workers as “Facilitators of Hope.” I was reminded of Dr. Drew’s words when we selected the cover for this year’s newsletter picturing our students working on a Habitat for Humanity home in Casper, Wyoming. Dr. Drew is a 2017 graduate of the University of Wyoming’s Graduate Social Work Program and currently serves as the Coordinator of Student Welfare in the UW Dean of Students Office.

The open doorway reflects the realization of the hopes of the family who will receive this home and the role future social workers played in fulfilling that dream. Looking at the wonderful smiling faces of some of the Division’s BSW students, I am also reminded of the hopes and dreams of UW social work students who are preparing to launch their careers to meet the challenges of our society working toward social justice, equity, and eliminating oppression. Often I am asked: “Aren’t you discouraged about the future?” My response is usually something along these lines: “While I share many of your concerns, I find never ending hope in UW social work students who have chosen to dedicate their time, talents, and energies to working to make a difference in the lives of others.” Each time I walk into the classroom, I am reminded of generations of social workers who are indeed “facilitators of hope.”

We are pleased to have two new social work educators join our faculty. Sarah Green, MSW, 2019 UW graduate, has completed her first year as the BSW Field Coordinator (see article on page 9). In August the Division welcomed Margaret Holland, MSW, PhD, as an Assistant Professor. Margaret is a recent doctoral graduate of Florida State University College of Social Work. Along with new faculty, we are also pleased to announce the initiation of a part-time MSW program on the UW Casper campus beginning in fall 2023.

I remain truly grateful to the hard working faculty and staff and the dedicated students who contribute to our high quality program. All of us are delighted to once again be back in the classroom. The COVID experience, though extremely difficult and stressful at times, did not impede our work and commitment to social work education and the continuing work of the profession. I also want to personally express my gratitude to the UW Board of

supporting the addition of a part-time MSW Program on the

campus.

we had much challenging work ahead of us, I

that change will happen and grateful to my

of Social Work

New MSW Program in Casper Designed for Working Adults

The Division of Social Work is pleased to announce a new part-time MSW Program to be delivered on the UW Casper campus. Designed for working adults the program will deliver a fully accredited Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) program. The part-time program builds on the existing expertise, resources, and experience of the UW Division of Social Work. The purpose of the program is to increase accessibility to graduate social work education with a second location on the I-25 corridor and in a part-time format. The program is also designed to meet the increasing need for MSW level social workers in Wyoming. The majority of mental health and substance use treatment in Wyoming is delivered by professional social workers.

According to Brent Picket, PhD, Dean of UW Casper: “The University of Wyoming at Casper has had the bachelor’s of social work program since the 1980s. It is difficult to find a social services agency in central Wyoming that does not employ our BSW graduates. Graduates are out doing great work in our community every day, which is why I am so excited that we are partnering with the Division of Social Work to add the master’s in social work (MSW) at UW Casper. The additional program advances UW’s land-grant mission and will help make the Casper area an even better place to live. Students in the MSW program will be able to access the Division’s knowledge and expertise, and do so in a way that accommodates the needs of those working full time.”

The part-time MSW program will offer both Advanced

Standing for individuals with a BSW degree from a CSWE accredited program and a Standard Program for individuals with a degree in another field. The part-time MSW Program will require Advanced Standing students to complete five semesters over two years rather than three semesters over one year, and the Standard program will be delivered in nine semesters over three years rather than five semesters over two years. The program is designed to be delivered in five weekends of classes per semester in a traditional classroom format with some electives being offered in an on-line format or synchronous Zoom delivery. Students will be able to complete their internships in their home communities.

“The Division is grateful to the UW Board of Trustees for their support and in particular to Trustees David True, Laura Schmid-Pizzato, and Michelle Sullivan who made our vision of expanding the program possible,” said Division Director Downey. “We also are indebted to UW Casper Dean Picket and his staff for their support and efforts to make the program happen.”

The first cohort of advanced standing students will begin in fall 2023. Students will be accepted for fall 2024 as either Advanced Standing or Standard Students. For more information about the programs go to the Division’s website www.uwyo.edu/socialwork/. There is also a link to the application and instructions on the website. The first round of applications are due November 7 for fall 2023. For additional information or questions, contact Eleanor Downey at edowney1@uwyo.edu.

Sandra Leotti Honored During Health Sciences Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony

During the UW College of Health Sciences Outstanding Faculty and Staff Awards Ceremony, held April 14, Dr. Sandra Leotti, an Assistant Professor with the Division of Social Work, was honored with the CHS New Investigator Award. This award recognizes educators whose research digs deep to unearth hidden facts and information not easily visible and produce detailed results and interpretation about a topic that helps students gain a deeper understanding of subjects presented to them. Leotti was nominated by her faculty colleagues in the Division of Social Work. Dr. Diane Kempson, Director of the MSW Program presented Leotti with the award.

Dr. Leotti’s record of excellence as

a scholar and researcher were evident early in her career with her dissertation: Interrogating the Construction and Representations of Criminalized Women in the Academic Social Work Literature: A Critical Discourse Analysis (2019). She was a finalist for the 2020 Dissertation of the Year Award by the Society for Social Work and Research in 2020. In 2021, she was the recipient of the Frank R. Bruel Memorial Prize for the best article of 2020 published in the University of Chicago’s Social Science Review. The article was based on her dissertation research. Further evidence of the national reputation she is developing as a researcher was an invited presentation in January 2022 at the prestigious Society for Social Work and Research titled Critical Discourse

Analysis as a Tool for Advancing Social Work Research: Special Session on Research Priorities and Capacity Building.

Since joining the faculty at the University of Wyoming, Leotti has published numerous articles in social work, social science, disabilities, and qualitative research journals as well as two book chapters, several book reviews, and numerous technical reports. Her research has been presented at regional, national, and international conferences including the International Congress on Qualitative Inquiry. Leotti has also been active in interdisciplinary research groups working with researchers from disabilities studies and communication disorders. As the Principal Investigator, she received a grant to fund a research project on archiving the experiences of individuals deinstitutionalized in Wyoming through the collection of oral histories. She has also collaborated with UW School of Nursing faculty addressing women’s health issues. It should also be noted that Leotti generously shares her research skills by mentoring students through her role as a thesis chair and thesis committee member. Leotti also involves students in the conduct of her own research.

Sandra Leotti, left, receives the New Investigator Award, presented by College of Health Sciences Faculty Development Committee member, Diane Kempson.

Professor Diane Kempson Honored for Half Century of Commitment to Social Work Profession

Diane Kempson, MSW, PhD, Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program at the University of Wyoming, was honored by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Wyoming chapter during its annual awards ceremony during Social Work Month (March).

As the recipient of the Greatest Contribution to Social Work Practice Award, Kempson was recognized for over 50 years of commitment to the values and work of the social work profession. Kempson was nominated by a number of UW faculty members and former students.

Kempson began her career as a practicing social worker in South Carolina, New York, and Idaho before entering a full-time academic career at UW in 2004. She has published numerous articles on grief and loss, presented a number of professional papers, and has taken the lead in conducting a variety of effective educational trainings. Kempson was also nominated for UW 2022 Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award.

“As a social work educator, Dr. Kempson has been responsible for educating and mentoring several generations of social workers for advanced generalist social work practice in rural and frontier settings,” says Dr. Downey, director of UW’s Division of Social Work. “Students and faculty hold her in high regard for her tireless commitment to social justice and anti-oppressive practice.”

Among the comments from students who studied with Kempson were:

In 2010, Kempson was promoted to associate professor and assumed a leadership role as Director of the MSW Program. In this role, Kempson has guided graduate-level students to assume leadership roles in social work in Wyoming and nationally. A number of her students went on to complete their doctoral degrees and become social work educators and researchers.

Kempson also is credited with developing a curriculum for the MSW Program that is theoretically sound and effectively practical in preparing students for the challenges of social work practice.

“I truly value Diane’s insights and intellect, not only about social work education, but also the challenges of today’s practice settings,” Downey said. “She has challenged me to think more critically and increased my understanding of the meaning of social work practice from a just practice and anti-oppressive perspective.”

Under the leadership of Liz Dole-Izzo, Executive Director, NASW Wyoming, the Wyoming chapter’s primary focus is to provide support to its members serving in rural communities throughout the state. Services include professional development, advocacy, member support and resources, and providing opportunities for professional networking. Billie Chapman, UW Division of Social Work Director of Field Education, is the current president of NASW Wyoming.

“She pushed me and allowed me to grow in ways I could have never imagined.”

“Diane really encouraged us to show up with our whole selves and to not shy away from talking about the big, important things in our lives and our lives in general.”

“I owe much of my achievement to Diane, thanks to her patience, her commitment, and her fierce belief in students.”

UW SOCIAL WORK CAREER FAIR HELPS CONNECT GRADUATING STUDENTS WITH FUTURE EMPLOYERS

Finding that first job right after graduation can sometimes be a daunting experience. For graduating seniors and advanced year MSW students, that task was made easier thanks to a Social Work Career Fair, held April 1, in the UW College of Health Sciences. The job fair was planned and organized by Billie Chapman, Director of Field Education and Sarah Green, BSW Field Coordinator.

The career fair hosted 15 employers from around Wyoming, and provided students the opportunity to learn more about potential places of employment and learn about positions currently available as well as future openings at various human service and government agencies.

A number of employers present at the career fair also work with the Social Work Program providing graduate and undergraduate students with field placements. Critical to job preparation in both undergraduate and graduate Social Work Programs is placement in actual work environments prior to graduation. Students are supervised by an agency professional staff member and participate in field seminar. This not only allows students to obtain ‘hands-on’ work experience, but also provides opportunity to make connections with potential future employers.

In discussing the importance of field education, Chapman stated, “Field Education is considered the signature pedagogy in accredited social work programs by the Council on

Social Work Education; this means field placements are the cornerstone of the education social work students receive in preparation to become professional social workers. We highly value the partnerships we have with agencies who provide field placement opportunities for our students. In turn, many of our graduates fill job openings that our partner agencies have at the time of graduation and throughout their careers.”

While challenges do exist for newly graduated social workers, a number of employers around the state already have at least one alumni from the UW Division of Social Work actively serving in areas such as child welfare, addiction treatment, mental health, and housing. These experienced alumni are a great resource in assisting new social workers beginning their social work careers. A number of these alumni were present at the career fair, representing their employers and answering questions from students.

Albany County in southeast Wyoming is home to a number of agencies where social workers assist individuals, families, and their communities.

Among those represented at the career fair were Safe Project, the Cathedral Home, and Interfaith. Each of these provides specific and many times confidential services to community members.

Alexa Becerra, a native of Cheyenne, is a graduate student in the UW Social Work program and graduated in

Left: Students attending the career fair were able to interact directly with representatives from agencies and employers from Laramie and around Wyoming. Above, from left, social work students Julia Cathey, Gillette; Alexa Becerra, Cheyenne; and Jamie Smiertenly, Highlands Ranch, Colorado, speak with Jeremy Silcox, seated, from Teton Youth and Family Services, Jackson, WY. Silcox is a 2001 alumnus of the Masters of Social Work (MSW) program.

spring 2022. “The career fair did benefit me because I was able to get an idea of different areas of employment that I hadn’t considered before,” says Becerra. “I also got a lot of questions answered about licensure and found out most of the employers at the career fair help with the licensure process and include supervision.”

“At this time,” notes Becerra, “I am open to any area in social work that isn’t specifically clinically focused, with my long-term goal being working with the immigrant/refugee population in any capacity.”

Events like the Social Work Career Fair and others sponsored by the UW Division of Social Work all help to round out graduating students’ education so they are better equipped to enter social work practice with the knowledge and competencies needed to succeed.

According to Division Director Downey, “I was delighted to interact with our graduates and personally witnessed their professional growth in their agency positions as well as the role many have assumed as field instructors. It is clear that the Division of Social Work is making a significant contribution to the welfare of Wyoming citizens. I am also grateful to Billie Chapman and Sarah Green for their hard work in providing such a successful event for our students.”

Division of Social Work graduates who returned to represent their agencies at the job fair are pictured with the Director of the Division. Front row, from left: Alyssa Bjorkquist, MSW, Alzheimer’s Association; Megan Wild, MSW, Greater Wyoming Big Brothers Big Sisters; Jennifer Lindstrom, MSW LIV Health. Back row, from left: Jessica Jaycox, BSW, YES House; Dr. Eleanor Pepi Downey, Director; Natalie Villalabos, MSW, CRMC Outpatient Behavioral Health Unit; Jeremy Silcox, MSW, Teton Youth and Family Services.

Field Education is considered the signature pedagogy in accredited social work programs by the Council on Social Work Education; this means field placements are the cornerstone of the education social work students receive in preparation to become professional social workers.”

– Billie Chapman, Field Education Director

Social Work Students Learn How to Interact With Other Health Professions in Delivering Patient Care

During the course of the UW spring semester, eight students from the DOSW joined students from the disciplines of Pharmacy, Medical Education, and the School of Nursing, to better understand how these health professions interact with caring for patients. Several Interprofessional Education (IPE) events take place during the school year, with at times over 70 students in attendance along with faculty facilitators.

IPE is described as occasions when students and educators from two or more professions in health and social services learn together as part of their professional training with the purpose

of cultivating collaborative practice for providing client or patient-centered healthcare.

An example of how to help students understand interactions between different health professions involving patient care, students at one of the IPE events were presented with a hypothetical clinical situation involving a patient with both physical and possible addition disorders.

Students were asked how various stages of treatment would be administered and when. This enabled all disciplines in attendance, Social Work, Pharmacy, Medical Education and Nursing, to better understand

At far right, MSW student, Joshua Wells, discusses clinical outcomes of patient care with students from other healthcare disciplines.

their roles in caring for this patient.

“I am so proud of what they did and how they contributed during our IPE today,” says DOSW Assistant Lecturer, Kym Codallos, speaking about Social Work students attending the IPE event. “All I have to say is WOW! There was even a point where I was going to mention about allowing the patient to decide if she wants to quit smoking, and Kate took the words right out of my mouth! Kate, I couldn’t have been prouder in that moment. You all slayed it out there. We truly have amazing students! Thank you for participating today and representing us out there.”

Codallos is a member of the UW College of Health Sciences IPE. Committee members in addition to Codallos, include Dana Govaerts, Assistant Clinical Professor with WWAMI Medical Education; Antoinette Brown, Coordinator of Experiential Education with the School of Pharmacy; Esther Gilman-Kehrer, Clinical Associate Professor; and Nancy McGee, Clinical Associate Professor with the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing.

Along with Kym Codallos (center), Social Work students attending the IPE event included from left: Skye Avalon Skinner, Kate Norman, Nikki Ferri, and Madison Strohschein. They are all juniors in the BSW Program.

Welcoming New Faculty

Sarah Green, MSW, was welcomed into the Division of Social Work in August 2021, as an Assistant Lecturer and BSW Field Coordinator. A longtime Wyoming resident, she has lived in Laramie for the last 11 years having completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Criminal Justice, and Social Sciences at UW in 2015, and her MSW from UW in 2019. According to Green, “I took the job with UW because it allowed me to practice in all areas of social work: the micro, mezzo, and macro. Having experience in federal grants administration, I became extremely passionate about intentional service provision that situates communities to better respond to and reduce inequities and appropriately respond to social determinants of health. However, I also craved the

relationship building and the profound growth that can come from micro practice work.”

In addition to her academic duties, Green is continuing her social work practice by spending several hours per week at Albany Community Health Clinic working directly with services users. She also serves as a field instructor to both graduate and undergraduate social work students and is currently the advisor to Phi Alpha,

the social work honor society. Prior to her work at UW she has worked with youth and families in crisis, federal grants administration, and more recently clinical practice. In describing her new position Green stated: “Becoming an assistant lecturer with the Division of Social Work allowed me to walk side-by-side with students on their journey through the program, encourage their growth, and aid in the expansion of their thinking.” She also enjoys engaging with communities through the field instruction and coordination, teaching a macro course, and becoming more involved with the diverse and compassionate communities at UW and the larger Laramie community. “I think the best part of this job is that I am constantly learning alongside my students. I learn so much from them, and the ever-changing society in which we live requiring social workers to be flexible and evolving.” When not engaged in her UW duties, Green enjoys cooking, reading, woodworking, and walking and playing with her dog, Maverick.

From left: UW College of Health Sciences retired Dean and Professor David Jones, Distinguished Alumnus Ray Pacheco, and Division of Social Work Director Eleanor Pepi Downey.

RAY PACHECO 2021 SOCIAL WORK

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS

Ray Pacheco was selected by the faculty of the Division of Social Work as their 2021 Distinguished Alumnus. A 2011 Masters of Social Work (MSW) graduate of the University of Wyoming, he is currently the Senior Director of Programs and Community Engagement for the newly formed Natrona County Health Trust. The Trust provides grant funding, technical assistance, and advocacy in partnership with Natrona County nonprofits. According to Pacheco, “This position provides me with the opportunity to utilize my social work skills and experiences to work toward systemic community change that will directly affect human dignity and individual empowerment.”

In addition to his professional position, Pacheco is very active in the Casper community. He has served on the Casper City Council since 2014 and in January 2022 was elected the Mayor of Casper for the second time and had also previously served as ViceMayor for the City. Pacheco has supported the Division of Social Work as a field supervisor for UW social work students in Casper while the Director of Gear Up on the Casper Community College campus. His other community activities include serving on the Economic Development Joint Powers Board, City Council Liaison to Casper’s Council on People with Disabilities, the LGBTQ Advisory Committee, and the Youth Empowerment Council.

Dr. Nicholas Whipps alongside Stephanie Miller.

Stephanie is the recipient of this year’s Veteran’s Center Service Award.

Stephanie Miller Recipient of Casper College Veterans Club Service Award

Stephanie Miller, a 2022 BSW graduate, was the recipient of the Casper College Veterans Club Service Award. The award is given to “an individual who goes above and beyond the call of duty in every way possible to serve the veterans of Casper College.”

According to Dr. Nicholas Whipps, Director of the Casper College Veterans Center, in presenting the award stated: “For those of you who know Steph, she is the embodiment of this award. She has changed the lives of many students at Casper College and has left a foot print on this program that will last forever.” Stephanie is the first non-veteran to be a recipient of this award. The Casper College Veterans Center was recently recognized as one of the nation’s most Veteran friendly campuses.

Stephanie completed her field placement at the Casper College Veterans Center. During her time with the Center, Stephanie worked to improve access and increase student veterans’ access to services and support on the Casper College campus. She was instrumental in creating a survey that improved the P.A.V.E. (Peer Advisors for Veteran’s Education) program. According to her field instructor Shelby Garstad, “Stephanie clearly

demonstrated the alignment of service work and advocating for her clients during her practicum.” Garstad went on to say: “Stephanie is a strong advocate, she is resourceful, she is a self-motivator, she takes initiative, and is not afraid to work hard.”

In addition to her practicum responsibilities, Stephanie also serves on the Board of Directors of Joshua Store House, a local agency fighting food insecurity, and also works as a volunteer planning events while encouraging veteran students to volunteer for the agency.

Pictured at left: Stephanie Miller, Dr. Nicholas Whipps, Casper College student veteran Johnathan Lucas, and Savanah (a service dog that is part of Project Kenny) on their way to the Veterans Home in Buffalo, Wyoming.

“She [Stephanie Miller] has changed the lives of many students at Casper College and has left a foot print on this program that will last forever.” – Dr. Nicholas Whipps

Creativity and Competency

Jazzing Up Social Work

Soren Ostergren, UW senior in the Division of Social Work, wrote the following essay as an assignment in Professor Kym Codallos’ social work ethics class.

THIS I BELIEVE

I believe that creativity and competency are qualities that go hand in hand for success in approaching difficult, surprising, and challenging situations in every aspect of life. I see this in my life, both as a jazz performer and as an aspiring social worker. Though seemingly unrelated at first glance, I see many similarities between these two passions in my life.

Some of the defining characteristics that distinguish jazz from other genres of music is its emphasis on improvised solos and its complex harmonic structure. It seems counterintuitive to pair some of the most difficult musical terrain with the expectation for virtuosic improvisation but this is where the elements of creativity

and competency come into their dual importance. To play an outstanding solo, you must be creative, inventing and communicating new, exciting, beautiful, and meaningful ideas. You also must be competent: without knowing the chords and structure around you, you will invariably play wrong notes and rhythms. In the unison of these two principles, creativity and competency, jazz musicians flourish.

These values of creativity and competency are also essential in social work. Competency, named as a core value of the profession in the NASW Code of Ethics, is a key value to hold as a social worker. In order to successfully serve clients, navigate ethical dilemmas, and understand the

systems in which we all exist, a social worker must be competent. Perhaps less obviously, however, is the need for social workers to be creative. Whether it be in finding creative solutions and resolutions to problems, creating new services to serve previously undersupported populations, being creative in looking at all aspects of a client’s life, or anything in between, creativity is essential to a social worker’s success. Again, as in jazz, creativity and competency are two halves of a whole, and in their combination, they foster success.

I believe in the power of these two elements in tandem. Creativity alone flounders, and competence alone is stagnant. Through a synthesis of these principles, one unlocks success.

Soren Ostergren has been playing trumpet for 12 years and been a member of several UW Jazz Ensembles and Jazz Choir as well as “busking” in several cities and countries around the world. In addition to his musical activities, he is Co-President of the Associated Students of Social Work and will complete his social work internship at Interfaith in Laramie this year. He has also appeared as a contestant on NPR’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me” and recently placed 23rd in the Global Whistling Contest. Soren’s hometown is Fort Collins, Colorado.

International Social Welfare:

Victoria Palace Theatre. They also visited less well known sites including: Brixton Borough, an international market with a rich history of civil rights and culture; the Southhall Gurdwara, a Sikh temple; Hughenden Manor, home of Benjamin Disraeli, the first Jewish Prime Minister and later a WWII intelligence site; and a workhouse that served as housing for those living in abject poverty for nearly two centuries. Each location was rich with history and the stories of different individuals who either worked for, created, or experienced different forms of social welfare throughout history.

By Maia Marces

The London Study Abroad Social Work class has returned home! Organized and led by Dr. Neely Mahapatra, Associate Professor of Social Work, the study abroad “International Social Welfare: A British Perspective” took UW students to London for two weeks in late May to learn about the history of social welfare in Britain, with a focus on the 18th century to the present. According to Dr. Mahapatra, “In an increasingly multicultural and interconnected world, our study abroad program offers UW students an opportunity to immerse themselves in a diverse culture’s worldview and understand different perspectives as they align with the internationalization efforts at UW.”

The group of fourteen students drawn from social work, political science, nursing, sociology, and anthropology engaged in a first-hand educational process. The educational experience was co-lead by former UW Social Work faculty member Carolyn Haney. The group visited a number of iconic London sites including the Tower of London, Parliament, Big Ben, and the

The students learned about themes of social progress: the ways in which capitalism has grown and produced the need for innovative social welfare throughout the centuries, the empowerment of people; the structures in which social welfare has evolved alongside capitalism, often to try and fill the needs that are left unmet by capitalism. Students were further

Brixton Immigration Walking Tour

Workhouse in Southwell

A British Perspective

introduced to cultural perspectives that have shifted with the rise of democracy, colonialism, and globalization, and the impact on social service delivery systems. In addition to an historical perspective, the students had the opportunity to talk with current British Social Workers and workers at Southhall Black Sisters, a domestic violence resource center.

Dr. Mahapatra underscored the importance of the community component of the trip: “Responsiveness and understanding of worldwide issues including the impact of history, cultural paradigms, policies, and theories of community practice and research are relevant to social work students and students in other disciplines to learn and apply to practice in their communities.”

Students’ own words best describe this international experience:

“On this trip I got to broaden my understanding of social systems and also meet people that changed the way I viewed the world.” (Darrah Short, Social Work major)

“Before going on the trip, my understanding of social work was restricted. Having the ability to see social work firsthand made a world of difference than reading it out of a textbook. The trip has given me a different view on how different countries handle social work compared to the United States and how they can be similar as well. The advice I would give an individual: have an open mind, experience new things, create new bonds, and have fun doing so.” (Cody Johnson, Criminal Justice major)

“This trip has made me a better student and a better person and will make me a better social worker. The cultural aspects of this trip and being able to immerse myself in a different culture and learn different ideas and ways of living and approaches to social challenges and their solutions have enriched my journey of cultural competence and creativity. I am very patriotic and understand more deeply how young our country is by comparison and have an appreciation for our history in Britain and newer history in the United States. The world has become smaller to me and more accessible to explore because of the confidence it has given me.” (Rachel Riter, Social Work major)

“I am delighted we can offer this type of international experience for UW students to expand their world views and their knowledge,” said Dr. Downey. “I am also grateful to donors like Martha Pheneger whose generous contributions to the Student Success Fund provided scholarships for students who ordinarily might not be able to participate in an international educational experience.”

In front of Hughenden Manor house in Buckinghamshire that belonged to former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

Graduate Social Work

BSW Graduate Social Work (UW Casper campus)

Undergraduate Social Work (Laramie campus)

Social Work Students Help Build Habitat Home in Casper

events where we can volunteer and participate.” The organization has volunteered with numerous community organizations, conducted food and diaper drives, provided supportive phone calls during COVID, visit nursing homes, engaging in community clean-ups during Earth Day, and numerous other volunteer projects on the UW and UW Casper campuses.

Recently the Casper and Laramie ASSW Clubs joined forces to work together on planning joint projects. The Laramie group traveled to Casper for a joint leadership meeting earlier this year in order to share ideas and opportunities. Most recently Laramie students traveled to Casper to join with the Casper students to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, an international “nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. We believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities.” (www.habitat.org).

The Associated Students of Social Work (ASSW) is a service organization composed primarily of undergraduate social work students but is open to students of all majors. Kym Codallos, Assistant Lecturer, serves as the faculty advisor to the Laramie cohort and Greta Maxfield, Assistant Lecturer, is the advisor to the Casper cohort. Laramie Co-President Kristina Angeloff describes the purpose of ASSW: “An important part of the organization is to give back to our community, and one way to do that is through volunteer work! At the beginning of each semester members get together with our executive team and plan around community

The president of the ASSW Casper group, Guy Harris, coordinated a day for both clubs to assist in building a house! The Casper cohort took the morning shift from 9-12 and the Laramie cohort took the afternoon shift from 12-4. According to Angeloff, “we got to hammer in nails around the frame. We got to learn so much about Habitat for Humanity as an organization and what they do for the community, and we even got to meet the woman who will get to live in the home! It was truly an amazing experience to get our hands dirty and work together to better the community! It was an incredible experience.”

Student Success Fund Expands Professional Development

Last summer the Division of Social Work launched the Social Work Student Success Fund; the Fund was also part of the UW Day of Giving. As result of the campaign, the Division raised over $4000 to initiate the fund. An anonymous donor matched the funds with an additional $1000. The purpose of the fund is to increase opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate social work students that will broaden their educational opportunities and expand their professional development. The fund will be used to increase student involvement in professional organizations, attendance and participation in local, state, and national conferences,

participation in international experiences, funding student research, financing special student events, and providing emergency funds for students.

This past year the fund was used to assist students to participate in the NASW Wyoming Conference, support a student research project, partially cover the cost of drug screens and background checks for field students, assist with travel to field education sites, participation in study abroad opportunities, and provide emergency grants to assist students in maintaining internet connections and much, much more. Greta Maxfield, chair of the Division’s Student Affairs Committee, and her committee

reviewed each application and made recommendations for the dispersion of funds. According to Division Director Downey, “I am delighted to see the support we received and the fact that these student grants may be small, but each one makes a difference in the life of a student. I am grateful for all of the folks who chose to donate ranging from $10.00 to over a $1000. I am particularly touched by faculty and staff who chose to contribute to the fund as they already are giving so much of their time and talents to the program.”

Please consider making a donation by scanning the QR code or visiting

bit.ly/giving_social-work. No contribution is too small.

Pictured above with ASSW Casper Advisor Greta Maxfield, (second from the left) are students who worked on building the Habitat for Humanity home.