What brought you to UNI? 

Prior to coming to UNI, I worked in various social work settings where I gained case management experience working with many different kinds of populations and communities. Some to note include working as a Behavioral Health Consultant through the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, IA and as a Community Program Monitor in the Intensive Pretrial Mental Health and Jail Diversion Program through the Sixth Judicial District Department of Corrections in Cedar Rapids, IA. 

Currently, I have been working at the Sixth Judicial District Department of Corrections in Cedar Rapids, IA at the ANCHOR Center for Women within my Community Program Monitor role. I have worked with the Sixth since April of 2023 and feel as though I have found a place that allows me to implement the trauma-informed approaches I have learned both through education and hands-on-experience to create lasting changes for the clients we serve. I get to work within a multidisciplinary team of professionals who value trauma-informed and gender responsive approaches to working with our clients. 

What did you enjoy most about attending UNI? 

The flexibility and understanding of the professors we got to learn from made juggling working a full-time position, attending school part-time, and continuing to enjoy life outside of those things much easier. As a student, it meant a lot to hear the acknowledgment that many of the people in my cohort were working adults, felt validating. Additionally, the responsiveness that the professors offered was invaluable! Being an online-distant student, we did not have the same ability as students on campus to access in-person meetings. I felt that the professors always made themselves as available for us as possible through virtual meetings or phone calls if we needed extra assistance. 

How did you become interested in your program? 

The short answer is lived experience. I knew I wanted to go into a field where I would get to create an impact on people’s lives to lead them in the direction they wanted. I never imagined it would take me into the criminal justice world, but the intersections between social work and criminal justice are ten-fold! I am so grateful to have found a masters program that supported that blend. Additionally, this program having a trauma-informed emphasis was a huge draw for me as I think many people who seek out the support or find themselves working with a social worker, experience some sort of trauma in their lives (whether that’s little T or big T - social workers know!) and I wanted to have the best skillset I could to connect with clients and learn what modalities, communication, and therapeutic techniques would lead to the most impact for clients I both work with now and in the future. 

In what ways have you been involved outside the “classroom”? 

I am lucky enough to work somewhere that allows me to use my employment position as my practicum placements. Social worker programs have gone through some changes that have allowed this opportunity and I was actually the first “student/employee” at my job site to test this out. Throughout my program, my classroom has looked very different. My initial practicum was with my initial position with the Sixth as a Community Program Monitor for the Intensive Pretrial Mental Health and Jail Diversion Program. I started this position in April of 2023 and was supervising a specific caseload of individuals involved in the criminal justice system who had mental health diagnoses or concerns that were then referred to us from other peers, community agencies, attorneys, or even directly from judges. We would then supervise them throughout their time on pretrial release while we met with them weekly to go over their treatments, check in on how they were doing, and complete any other needs with them to divert them from criminal justice involvement moving forward. We would then verify their attendance with appointments and treatment and advocate for their community support and safety factors to the courts when they had court dates. My colleague actually did a presentation for the Iowa HHS website - if you’re interested I’ve linked it here. 🙂

Unfortunately, this grant lost its funding in our district in July of 2025 because of the changes with both HHS and the ASO of our county. I was then laterally reassigned to the ANCHOR Center for Women as their Community Program Monitor. The ANCHOR Center is a re-entry facility for women coming from prison, jail, or the community. The women can be of different release conditions within the community such as work release, parole, probation, and some federal statuses. Our goal is to provide trauma-informed gender informed practices and treatment for the women that lead to lasting changes for their mental, physical, and behavioral health. Part of my role is to be a liaison for services that the women may be interested in and coordinate services for them both at the facility and in the community. This looks like bringing in an agency to lead a specific workshop that they specialize in, assist in coordinating appointments and transportation for them, and practicing various therapeutic communication styles with evidence-based interventions that are tailored to them. The other half of my position is assisting with the education and implementation of the evidence-based treatment programs (STEPPS, ACTV, and WRAP) that are offered for the women to attend. My supervisors allow me to try new things and encourage me to research what interventions would be both beneficial and fun for the women to partake in. 

Which professors, mentors or advisors were particularly influential during your time at UNI? 

While I had many instructors throughout my program that were very skilled, the few that impacted me the most were Jennifer (Jenny) Becker, Elizabeth (Libby) Fry, and Jaimie O’Gara. Collectively, these women challenged me, provided me with constructive feedback, supported my learning, and encouraged me to keep exploring. I always felt supported through their classes and knew if I had a question, they would answer it as thoroughly as possible. 

Post-graduation plans? 

I will continue with my position as the Community Program Monitor for the ANCHOR Center through the Sixth Judicial District Department of Corrections in Cedar Rapids, IA for the foreseeable future. I feel I have not only found my people, but also what fills my cup. I do plan to try to find something part time where I would get to use my MSW or LMSW (once I pass the licensing test). 

How did the UNI MSW program help prepare you for these plans? 

The University of Northern Iowa’s MSW program provided a strong foundation that prepared me both academically and professionally for graduation. Through coursework grounded in social work values, ethics, and evidence-based practice, I developed a deeper understanding of systemic barriers, trauma, and social inequities. Classes emphasized critical thinking, self-reflection, and the application of theory to practice, which helped me enter my practicum with confidence and professionalism. The program’s focus on cultural humility, strengths-based practice, and ethical decision-making allowed me to effectively engage with clients who have complex histories involving incarceration, substance use, trauma, and family separation. Additionally, faculty support and supervision helped me integrate classroom learning with real-world practice and encouraged ongoing professional growth. 

Several skills and experiences from the UNI MSW program will be especially valuable in my future career. Clinical skills such as assessments, case planning, documentation, and client engagement were essential during my practicum and will continue to be foundational in my work. Training in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and strengths-based approaches has equipped me to support individuals navigating reentry, recovery, and reintegration with dignity and respect. These were also trainings that my employer hosted, which was reassuring to see that they recognize the intersections of these practices within the criminal justice system. The program also strengthened my advocacy skills and understanding of policy and systems, which is critical when working with marginalized populations impacted by the criminal justice system. Finally, the emphasis on self-awareness, ethical practice, and professional identity has prepared me for lifelong learning and leadership within the social work field, aligning closely with my ambitions to continue working in reentry services and social justice–focused practice. 

What advice would you give to students who are considering this program? 

You will find so much success in viewing challenges as opportunities. Come into the program with an open mind - you’ll have more fun and learn more that way! We live in an ever-changing world where we as social workers constantly have to be on our toes to adapt to the next change in policy, client crisis, or keep up with our documentation. Our job is to meet people where they are, but we can’t do that effectively if our own opinions are louder than our ethics. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share? 

Thank you to my family for always cheering me on and counting down the semesters with me. Planning trips all together won’t be so challenging now! A thank you to my fiancé as well as he always supported my growth and development through this degree and was always flexible with dinner plans due to late-night classes. Thank you to my pets for being flexible these past 3 years as I have balanced part-time school, full-time work, and having a social life! My dogs will certainly be thrilled they will get to go for more walks now. 🙂 To my friends who have celebrated every achievement with me (and sometimes more than me) - you are all rockstars and your support always made me finish a paper a little quicker so I could still have a social life with you all. Additionally, a HUGE thank you to my employer and supervisors for allowing me the opportunity to flourish, learn, and feel like I have found my passion through our agency and the work we get to do with our clients.