What made you choose the University of Northern Iowa? 

I chose UNI because it was affordable while still providing a high-quality education. I wanted small classes and the chance to know my professors, and UNI really delivered on that. 

What have you enjoyed the most about your experience at UNI? 

The relationships and sense of community that I’ve built through my courses has been the most enjoyable part of my experience. I’ve always loved learning, so being surrounded by peers and professors who have that same passion is very fulfilling and gives me a lot of hope for the future of social work. 

What first sparked your interest in your major? 

I initially chose social work because the core values of the profession connect with my personal values, and I loved how many career options were available within the field. 

What have been some of your favorite aspects of the major? 

The most significant part of the social work major to me is the value that the entire department places on student voices. The professors are so willing to communicate with students and help out when needed. I had the opportunity to participate in research on implicit curriculum in the social work department with Professor Fry and Dr. Dickinson, which analyzes the yearly implicit curriculum survey available to social work students. With my involvement in this project, I’ve been able to discover the changes that have been intentionally made in response to student feedback. Changes like the social work lounge and student listening posts help create a really welcoming and collaborative environment that I’ve really loved from the student perspective. 

How have you been involved outside the classroom? 

The implicit curriculum research I mentioned above has been submitted to the annual Council on Social Work Education conference in Atlanta, GA, with another student and me listed as presenters. We are currently waiting to see if we have been accepted. Regardless of this conference, my involvement in the research taught me a lot about the logistics of research and the importance of recognizing implicit bias within social work. I feel this opportunity improved my ability to learn about my own implicit biases, so I am able to work competently with diverse populations, which is incredibly important as I look forward to my internship this summer. 

For the past year, I have had the opportunity to serve as a social and behavioral representative for the college, which has been a really fun experience! I love talking to prospective or incoming students and their families - especially when I get to talk to a possible social work student. 

The social work major also integrates volunteer hours into some of its courses, like Introduction to Social Work and Child Welfare Policy and Practice. I volunteered with Letters Against Depression, which is a virtual opportunity where you handwrite letters to people who may be struggling with their mental health. This was a great way to provide support and begin to understand the issues people face in their day-to-day lives. I also volunteered with my local elementary school, which was a really fun way to get more involved in my community while still applying course content! 

Which professors or mentors have had the biggest impact on your time at UNI, and how? 

I have honestly enjoyed all of my professors at UNI, but I would have to say that Dr. Velazquillo and Dr. Kysar-Moon have had the biggest impact on my education. Both of these professors really value student voices and are so easy to communicate with. Dr. Kysar-Moon’s teaching style during my statistics course gave me so much confidence that I had to take another class with her, Childhood Inequalities, where I felt both challenged and supported in the best ways. I’ve now taken three courses with Dr. Velazquillo and her Immigrant Communities and U.S. Immigration Policy course is my absolute favorite class right now. Even though it is an experimental course, the content included has deepened my understanding of immigration and the importance of macro-level social work. She has facilitated so many great conversations, and I feel her teaching style helped create a great classroom environment. 

What are your plans after graduation?

This summer, I will be completing my social work field experience with Pathways Behavioral Services at their location in Independence, Iowa. After my field experience ends, I hope to continue working in rural substance use treatment and become a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor before returning to UNI for my Master’s of Social Work. 

In what ways has UNI and your major helped prepare you for your next steps? 

UNI helped prepare me for my next steps by showing me the different areas within social work and supporting my interest through course planning that made sense, like my addictions treatment certificate and my mental health minor. I also really appreciate the combination of theory and practical skills. As I come closer to my internship, I've found myself studying a lot of the practical applications we discussed in my Practice with Individuals course and my Addictions Treatment course. 

What advice would you give to students who are thinking about pursuing this major? 

My advice is to keep an open mind throughout your time at UNI, and get involved with any opportunity you’re interested in. Social work is incredibly broad, so coming into the program with a narrow view of what you want could potentially limit you from opportunities or education you would benefit from. If you come across a guest speaker or an organization that you could see yourself being professionally involved with, reach out and get connected, even if you’re not 100% sure! 

Anything else you’d like to share? 

A special shout-out to everyone in the CSBS Dean’s office, I have loved working there the past few years and will definitely miss it after graduation!!