Through conversations with fellow students, I have identified three areas where improvements would significantly impact the student educational experience.
- Practicum
Experience - Curriculum
- Instructor
Quality
The school must ensure a quality practicum experience. Too many students end up in placements with inadequate supervision or a portfolio that does not develop their skills as social workers.
I know a student in a clinical placement who had no clients for half of their practicum. I know others with overwhelming caseloads and little supervision and have been told stories about practicums involving little more than menial office tasks that do not prepare students to be social workers.
Moving into the second year, students experience an obtuse placement process. We are provided with long lists of placements, often with little information about the agency. We are then specifically told not to contact any agencies until we’ve already decided to interview with them, leaving us interviewing for placements we would not have been interested in if given more details.
My specific proposals include:
- Publish student reviews of placement sites on InPlace.
- Provide a “placement expo” like UCLA and CUSF. This would allow students to meet staff from potential placement sites and get more information on available placements.
- Provide first-year students more voice in choosing their practicum.
- Survey students regularly regarding their practicum experience. Act quickly on negative reviews to resolve issues or change placements if needed.
- Regularly review placement sites and remove sites that do not provide students with quality supervision and a relevant portfolio.
The current curriculum does not adequately prepare students for clinical work. More focus is needed on evidence-based interventions that students can use to serve clients, especially at the beginning of the program. A couple of hours of training in Motivational Interviewing does not prepare us to provide therapy to clients who often have severe trauma and other complex issues. This is too often exacerbated by inadequate supervision.
I propose the curriculum be adjusted include more training on interventions. Three potential ways to do this are:
- Spend more time in practicum class focused on interventions.
- Integrate self-care content into the practicum class, freeing up an entire class slot.
- Spend the first 4-6 weeks of the program focused solely on developing clinical skills that can be used in practicum. Then continue the program as usual.
Students’ experiences vary radically depending on which professors they have. While there will always be favored professors and differences in teaching styles, currently, classroom experience ranges from “This is one of the most useful and engaging classes I have ever experienced” to “Attending this class is a complete waste of my time.” The biggest variety in quality of instruction seems to be amongst adjunct professors.
I propose that the administration actively review instructor quality based on both student feedback and direct observation. Adjunct professors providing inadequate instruction should not be assigned further classes. Permanent faculty should be given additional support and training as needed to improve instructional quality. However, should standards continue to go unmet, their contracts should not be renewed.
About Me
Originally from Chicago, I spent 10 years living in Washington DC before relocating to California, where I’ve lived for the past 11 years.
My career has long been about helping people. After college I worked on Capitol Hill, serving on the committee in the House of Representatives that passed the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, the original bill providing student loan forgiveness to those working in public service and non-profits.
I then spent thirteen years as a pastor, where my primary role was to help people build meaningful relationships and connections within the church. I have long believed that meaningful friendships are essential to our emotional and mental health. In these roles I also oversaw addiction recovery and grief support groups.
In 2022 I left the pastorate due to concerns over the exclusion of LGBTQ individuals and the growing tolerance (and often embrace) of MAGA ideals within the Evangelical church.
I then spent three years working in a shop building props for theme parks and sets for musical artists. It was a good landing spot while I figured out what was next.
Last year I decided to return to school to study social work. As a student my goal is to learn as much as possible so that I can best serve my clients and to support my fellow students in their educational journey. Our society is in desperate need of people who not only have a passion to help others but who are well equipped to do so.
To that end I have undertaken efforts like organizing the readings and assignments for foundation year classes and made a spreadsheet and reading summaries available to the student body. At Lobby Days I volunteered to lead a lobbying team and spent hours researching bills and training my team to effectively advocate with elected representatives.
I decided to run for Student Org because I see a need for changes in the program to better serve students and better prepare us to serve our clients.
Thank you for your time and consideration, and I would ask that you consider voting for me for Student Org Vice President.
Selected Experience
Therapist (Intern)
Telecare Corporation
- Provide individual therapy to adults with severe and persistent mental illness using CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and STAIR Narrative Therapy (manualized therapy for trauma survivors).
- Conduct biopsychosocial assessments, mental status exams, and DSM-5 diagnostic formulation.
- Deliver case management and coordinate care with multidisciplinary teams.
- Maintain clinical documentation in compliance with agency and Medi-Cal standards.
Fabricator
Another Direction Fabrication
- Build props, sets, and displays for clients including theme parks, toy manufacturers, and musical artists.
- Lead teams of contractors.
Director
Eastside Christian Church
- Led team of nine staff and 900 volunteers responsible for guest experience, volunteer management, community building, addiction recovery, and mental/emotional wellness.
- Developed biannual strategic plans for department and individualized tactical plans for staff.
- Oversaw $400k operating budget.
- Researched and wrote curriculum and trainings.
- Spoke to groups ranging in size from two to 2000.
- Launched and managed small group program for 2000+ individuals implemented by 300 volunteer leaders.
- Administered website, information management processes, and database systems for department.
- Achieved 18% y/y program growth and 16% y/y volunteer base growth, outpacing overall organizational growth of 10% y/y.
Online Communications Specialist
US House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor
- Researched and operated new social media channels to engage public and promote Committee agenda.
- Built website awarded a Gold Mouse by the Congressional Management Foundation and named Best Committee Website by National Journal.
- Wrote and produced online videos to advance committee message.
- Analyzed and reported online viewership statistics.
City Host (Intern)
Center for Student Missions
- Led groups of four to 50 middle school, high school, and college students from rural/suburban backgrounds seeking to learn more about urban life and volunteer with social service organizations in the city.
- Acted as a liaison between social service organizations and the Center for Student Missions.
