What was about Catholic University and NCSSS specifically that made you want to study here?
I really wanted to be a social worker, and attending a Catholic school was also important to me. Catholic University was unique in that it offered a Bachelor’s in social work and was a faith-based institution. And when I looked more into the school it also had a clear service and justice aspect to the university that I felt gave me a broader view of the social work profession. Many schools have social work programs, but Catholic offered an immersive experience that allows for the intersection of faith and service. Being able to learn about social work in the heart of DC while also bridging faith and reason also helped my decision.
What inspired you to join the social work profession?
Growing up my family was supported by social workers. My dad faced sickness and because of that, we experienced financial issues. I grew up surrounded by social workers, and those in the helping profession, because I saw how they supported me and my family. I was inspired by the role that they played in my life and the care they provided me, my siblings, and my parents. It was a unique kind of care that I wanted to be able to give to others.
Could you speak on how your experience working with social workers growing up improved your family life or stabilized it?
My dad was on my dialysis and navigated a variety of health issues prior to his passing. He was in and out of hospitals for the better half of my childhood and adolescence. My first exposure to social workers was observing how they interacted with my dad. They provided him with such dignifying care. Dignifying is the word I keep thinking about because of how truly supportive of him they were, and how they upheld his innate dignity despite him having to go through some of the most vulnerable challenges and difficulties. Throughout middle school, I was more aware of the impact of school social workers and social workers at my church, who provided financial assistance and emotional support as well. Throughout some of the most challenging experiences for my family, we were surrounded by social workers and those in the helping profession, and I would not have gotten through it without them.
After you graduated from NCSSS you moved to New York for work. Why did you pick New York and what work were you doing there?
I'm from New York, so after getting my BSW from NCSSS, I decided to move back home and sort out what I wanted to pursue next - an MSW, a year of service, or a different degree. So I started working as a Housing Case Manager at Catholic Charities of Long Island, where I was working with unhoused individuals and families. It was made clear while doing that work that I was called to pursue an MSW, so I enrolled in Fordham's program and started school that following August. I ended up completing my field placement at an outpatient mental health clinic where I was conducting psychotherapy for adults and children with developmental disabilities. I enjoyed being there but it wasn’t necessarily aligned with my original interests, as I was more interested in working with groups and communities. However, this placement laid the foundation for the next step in my career following graduate school.
Once graduating with my MSW, I became a Licensed Psychiatric Social Worker in New York State and began work on my county’s Mobile Crisis Team. I worked on a team of about 8 social workers, who went out into the community to provide crisis intervention and assessment to anyone who was experiencing a psychiatric emergency or mental health crisis. This included individuals of any diagnosis, any age, any demographic, anywhere in the county. We’d assess their mental health functioning level, assess for risk, and assess if they needed further hospitalization. Our goal in each interaction would be to see if the client could be stabilized within their community- if so, we’d connect them with community resources and ongoing support and services. I loved that work and the ability to engage with my community in a unique way. I was on the team for about three years before transitioning to a new role where I assisted in the development of my county’s first Psychiatric Crisis Stabilization Center.
What is your role here at NCSSS?
I'm the Director of field education, which means I oversee all of our students who are in field placements. Currently, I'm working on updating our programs’ policies and procedures, and looking at ways to provide innovative field education and professional development opportunities for our students. Field education is a crucial aspect of successfully completing a degree in social work, and is key to success in the field of social work, that I am looking at what we can do to support our students and provide our students with formative experiences.
I’ve been meeting with a lot of new agencies in the community because I want to strengthen our community partnerships and offer new opportunities for students. One of my goals is to ensure there are ample opportunities available for our students to gain social work competency across any setting. If a student has an interest in a particular setting, even if it's niche, I would love to be able to locate a placement opportunity for them.
What is special about NCSSS?
I had such an incredible and formative undergrad experience here, and I think, even after these years, it still feels the same. The intersection of faith, service, and social work is evident. And it really is unique that the Catholic social teachings on service, justice, and human dignity, are regularly translated in the field of social work and in how we train social workers. But the other thing that I love about this school is the faculty. The faculty here is amazing. We have experts in clinical work and macro work. And everyone just brings a wealth of knowledge. The faculty here really enriches what we can offer students and teach and lead by example.
When I was a student it was apparent that there was a focus on supporting students as much as possible because that's a core component of social work. Now on the administrative side of it, I feel this even more. The faculty and staff do whatever we can to support the student in their journey, meeting them where they are to reach their educational and professional goals.
Do you have any advice for future NCSSS students who might be anxious about what lies that after graduation?
I think a lot of students focus on needing the “right” placement to get the right job. Or they need the perfect placement to land the perfect job post-MSW. I felt that way only a few years ago! What’s great about the social work profession and field education is that we are not necessarily focused on developing a single skill set or preparing you to be in one specific job. This field, and the potential of the field, is so vast and ever-changing. We are lucky enough to be practitioners in a profession that is a lifelong journey of self-discovery and continual learning. I would recommend focusing your energy on building your comfort working with others, honing in on your professional skills, finding your identity and style, and building your network of knowledge. By doing that, you’ll be able to enter the field more confidently with a strong set of skills that will allow you to participate the best you can, at this point in your career.