Community

Hometown: Arvada, CO

Program: MSW

Which professor most impacted your experience? Westy Egmont. He created a policy class where we could work at City Hall and get hands on experience on how policy is created and implemented. We kept in touch and now I am running for office and he supports my campaign by introducing me to his network and advising. From a professor to a friend. Truly a caring leader.

Why does BCSSW work for you? I went to Boston College specifically because it has a strong Macro Social Work program that helped prepare me to work in the policy arena and run for office. We need more social workers at the policy making table and Boston College School of Social Work prepares students for that career.

Describe the community at BCSSW: I met other veterans in the program that became great friends, so much that they will be joining my wedding this year!

Hometown:Silver Spring, MD

Program: MSW, Macro CYF

Which professor most impacted your experience? I have had several outstanding professors during my time at BCSSW, yet one of my favorites is one with whom is not only a well-respected scholar but also an insightful mentor. As a professor, Cal Halvorsen is enthusiastic, genuine, and dedicated to promoting the efficacy and well-being of his students. Cal does not only teach; he inspires. He has been inspiring a new generation of researchers, advocates, and clinicians to utilize the skills we develop as social workers to catalyze change where it is needed most.

Describe the community at BCSSW: The most meaningful relationship I have formed gently reminded me of the importance of utilizing my privilege as an educated man to enact desired change. For one of my assignments for my Community Organizing class with Prof. Sam Teixeira, I had the pleasure to conduct a 1:1 relational interview with activist and community organizer Lew Finfer. While working with him on a bill introduced to the Joint Committee of Education, this 1:1 interview provided me with a unique opportunity to see "what makes him tick"? And the answer was straightforward: people. To be an effective leader, one must build a strong relationship with those affected by the desired change. The importance of listening, acknowledging, and interpreting the stories people share about their pain and experiences is to, based on democratic (or religious) traditions, take action together to improve the circumstances that are causing those stories and experiences in the first place.

Hometown: Providence, RI

Program: MSW, Clinical, Children, Youth & Families

Field placement: Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter School in Hyde Park, MA; Ascentria Care Alliance in Waltham, MA

Dream job: Having my own practice serving underserved populations especially Spanish-speaking folks.

Favorite BCSSW class or professor: Professor Rocio Calvo because of her enthusiasm, her ability to be direct and take you out of your comfort zone, and her abundant experience.

Why BCSSW: I decided on BCSSW because of their Latino Leadership Initiative (LLI) program and the tools it offered to students in order to work with Latinxs.

Hometown: South Windsor, CT

Program: MSW, Clinical, Children, Youth & Families

Field placement: My first year field placement was with Higher Ground Boston at the David A. Ellis Elementary school in Roxbury, MA. For my second year, I am interning for the Massachusetts Mental Health Center PREP Program in Dorchester, MA.

Favorite BCSSW class or professor: My favorite class was Diversity & Cross Cultural Skills with Roci­o Calvo. This class was the very first class taken that was part of the Latino Leadership Initiative (LLI), therefore the class was taken in Spanish and highlighted specific problems related to Latino populations. Additionally, Rocio provided a perfect environment to create a strong community with other memebers in the LLI program. I believe this community has provided me with an incredible amount of support and perhaps friendships that may last a lifetime.

Dream job: My dream job is to create my own non-profit organization that focuses on promoting, advocating and teaching Social Emotional Learning to districts and schools nationwide.

Why BCSSW: I chose Boston College School of Social Work because of its nationally renowned social work program. Also, the various opportunities such as the LLI program, affinity groups and in residential life certainly contributed to my decision. The campus is not to shabby as well.

Hometown: Los Angeles, California

Program: MSW, Clinical Track

What has been your favorite class? My favorite class was Neuroscience and Adult Relationships, with Jessica Black. I have always been intrigued by the mind/body/spirit connection, and the class helped me better understand neurobiological processes and how our wiring informs the ways in which we show up in relationships. I learned so much! I was sad when the class ended. It was one of the most eye opening classes I've ever taken.

What has been the most meaningful relationship you've developed at BCSSW? No doubt, I cherished the relationships that I developed with other students in the LLI program and with some truly inspiring incredible faculty members.