Spring Practicum Presentations and Awards
By Elizabeth Walker, LCSW
In April, the Practicum department at the College of Social Work was pleased to host the Spring Faculty Development Workshop, featuring the 28th annual Practicum Project Presentations and Field Education Awards. The presentations and awards highlight student practicum projects and celebrate the work of students and field faculty.
“The exceptional education we provide our students would not be nearly as complete without the practicum experience,” said Dean Jannah Mather. “This event gives us the opportunity to catch a glimpse of a few student practicum projects and to recognize the outstanding students, field faculty, and agencies involved.” Providing a sampling of student practicum experiences, five students were selected to present their practicum projects during this event.
During her practicum at Interface Psychological Services, first-year MSW student Jessica Elder conducted research on the relationship between the legal drinking age and binge drinking, which she later presented to the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Coalition with information about the Amethyst Initiative. According to their website, the Amethyst Initiative is a “public statement that the problem of irresponsible drinking by young people continues despite the minimum legal drinking age of 21, and there is a culture of dangerous binge drinking on many [college] campuses.” At the time of publication, 135 college presidents and chancellors had signed the Amethyst Initiative.
Working with the senior assistance program Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Tobokane Manthai, a first-year MSW student, developed a creative project to learn how seniors construct meaning from memories. Each week of her practicum, she brought something new to the group of seniors at West Jordan Senior Center. She and the older adults discussed how memories are tied to certain songs, smells, emotions, or photos. During her project presentation, she emphasized the need for social service professionals trained in geriatric mental health.
Brenda Campbell completed her first-year MSW practicum requirement at Utah’s oldest adoption agency, the Children’s Aid Society of Utah. During the first 70 years of the agency’s existence, they conducted “closed adoptions,” which did not allow contact between the child and his/her birth parents. These adoptions were psychologically difficult for both the child and the birth mother. But since 1985, the rate of “open adoptions” has dramatically increased. Ms. Campbell’s practicum project sought funding from the agency’s board of directors to conduct interviews evaluating the psychological effect of “open adoptions” on both child and birth parents.
First-year MSW student Kayleen Savage’s practicum project focused on helping offenders bridge the gap between transitional services and a Salt Lake rehabilitation center, Odyssey House. Under the current system, fundamental needs – such as healthcare, living conditions, education, rehabilitation – are not being met, leaving these individuals ill prepared to successfully reenter society. Ms. Savage’s project focused on adding an additional rehabilitation step into the process.
Working with the PTSD Clinic at Salt Lake’s Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, second-year MSW student Leigh Ann Morse used evidence-based research to create a healing garden for female veterans. A registered horticultural therapist, Ms. Morse helped develop a safe, handicap accessible area that was “strong,” “nurturing,” and “familiar.” This garden will recognize the contributions of female veterans while providing a venue for meditation, concerts, and lectures.
“Our field faculty and practicum agencies generously give of their time and expertise as they supervise emerging social workers,” said Dean Mather. “Words cannot express how grateful we are for this valuable contribution to and investment in our greater community.” Students, supervisors, and agencies were recognized for their collaboration.
Aubrey Barrow, who completed her practicum at the Utah Federation for Youth/ UNP Hartland, was honored with the Outstanding BSW Award. “Aubrey demonstrates motivation, creativity, and enthusiasm in whatever work she does,” said nominator Trinh Mai. This summer, Ms. Barrow will start work on her advance standing MSW degree at the University of Utah.
The Outstanding First Year MSW Student of the Year Award was presented to Brenda Campbell for her practicum work at the Children’s Aid Society. Nominator Christina Alvera said, “Brenda is an outstanding student who overcame many personal struggles to fully give of her time and skills in order to uphold principles of social work.”
Christine Pembroke was recognized as the Outstanding Second Year MSW Student, for her practicum work at the Children’s Center. In her nomination letter, Nancy Coyne, Ms. Pembroke’s supervisor at the Children’s Center, wrote that “Christine embodies what it means to be a social worker… she is knowledgeable, compassionate, and views clients through the ‘person in the environment’ and has the ability to change the lives of those in need.”
Dr. Coyne was honored with the 2009 Outstanding Field Faculty Award. “Nancy adeptly models an effective and integrated picture of social work professionalism,” wrote Ms. Pembroke. The Children’s Center, the agency where Dr. Coyne works and where Ms. Pembroke completed her practicum, was later awarded the Outstanding Agency of the Year Award.
Ken Jones, formerly of the Veterans Administration Medical Center, was presented with the Distinguished Practicum Service Award, honoring his 25 years of field education. Rodney Fifield, Elise Hutchings, and Donna Moxley-Castleton also received special recognition for their 25 years of service. Certificates of appreciation were also given to field instructors for five, ten, and fifteen years of service.
As always, it was a pleasure to acknowledge our students and field faculty for their contributions to the social work profession.
