Commonwealth Students Present at Social Workers Conference

The National Association of Social Workers-Pennsylvania held its annual conference from Oct. 22-25. The conference, "Social Work Breaks Barriers," focused on social work initiatives that aim to empower clients and client systems to overcome social/economic and environmental barriers. 

Of the eleven students chosen for student poster presentations from statewide accredited social work programs, seven students represented Commonwealth University BSW and MSW programs. 

Four students from the BSW program, Kentavia Baines, Travis Elmore, Nasir Munden, and Destiney Silver-Presley are seen in the pictures showcasing senior practicum programming and research proposal. All four seniors are working on service-learning projects that involve health and wellness programming aimed at supporting at-risk youth in the community and college students. These important projects further aim to utilize peer mentoring programming to empower students who may be dealing with barriers on campus and in our local communities. The BSW students were supported by their mentors, Dr. Shiloh Erdley-Kass and Dr. Kevin Lally, and their field agencies, For the Cause, The Susquehanna Valley United Way, and The Bloomsburg Campus Social Work Department. The students are seen discussing ADEI-focused projects with Dr. Anthony Street, CEO of the NASW and recently elected NASW-PA President, Sierra McNeil, MSW. 

In addition to BSW representation, three MSW students were also recognized for their ADEI-focused projects that address social injustices faced by the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. The MSW students chosen for their work included Sara Leibel-Meirney, Justin Maiorana and Rylee Muldoon. These students were mentored by Dr. Kevin Lally, Dr. Viviana X. Lucabeche, Tammy Carson, MSW, and Dr. Carolyn Reed-Brown. The Social Work Department Faculty are proud and excited to work with innovative, empathic, and motivated students like these who are the next generation of social workers and change agents working to address and ameliorate social, economic, and environmental injustices for at-risk communities.