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Social Work
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Have a Question?

Contact Patti Aldredge, Program Director

Email: paldredge@champlain.edu

Meet Some of Our Social Work Students

Riaz Clark on Social Work, Core, and the Upside-Down Curriculum

Riaz Clark, '21

Division

Education & Human Studies

Major

Social Work

Hometown

Ann Arbor, MI

Pronouns

they/them

Internship

Family Programming Activities at the YMCA in Burlington, VT

“

Champlain doesn't preach about preparing you for your future, it just does it.

”

What has been your experience in the Social Work major?

I love it. I love that it's a very small, tight-knit group of people. We have our group chats, and we're always looking out for each other. If one of us isn't in class, we're on it, making sure they're OK. It's because we're Social Workers; we're built to do that.

Has the Upside-Down Curriculum enhanced your education?

Oh, 100%. What stuck out to me when I took my first tour at Champlain was that it doesn't believe in standardized testing. As someone with two learning disabilities, I don't learn very well through text and reading. And, it was incredible that during the second semester of my first year, I was able to start volunteering at the YMCA, and now I have a job there. At a traditional school, with a traditional curriculum, I wouldn't be doing that until my junior year.

Do you have a favorite Core class?

I was in a class called Bodies: Radical Awakening with Faith Yacubian. I just love Faith. She makes sure that everyone gets what they need. The class was based off that, about radically understanding your body. She told us in class, "If your body is telling you that you need to get up and that you need to do something, you need to listen to it." It was really interesting to learn how to listen to what your body needs.

Liza Ryan

Liza Ryan on the Benefit of Small Classes, Interning with the Burlington Police Department, and Being a First-Year Resident Assistant

Liza Ryan, '20

Division

Education & Human Studies

Majors

Social Work & Criminal Justice

Hometown

Buffalo, NY

Pronouns

She/Her

Travel Course

Jordan

Internship

Burlington Police Department in Burlington, VT

Favorite Class

Differently Abled

“

My internship has given me lots of opportunities to see how law enforcement and social work go hand in hand.

”

What is the best part of the Social Work program?

Social Work is one of the smallest programs at Champlain, and I love it. The small classes are extremely beneficial because we can go through real-world experiences and ask any questions we have. We are also encouraged to go into the field early and often. My third year, I took a job in the Emergency Department at the University of Vermont Medical Center doing crisis work, and I already felt prepared at that point.

You have a really unique internship. Can you tell us about that?

I'm interning at the Burlington Police Department for my whole senior year. I have mostly focused on creative narratives for our bi-weekly "substat" meetings where we discuss any incidents we've had with individuals involved with substance use or serious mental health challenges. The goal of these meetings is to identify those in our community who need help, and then do outreach to gauge their interest in treatment, but also to let them know we're here, we care about them, and we want them to succeed. 


My internship has given me lots of opportunities to see how law enforcement and social work go hand in hand. 

What is the best thing about living on campus?

I may be biased because I'm an RA, but the sense of community in the first year residence halls is the best. I'm still friends with people I lived with my first year, and again as an RA of that same hall when I was a junior. I hang out with my residents, and they come cheer me on at hockey games.

Kate Beauregard

Kate Beauregard on the Close-Knit Social Work Community, Starting a Placement Her First Year, and Her Work at Her Senior Internship

Kate Beauregard, '20

Division

Education & Human Studies

Major

Social Work

Minors

Psychology and Social Justice

Hometown

Bedford, NH

Pronouns

She/Her

Studied Abroad

Dublin, Ireland

Service Trip

Uganda Service Trip

Internship

Parent Child Center Intern at Lund in Burlington, VT

Favorite Class

Oppression and Empowerment

“

My classwork did an excellent job of preparing me for my work in the field. Starting from my first year, I was given opportunities to work directly in the community.

”

What is the best part about being in the Social Work major?

My experience within my major has had a huge positive impact on my overall experience at Champlain. Social Work is a small major, so I have grown very close to my cohort. I've connected with alumni from this program who have assisted with my field learning, worked closely with my professors, and established great relationships with members of my division.

How has the Upside-Down Curriculum impacted your education?

The Upside-Down Curriculum allowed me to enter a placement at the Converse Home in my very first year at Champlain. From this field placement, I was hired as a substitute, which helped build my résumé and knowledge base in working with older adults. This placement so early on in my college journey helped reinforce that I picked the right profession.

Can you tell us about your senior internship?

I am currently in my senior placement at Lund, where I work with three different programs. I work with Independence Place, which is transitional housing for families at risk of homelessness, and Lund Residential's treatment program, both of which I help run. I also work with a program called Kids-A-Part, where I take part in an initiative called Storybook at the Chittenden Regional Correctional Facility. Through this program, I record mothers reading stories for their children and assist with family visits.


My classwork did an excellent job of preparing me for my work in the field. Starting from my first year, I was given opportunities to work directly in the community. My third year, I took Generalist Practice, where I learned to apply skills in ethics and working with clients. As a senior, I have a weekly class to discuss what is occurring in the field.

Kaya Mulligan

Kaya Mulligan on Being a Social Impact Scholar, Feeling Prepared for Professional Life, and the Unique Collaboration in Core

Kaya Mulligan, '21

Division

Education & Human Studies

Major

Social Work

Minor

Social Justice

Hometown

South Londonderry, VT

Pronouns

She/Her

Favorite Class

Generalist Practice I

“

Social Impact Scholars helps my voice be heard on campus and build meaningful connections with professionals in the Champlain and Burlington communities.

”

Are you part of any organizations on campus?

I am a Social Impact Scholar, which has been an incredible experience. We recently went on a Vermont Business trip to learn about local and sustainable businesses. I also had the opportunity to be a part of the Let Us Discuss event on campus and model inclusive communication on a variety of topics. Social Impact Scholars helps my voice be heard on campus and build meaningful connections with professionals in the Champlain and Burlington communities.

How has Champlain prepared you for life after graduation?

The Career Collaborative and Insight program have taught me so many valuable skills, like managing credit cards and how to negotiate my salary. Inside the classroom, the emphasis since day one has been on becoming a professional, and the professors see and you treat you as such.

How has the Core curriculum impacted your education?

The Core has made me aware of all the ways that disciplines work together. It is so unique to collaborate with Game Programming majors or Accounting majors on topics like globalization or gender. Having voices from all majors makes discussions unpredictable and unique.

Absa Samba on Global Education, Empowering Women & Girls, and Getting Involved on Campus

Absa Samba, '20

Division

Education & Human Studies

Major

Social Work

Hometown

The Gambia, West Africa

Pronouns

she/her

Internship

Women's Program Intern at Vermont Works for Women in Burlington, VT

“

Being able to do what I want from the beginning gives me enough time to prepare for my future profession. I'm building the skills I need to become the person I want to be.

”

What was your experience coming to Champlain as an international student?

When you first come here [as an international student], you have a week-long Orientation, during which you get to know more about the school, and you go out and do things in Burlington. During the semester, you meet other international students and engage in activities that bring everyone together in a community on campus. I didn't know how it would feel to come here, but I love it.

How did you choose your Social Work major?

I am very passionate about empowering women and girls, especially coming from The Gambia, where women are less educated and not often involved in decision making. I started working with nongovernmental organizations that are involved with supporting girls' education and women's rights before coming here, and for the first time, I am able to do what I love, which is social work. I'm building the skills I need to become the person I want to be.

Are you involved with any organizations on campus?

I love being in the Women's & Gender Center. It provides a safe space for me, and I know I can go there and get the support I need. You meet many students who are hanging out, doing assignments, having conversations, playing games... When there are activities going on, you're always welcome to participate. That's why I love being here.


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