Newsletter

Social Work Anniversaries

University of Southern Indiana social work faculty are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable milestones of the USI Social Work Program—50 years of social work at USI, 40 years of the Bachelor of Social Work degree and 30 years of Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, alongside the inaugural year of the University’s online MSW option. These achievements represent not just a long-standing commitment to excellence in social work education but also a profound dedication to making a positive impact in the Evansville community and Tri-state region. 

For five decades, the USI Social Work Department, housed in the College of Liberal Arts, has been a cornerstone in shaping compassionate and skilled social work professionals who are dedicated to improving lives and fostering social justice. In 1974, shaped from increasing needs in the community and advocacy from community leaders, social work at USI began as a concentration in sociology. Ten years later in 1984, the Bachelor of Social Work degree emerged with a dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable populations. The MSW program, now celebrating its 30th anniversary, has built upon this foundation, preparing advanced practitioners to tackle complex social issues with expertise and empathy.  

This year, the 50th anniversary, is particularly exciting as the College of Liberal Arts introduces its online MSW option. The online MSW expands access to our high-quality education and allows faculty to reach a broader audience. This new format reflects the University’s commitment to adapting to the needs of students and the ever-evolving landscape of social work.  

“The Social Work Department at USI plays a crucial role in the Evansville community, providing essential services and support through our undergraduates and graduates who work tirelessly to address social challenges, advocate for vulnerable populations and drive meaningful change,” says Dr. Jay Dickerson, Chair of the Social Work Department. “As we mark these significant milestones, we celebrate the legacy of our past, the achievements of our present and the promising future of social work education at USI. Our journey is a testament to the strength and resilience of our community and the transformative power of social work.” 

The Social Work program, in collaboration with the local community, trains students to help others help themselves through teaching theory and skills in the classroom and in the field. It is also designed to ingrain compassion and empathy in all students so they can effectively help their community and learn to adapt to new social issues that arise.  

“My time in the Social Work Department has been a profound journey of growth, compassion and purpose,” says Aaron Pryor BSW '10, M '14, Assistant Director of Counseling and Psychological Services and Adjunct in Social Work. “From where I stand, the future looks bright, and it will continue to do so as long as programs like the one at USI empower those they serve.”   

This Spring, social work faculty, students and alumni will gather for the annual Social Work Conference to celebrate these milestones and learn from other social work professionals and organizations.  

To learn more about the USI Social Work Department and its achievements, visit the USI Social Work website.  

Online Master of Social Work Degree

The University of Southern Indiana’s Social Work Department within the College of Liberal Arts is currently offering a fully online Master of Social Work degree which began with Fall 2024 semester. This new offering is based on the current in-person Master of Social Work degree but offers the same classes in an online environment that fits any schedule. There are currently 21 students enrolled in the fully online Master of Social Work Degree Program. Seven students who may graduate following Spring 2025 semester as the first to complete the fully online Master of Social Work Program.

Master of Social Work courses will prepare students to provide desperately needed services to help people cope with issues like mental illness, substance abuse, poverty and discrimination. Positions in hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, employee assistance programs, residential treatment facilities, prisons, senior centers, government agencies and many more settings are attainable after degree completion.

“When reflecting on my education at USI, I believe that my professors made more of an impact on my perspective toward the profession than a specific course” says Macie Cox ’21, USI Master of Social Work Graduate, Behavioral Mental Health Therapist, Indiana United Methodist Children’s Home. My professors did an amazing job at balancing textbook knowledge with their professional experience. I remember most of my classes transforming my perspective on the world.”

This online degree is meant to open the doors to higher education for working individuals that need more flexibility to earn their degree. This fully asynchronous program allows students to work on assignments at their convenience with no meeting time each week to plan around. The courses

have a student-to-faculty ratio of 12:1, so students will have ample opportunities to interact with faculty and peers.

“The new online MSW program was designed to provide accessible and flexible opportunities for individuals to obtain their MSW at USI,” says Dr. Quentin Maynard, incoming Director of the Master of Social Work Program. “The online MSW program will educate and train social workers to provide clinical, mental and behavioral health services in our community. We are excited to see how this new program option will benefit our community partners and the individuals living in the Tri-state area.”

This degree is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, which uses a rigorous process to evaluate Master of Social Work colleges for the quality of their education and student outcomes.

For more information on the Online Master of Social Work program, contact Maynard at qrmaynard@usi.edu, or visit the Master of Social Work webpage.

USI Social Work students awarded funding to combat mental health professional shortage 

Twenty Master of Social Work degree-seeking students at the University of Southern Indiana have been selected to receive a stipend from the Department of Mental Health and Addictions (DMHA) Mental Health Internship Program. The funds come from the American Relief Plan and are distributed by ASPIN (Affiliated Service Providers of Indiana, INC.). Each Fall and Spring Semester, DMHA awards funding to master’s level students in mental health fields from accredited Indiana schools to address the mental health workforce shortage in Indiana. The program is limited to 150 master’s level students enrolled in a mental-health focused graduate program and placed at a designated not-for-profit agency for internship/practicum.    

USI and the Social Work Department extend congratulations to the following students who received notification that they were selected to receive these funds: Josie Betsch, Leah Bowers, Patrick Campion, Jami Cates, Stephanie Duncan, Kylie Dunlap, Tori Fetter, Andrea Graber, Kara Gourley, Jasmine Hall, Dylan Haskins, Haylee Hedrick, Claudia Hutchison, Jerrica Magill, Anna Mleczko, Faith Peak, Thea Petry, Hannah Pettijohn, Ian Stephenson and Marissa Veal.   

“I am so excited to hear so many of our students applied for and were granted this stipend,” says Bonnie Rinks, Director of Field Education. 

The Social Work Department and students are grateful for both the financial assistance and needed support this money gives students.  

“This additional financial support will help reduce some stress off my shoulders and allow me to focus more on my internship and education than working a job,” says Hutchison. “I’m thankful for this opportunity.”    

Internships allow students to apply their knowledge and gain valuable clinical skills from experienced licensed clinical social workers. The learning that takes place within this final year is invaluable for a student’s preparation to enter practice upon graduation.  

“With this extra time off, I will be working to gain more experiences within my internship, (and) gaining the most out of this placement as I can.” says Fetter. 

“My financial needs have been a large barrier in prioritizing school. Because I have the sole responsibility of supporting myself financially, my schoolwork has at times been put on the back burner,” says Hall. “The ASPIN award will allow me to prioritize school and take a small step back from work to ensure my academics are coming first during my last year of school.”  

This funding helps students to feel more connected, supported and recognized for the effort and sacrifices they are making to become competent mental health professionals.  

“I am so incredibly grateful to have been chosen as a recipient and to have others believe in my ability to positively contribute to the field of social work and mental health care," says Mleczko. 

“Just as my USI education and internship experiences have facilitated me in gaining the skills needed to work in this field, this award will help to further build my career as a social worker,” says Hedrick. 

Rinks says the money will also be available again for the Spring 2025 semester and hopes more students will apply.  

To learn more about the USI Social Work Department and its achievements, visit the USI Social Work website.   

MSW Student run business supporting Substance Abuse Awareness Efforts

Grace Brown, a Master of Social Work (MSW) student, is passionate about raising awareness of substance abuse due to her personal experience with losing her brother, Aaron, to the effects of addiction. “My brother was over eight years sober at the time of his passing, so it was a tragedy,” Brown added. “However, now, we do everything in our power to share his story and use it to help others.” 

Her clothing company, Vybe Trib3, recently partnered with the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition (KHRC) to have a fundraising walk titled “Aaron Brown Memorial Walk” in Louisville, Kentucky, in honor of October being Substance Abuse Awareness Month. The event raised over $1,000 for KHRC.  

The participants met at Frankie’s Barber Shop on Bardstown Road in Louisville and walked three miles to the What Makes You Smile Art Gallery where they were greeted with a DJ, food trucks and drinks. T. There were about 30 people in attendance.  

During the walk, participants held signs and yelled chants down the street. Some of the signs said, “No one deserved to die from overdose,” “Recover Loudly So Others Don’t Die Quietly,” “Love All Serve All Create No Sorrow” and “People Who Use Drugs Do Not Lose Their Human Rights.” 

Brown shared, “My best friend Jamie and I made all the signs, and it was so fulfilling to see them being held up at the walk. I could feel the power in our presence, and I hope people heard our message.” 

Vybe Trib3 is a clothing brand, but it is also a community. Frankie Blice, owner of Frankie’s Barber Shop, and Brown are the owners of the Vybe Trib3. “We come together to spread peace, love, kindness, connection and service,” says Brown. “Our clothing promotes positivity and acceptance of everyone. We also attend music festivals and other events to share our message with others. It is owned by me, Alex (sister-in-law) and Frankie (family friend).” 

Vybe Trib3 has a massive connection to the harm reduction mission and substance abuse awareness. Throughout the month of October, 20% of all Vybe Trib3 sales were donated to the coalition. 

“As someone in the social work community, who is planning to do the OASAS (substance abuse treatment specialty) program, it is rewarding to keep up with my passions in both my personal and professional life,” says Brown. “I am blessed to be a part of a brand that is not about money but is about helping others and uplifting everyone.” 

If you want to learn more about the Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition then please follow this link: Kentucky Harm Reduction Coalition Team, KyHRC Louisville KY.

Faculty Present at 95th Annual Indiana Academy of Social Sciences Conference

Two USI Social Work faculty members presented at the 95th annual Indiana Academy of Social Sciences Conference on Friday, October 4. John Paulson, Associate Professor of Social Work, and Dr. Wendy Turner, Director of Bachelor of Social Work Program, shared their research at this statewide conference. 

Paulson presented "Peaceful Warriors: Making Sense of the Martial Arts in Randall Collins' Micro-Sociological Theory of Violence" along with J. David Thomas from Ivy Tech Community College. The presentation covered Sociologist Randall Collins’ theory on the microsociology of violence, which proposes different pathways that individuals utilize to mediate confrontational tension and fear that can lead one to act aggressively. Paulson’s and Thomas’ presentation addressed Collins’ pathways which seem to suggest that the study and practice of martial arts, while one might predict that would lead one to be more aggressive, might have the potential to reduce aggression. 

Paulson also presented, "Enhancing presents, Self Compassion, and Quality of Life in a Jail-Based Substance Abuse Program through Mindfulness.” In this presentation, he discussed findings from a study he conducted based on a project at the Hopkins County, Kentucky Jail from 2016-20, integrating mindfulness practices into a jail-based substance abuse program. Paulson has a journal article published based on that accessible at no cost. Here is the link:

https://digitalcommons.murraystate.edu/crsw/vol11/iss1/5/

Turner presented, “Inside the Worried Mind of Gen-Z.” She utilized a classroom activity from a social work policy course that asked students to identify strengths they wish other generations knew about Gen-Z and to list what worries they have about their futures. Their responses were grouped together into common areas, and the class identified potential policy solutions for those worries, utilizing their generations’ strengths. The activity was intended to help make the abstract topic of policy more relevant to students, but it inadvertently gave Turner insight into the values and beliefs of this cohort that may help bridge the generational divide. Turner presented these insights gained from this activity along with suggestions for addressing the concerns of young adults to her conference audience.