Meet the Current Social Work Students

Isabella Fallon (BSW Student, Akron Campus)

I am pursuing a BSW and a career as a licensed social worker because of my values of interdependence, social justice, and advocacy. The UA BSW program has connected me with experienced professors and advisors, providing invaluable insights beyond the textbook. Through these connections, I secured an internship with a reputable agency that will enhance my education by working alongside current social workers, the justice system, and victims of crime. After graduation, I plan to pursue an MSW with a focus on medical advocacy. I am also interested in working in the realm of addictions, which is why I am also pursuing a Certificate in Addiction Services. Once I've got plenty of experience, I would want to teach future generations of social workers!

Makalin Sims (BSW Student, Wayne Campus)

I chose social work because I have always had a passion for helping people. My biggest motivation is that I am a first-generation college student. I chose Wayne campus to stay closer to home and continue to work part-time at my job. I also chose this route because it is less expensive than going to a big campus and allowed me to focus more on my studies with smaller class sizes. The biggest benefit is that I can be closer to my professors and get help from them more easily than at a large campus. My future career goal is to work with children or people with intellectual disabilities and help make a difference in their lives.

Cody Nolan (MSW Student)

Like most of us coming into the field of Social Work, I was brought here by my passion for helping others to achieve their goals and a desire to make the world a better place. I believe that everyone carries the potential for change, sometimes needing guidance. As a lifelong resident of Akron, I earned my Psychology degree at the UA. The MSW program here at the UA has helped me to develop the skills necessary to reach my professional and personal goals. The staff has been knowledgeable, competent, flexible, and understanding at every stage of my experiences here on campus. I have been able to apply the knowledge and skills learned here at my field placement, where I provide outpatient counseling services to individuals in our communities. Following graduation, I plan to continue service as an outpatient counselor in non-profit community behavioral health, where I intend to lay the foundations for a long career in a variety of different roles within social work.

Brooke Skiba (MSW Student)

I was inspired to pursue social work after working in middle and high school education for ten years, where I saw the importance of mental health during crucial developmental years. I discovered a passion for helping children, teens, and people with disabilities on an individual level. While clinical social work appeals to me most, I value how the field allows for impact on both individual and community levels and aligns with my commitment to social justice. UA's MSW program has done a wonderful job at building my competency in the field no matter what direction I go in my future. While I am open to several possibilities in my long-term future as a social worker, my short-term plan after graduation is to continue working with children and teens as a counselor part-time while also better serving my students as I continue to teach.

Interested in joining social work student organizations? Click here.