Spotlight on Students & Alumni
The Spotlight on Students & Alumni section of the website was created to help prospective students learn more about our academic programs and field placement opportunities. The individual experiences and interest areas of our students and alumni are highlighted in this section, as well as testimonials from our graduates about embarking on a career in social work. Feel free to browse through the spotlights. If you have any questions, please contact student services for more information. Please visit the Spotlight on Field Instructors section for testimonials from our field instructors and information about the field education program.
If you are a current of former student at the School of Social Work and would like to be featured in the spotlight, please fill out the spotlight submission form for current students OR alumni.
Jump to: PhD Students | MSW Students | BSW Students | Alumni
PhD Program Students
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Ashley Gage "The most valuable aspects at the School of Social Work have been how the small class sizes have provided an environment for cooperative learning, the faculty have encouraged our individual interests, and my cohort, and cohorts before me, have been helpful and supportive." |
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Michelle Kaiser "The two most valuable aspects of my experiences thus far include the immense support and encouragement I have received from faculty and staff and the opportunities to collaborate with other departments." |
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Tjitske (Tish) Tubbergen "I most value the guidance I receive from my advisor and professors at MU, as well as the experiences of my peers. I've received amazing support and encouragement throughout my education at the MU School of Social Work." |
MSW Program Students
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Barbara Banks "The most valuable thing about my experience at MU so far has to be the connections I have made with my advisor and with my faculty liaison during my field placement. They always challenge me to do more and to really think about my academic and professional goals." |
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Julie Feeney "The most valuable aspects of my experiences so far have been classes that require practice and provide opportunities to learn from my peers." |
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Danica Pape
"The flexible nature of the field program has allowed me to combine various passions and interest areas while staying on track with my course curriculum." |
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Ashlee Smith "I have really enjoyed meeting other students with the same interests and aspirations as me. The faculty's knowledge and enthusiasm have also been great!" |
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Faith Wemhoff "The faculty and staff at the School of Social Work are very supportive and informative. They are always encouraging students to get involved in various activities and organizations." |
BSW Program Students
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Antaniece Sills "What I value most about the MU School of Social Work is knowing that my professors are committed to helping me become successful, both inside and outside of the classroom." |
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Holly White "The faculty and staff have exceeded my expectations. There is an atmosphere of support, encouragement, and a commitment to the students." |
Current Alumni in the Spotlight
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Ayesha Harmon MSW '04; program director for the Youth Empowerment Zone "My favorite thing about having an MSW is the versatility that comes with it. There are so many different roads you can take with this degree." |
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Amber Moodie-Dyer PhD '11; assistant professor at Ohio State University "Explore every aspect of the field of social work. You may think you want to do clinical work with children and families (as I did when I started my MSW) and end up finding that your real passion is community organizing or macro practice. Keep all options open and find your passion!" |
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Mable Rumburg-Meites BA '42; retired medical social worker Mable earned her BA in Social Sciences and Social Work from the University of Missouri in 1942, as well as a Masters in Medical Social Work from Washington University in 1946. She has written her memoirs and we are very pleased that she has allowed us to share them on our website. Read more. |
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Brenda Sites MSW ’98; program director for the State of Missouri "I wanted to learn about the process of helping others. After investigating the profession of social work, I was drawn to the hands-on, practical approach and the diversity of work environments." |
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Nathan Stephens MSW ’05; director for the Gaines/Oldham Black Culture Center at the University of Missouri "I wanted to make a difference in the lives of youth that grew up like I did: impoverished, disenfranchised and disadvantaged. I also wanted to inspire, encourage and guide those that are willing to listen." |
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Gene Svebakken MSSW ’64; CEO of Lutheran Children and Family Services "I was taught to make a difference in the world. When I graduated from college in 1961, the question for my generation was, "What can you do for your country?" Social Work provided me the opportunity to do both." |
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Karla Washington PhD ’09; assistant professor at the University of Louisville "The MU School of Social Work is large enough to provide world-class opportunities, yet small enough to deliver an educational experience that can be tailored to meet each student's needs." |
