14 Northwestern Social Work Students Enter the Field

February 7, 2022

Bachelor-level social work students at Northwestern Oklahoma State University recently began their field practicums at agencies throughout Oklahoma. These 14 seniors entered practicum agencies to complete 420 contact hours, demonstrate 31 behaviors and master the program’s nine core competencies as outlined by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE).

“Field education is a key component for the Bachelor of Social Work program at Northwestern and is needed to establish and expand skills within the practice,” Codi Harding, assistant professor of social work and director of social work field education, said. “The field component serves as the signature pedagogy for the Bachelor of Social Work program at Northwestern and allows students to immerse themselves in practice and apply skills and knowledge they have attained.”

Social work students in their field practicum are assigned to a field instructor, someone with specific credentials in the agency to reinforce social work ideas, behaviors and competencies.

“Field Instructors volunteer their time to educate bachelor-level social workers, and without them, professional social workers would not be competently prepared to practice,” Harding said. 

Listed below are the students currently in their field practicums, hometowns, and their practicum agency placements:

Rachel Beaver of Longdale, Oklahoma Department of Human Services in Alva; Alissa Carlson of Bentonville, Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas Center for Sexual Assault in Springdale, Arkansas; Lizzy Dennett of Enid, Charles E. “Bill” Johnson Correctional Center in Alva; Perla Fonseca Torres of Enid, Oklahoma Department of Human Services in Enid; Ariel Forsyth of Quinlan, Texas, Hunt County Children’s Advocacy Center in Greenville, Texas; Katie Gardner of Laverne, Northwest Center for Behavioral Health of Woodward; Kori Leech of Kiowa, Kansas, Charles E. “Bill” Johnson Correctional Center in Alva; Kailie Martin of Protection, Kansas, Charles E. “Bill” Johnson Correctional Center in Alva; Krissie May of Garden Plains, Kansas, Western Plains Youth and Family Services in Woodward; Julie Mayer of Enid, Young Women’s Christian Association in Enid; Barbara McPherson of Enid, Liberty of Oklahoma/ Robert M. Greer Center in Enid; Jewel Shepherd of Mooreland, Western Plains Youth and Family Services in Woodward; Brandy Lucas of Enid, Oklahoma Department of Adult Protective Services in Enid; and Brianna Wisby of Glenpool, Oklahoma Department of Human Services in Alva.

For more information about Northwestern’s social work program, visit https://www.nwosu.edu/school-of-arts-and-sciences/social-work or contact Dr. Kylene Rehder, chair of the department and professor of social work, at (580) 327-8135 or kdrehder@nwosu.edu, or Harding at (580) 213-3148 or clharding@nwosu.edu.

-NW-

CONTACT FOR RELEASE
Erin Davis, University Relations Specialist
eedavis@nwosu.edu  580-327-8480