CSU School of Social Work

Social work gives you a new language, and new way of understanding the world and its challenges. “I learned about why there’s so much inequality, and now I’m being given the tools to fix it,” said Kamila. Head to the link in our bio to learn about studying Social Work at CSU! 💚🐏

A day in the life of a Social Work Ram! 🐏 Anna is a BSW student and part of the @csuhealthhumansci Dean’s Ambassadors Program. Check out what she loves about studying social work and her involvement with CHHS! 💚💛

Congratulations to School of Social Work outstanding grad, Caroline Jones! Caroline chose social work to help people through difficult experiences and she's learned so much from her peers and her mentors during her time at CSU! You're going to change the world, Caroline! We're so proud of you! Read more about Caroline: col.st/neo3g

Gratitude all around 🐾 This semester, @humananimalbondincolorado celebrated the volunteers (human and canine), the HABIC team, and the students and graduate students whose work makes this mission possible. 🐕💛💚

Maybe we’re late to the trend…but HABIC has been celebrating the human–animal bond since 1993 and that never goes out of style! ❤🐾 Want to make a difference in someone's life? Volunteer with your dog!

There's still time to register your middle-school student for the School of Social Work's Empowering YOUth Summer Program! June 15-18, 2026 Participants in this program will create their own advocacy projects, connect with awesome new friends, meet social workers in the community, and have a blast learning, creating, and growing! Register here: https://col.st/ed516

Sneak Peek! Here are just a few of the incredible images that will be on display at Through the Lens: Life Beyond Young Adult Cancer Photo Exhibit. This exhibit features the artwork of 16 young adult cancer survivors from across the country, each telling their personal story through perspectives often unseen. On display at the Center for Creativity - 200 Mathews St. Fort Collins, April 8-12 with reception April 11, 3-5 p.m. This art is a part of Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch's photovoice research project, a participatory project with young adults living with cancer. It is the culmination of a 5-year project as part of the career scholars award from Cambia Health Foundation and is generously sponsored by the Cambia Health Foundation. Featured here is artwork from Tabitha, April, and Stephanie.

We’re celebrating Social Work Month with KC Moe! 💚What does Social Work mean to you? Social work embodies a visionary ethos. Social workers are changemakers, advocating for social justice on both individual and systemic levels. They play a pivotal role in addressing inequalities, their efforts extending beyond mere support to profoundly re-shaping the frameworks of society. 💛What communities do you hope to impact through your degree? Having experienced life as a refugee myself, I am passionate about making a positive difference for other refugee families and the wider community through my studies. My main goal is to help people feel comfortable sharing their feelings without fear of judgment, especially when it comes to mental health issues. By tackling these challenges directly, we can help heal the lasting pain many families have endured over the years, paving the way for a better future for the next generation. 💚What do you love most about studying social work at CSU? What I find most appealing about pursuing a degree in social work at CSU is the program's high level of flexibility, which enables graduates to succeed in a variety of careers. CSU nurtures a welcoming and supportive community. The professors and students create a positive environment that helps everyone learn and grow professionally. When I began the program, I didn't have much knowledge of social work. Thankfully, my professors and classmates were incredibly supportive, helping me understand the material and guiding me through the learning journey. 💛Is there anything else you'd like to share that you feel is important to your story? I am truly grateful for the opportunity to pursue my Master of Social Work (MSW) at CSU. Before embarking on this higher education journey, I often felt trapped in a mindset that limited my potential. It’s as if I had been brainwashed into believing that I couldn’t achieve anything meaningful. My experience in social work has been transformative. It has taught me that anything is possible when we put our minds to it. I feel a renewed sense of hope and a deep commitment to social justice, recognizing the power to create positive change in the world.

Proud SSW Ram, Azariah Reed, epitomizes the field of social work. She is committed to uplift and defend communities, and transform systems to benefit all 💚🐏💛 As Social Work month comes to a close, we continue celebrate our students like Azariah, and the community of alumni, staff, and faculty who uphold the collective values of our field 🤝

We’re celebrating Social Work Month and featuring Isabela Bernal! 💚What does Social Work mean to you? Social work is about supporting people and helping them access the resources they need while recognizing their strengths. It’s listening, guiding, and being there for people as they work through challenges, creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported. 💛What communities do you hope to impact through your degree? I’m focused on supporting students from underrepresented groups, including multilingual and newcomer students, and helping their families feel connected to school and community resources. Schools are central hubs for information and resources, and as a school social worker, I aim to increase access to mental health services and strengthen connections with local agencies and programs. 💚What do you love most about studying social work at CSU? I love being part of the distance cohort at CSU! Even though we aren’t physically together all the time, we’ve built such a close-knit group and are always connecting and supporting each other. I truly feel like I’ve found a community. 💛Why should someone study social work at CSU? The Generalist Program at CSU has shown me just how diverse the field of social work can be. I was especially drawn to CSU because of its commitment to anti-oppressive social work, and I see that value reflected throughout the program. CSU’s social work program challenges us to think critically about the systems that impact people’s lives and how we can support both individuals and the communities they’re part of. 💚Can you share a bit about your previous work or community experiences related to your social work journey? Mental health has always been a passion of mine, and I’ve wanted to work in school-based mental health for a long time. After undergrad, I started as a community liaison at an elementary school and fell in love with the work. Helping families with things like food and clothing, while supporting their students’ emotional needs, sparked my passion for social work. I take pride in being someone students and families can rely on and trust.

We’re celebrating Social Work Month by featuring social work student Erika Cabrera! 💚What does social work mean to you? To me, Social Work is a helping profession that is intentional in understanding each person’s unique experiences. As a first-generation student, a woman of color, and the daughter of immigrant parents from Michoacan, I carry with me the history, sacrifices, and resilience of my family and community. 💛What communities do you hope to impact through your degree and what impacts do you hope to have? I faced a lot of adversity as an adolescent, and I often think about my school social worker who supported me through that time. It’s one of many experiences that have shaped me and helped me think about how to show up thoughtfully and respectfully as an advocate and ally for others. At the center of every case is a person, a family, and their lived experience. I am pursuing social work to become a Children’s Advocate, focusing on supporting families and children affected by separation and systemic barriers. 💚What do you love most about studying social work at CSU? This graduate program is offered in a hybrid, asynchronous format. I am a mom, wife, working full-time, with a toddler and a growing family. I was intentional about choosing a program that felt supportive. There are a few parents in the cohort who are also raising little ones, and it’s been nice going through this journey together. I value how the program is designed to support individuals at different stages of their lives. That was a big factor in my decision to apply. 💛Can you share a bit about your previous work or community experiences related to your social work journey? I worked in Immigration Advocacy, first as a paralegal preparing family-based cases, then as a Constituent Advocate, offering support to constituents across Colorado who were having difficulties with cases pending with federal agencies. I understood the fear and uncertainty many families experienced throughout their process and focused on doing outreach in communities with a strong Spanish-speaking presence. In college, I focused on supporting first-generation students through mentorship.

Earlier this month, we proudly held an open house in collaboration with our friends at @naswco to celebrate Social Work Month 💚🐏💛 In recognition of this field we love, students, faculty, and staff connected with NASW-CO Northern Region members to discuss opportunities and perspectives, and presented awards to the legendary Bruce Hall, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in the Profession of Social Work award, and Jim Kuemmerle, recipient of the 2026 Social Worker of the Year award 🏅 We're happy to have the folks from NASW-CO to help us commemorate the tremendous impact social work has on our world!