A proclamation event will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, at Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Social Work Building to kick off a number of events honoring Social Work Month.
Nacogdoches County Commissioner Robin Dawley will deliver the proclamation to the SFA School of Social Work’s leadership team, with social work students, faculty, field instructors and staff in attendance.
“Social workers are committed to enhancing the well-being of their communities. There is an increasing need for social workers across the world,” Oliphant said. “This event will officially proclaim March as social work month in Nacogdoches County and honor all our professional and student social workers do to assist the health of our East Texas community.”
The school’s leadership team includes Dr. Freddie Avant, associate dean of social work and interim dean of the Office of Research and Graduate Studies; Dr. Steve Cooper, interim Bachelor of Social Work coordinator and professor; Wilma Córdova, interim Master of Social Work coordinator and professor; Dr. Emmerentie Oliphant, interim chair; Linda Harris, field director and clinical instructor; Diane Sizemore, Child Welfare Professional Development Project director; Dr. Carrie Butler, Lone Star College liaison and professor; and Christy Collins, Tyler Junior College liaison and professor.
Themed, “The Time is Right for Social Work,” this installment marks the 38th year since the United States government officially recognized March as Social Work Month in 1984 under President Ronald Regan. The month is a chance to inform the public about the services social workers provide in an array of sectors, including hospitals, mental health centers, schools, social service agencies, community centers and politics.
The school also will host the “March in March” event where faculty members, social work students and social workers from Nacogdoches Independent School District will march to bring awareness to the social work field. The event will begin at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, in front of the SFA Social Work Building and continue to North Street.
The school will host several celebratory activities throughout the month with guest speakers who will discuss the importance of social work in today’s world. Other celebrations include Social Work Advocacy Day on March 4 and World Social Work Day on March 16.
For more information about the SFA School of Social Work, visit sfasu.edu/socialwork.
By Nathan Wicker, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
