Social Work

Amanda Russell '07 acts for change. Socially conscious, Mandee spent her social work field instruction placement at Manchester helping homeless women find safety and stability. Many of her clients had escaped domestic violence or were facing addictions and mental illness.

Mandee believes Manchester's emphasis on accepting people of diverse backgrounds and advocating justice for the disenfranchised had a strong bearing on her career path.

After graduation, she was hired by her field instruction agency. She rose quickly into a leadership position overseeing client programs. She eventually chose to pursue a masters degree in social work, published an article in a peer-reviewed journal, and continued working to bring affordable housing to more people.

Immersed in serving, Mandee's social work degree from Manchester lets her live what she believes.

Are you like Mandee? Do you have a desire to help people in need? Do you like interacting with people – recognizing similarities, honoring differences? Are you the one your friends turn to when they need someone to listen? Are you concerned for human rights and want to see people treated fairly?

Social work may be your future.

Social work is enhancing human well-being and ending social injustice. Social workers alleviate poverty, challenge oppression, and empower disenfranchised people.

From Manchester University, social work graduates go forth believing that every person has value – and the right to grow and develop to her/his potential. They find careers working in health care and mental health, hunger, child abuse, juvenile delinquency and crime, addictions, disabilities, unemployment, older adults, domestic violence, and homelessness.

They graduate with hopes of changing the world. And often they do.

For more information about the Social Work Program, please contact:
Barb J. Burdge, PhD, MSW
Associate Professor of Social Work
Social Work Program Director
260.982.5365
bjburdge@manchester.edu