A Passion for Leadership 

BSWA held a Social Welfare Alumni Association Network event with Interim Provost Darrell Wheeler.

ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 2, 2017) – Senior social welfare major Jennifer Perry of Kingston, N.Y., plans to devote her career to helping older adults live happily and independently.

How does she get to that career from here? One way she is jumpstarting her future is by serving as president of the Baccalaureate Social Welfare Association (BSWA), a networking group for undergraduates who plan to become social workers.

“I joined the BSWA immediately after transferring to UAlbany in the first semester of my junior year while looking to get involved at the School of Social Welfare,” Perry said.

The group’s mission is to offer a supportive learning community to undergrad social work majors while doing community service work in the Capital District and promoting social justice. There are about 30 members.

“The BSWA has helped me discover my passion for leadership in the field of social work. I believe that the skills I’ve acquired by leading the BSWA will be an asset to me in my career,” Perry said.

The group provides students with opportunities to network with other students and professionals in the field, which is crucial for a successful career. For example, they held a Social Welfare Alumni Association Network event last fall, and toured of New York State Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

This spring BSWA has plans for extensive community service, including:

•  Collecting donations for the Alumni Association’s Drive Out Hunger food drive

•  Selling paper hearts across campus this month to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House

•  Working with other student groups to organize the Out of the Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk on April 8

•  Joining the Pine Hills Cleanup in the spring.

If you are interested in joining BSWA, contact Perry at [email protected].

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