MSU-Meridian think tank addresses critical social worker shortages

Contact: Marianne Todd

MERIDIAN, Miss.—Representatives from four area community colleges are exploring social work healthcare career paths and scholarship opportunities at MSU-Meridian as part of a think tank designed to fill crucial roles in an industry experiencing nationwide shortages.

Administrators from East Mississippi Community College, Jones College, Meridian Community College and East Central Community College recently joined Social Work Think Tank Round Table No. 1 to begin expanding pipelines into MSU-Meridian’s Bachelor of Social Work program.

The think tank sessions, led by Angela Savage, program director, serve as a resource and educational tool for community college advisors transferring students into four-year universities.

“I think Dr. Savage bringing this group together has expanded and corrected some misunderstandings we had, or a lack of understanding, about the social work field,” said Marie Roberts, executive director of enrollment at East Central. “It also has created new onramps for students to increase their awareness of social worker opportunities.”

The four community colleges each will award one student with a scholarship to transfer to MSU-Meridian’s Bachelor of Social Work program this fall. The scholarships are paid by a $498,599 gift awarded to MSU-Meridian this spring by The Bower Foundation. The money will also be used to advance student recruitment and advisement efforts in the social work program.

Savage said, “This is specifically for students to work in the healthcare field as social workers. Historically, the mention of social work has been aligned with child protective services, and while that is an area of focus, the need for social workers in physical and mental health is absolutely tremendous,” she said. “This grant makes healthcare social work relevant. It will help fill those gaps, particularly in rural healthcare.”

Roberts said she thinks this first work session reflected that message well.

“Specifically for students who want to help and serve others, and who see themselves in scrubs treating patients, social workers help to deliver support services outside of a provider’s office or traditional clinic while the field helps these students meet their need to help others,” she said.

Savage said the group also discussed reaching students at the high school level, a topic which they will discuss in greater detail at the next scheduled think tank session in September.

Chad Graham, dean of student university transfer education at Meridian Community College, said the program uniquely positions students to immediately enter the workforce.

“I think it’s a good program for students to come straight out of school and start work but also to have room for growth on their own timetable,” he said.

MSU-Meridian Associate Vice President and Head of Campus Terry Dale Cruse said the grant is one of two recent grants from The Bower Foundation. The think tank sessions provide a unique opportunity to cultivate a healthcare workforce where it’s needed most, he added.

“This gift not only fortifies our recruitment efforts, but it strengthens our mission to provide healthcare access and advancement in rural and underserved areas where people are in greatest need,” Cruse said.

For more information on MSU-Meridian’s Bachelor of Social Work program, visit www.meridian.msstate.edu/academics/arts-sciences/degree-programs/social-work.