MSU-Meridian invites prospective students to Social Work Appreciation Day
Contact: Marianne Todd
MERIDIAN, Miss.—Mississippi State University-Meridian will celebrate Social Work Appreciation Month this Thursday [March 20] with tours of the Meridian campus and waived application fees to students entering the social work program.
Prospective students and social work professionals are invited to attend the Social Work Appreciation Day celebration held at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience, 2155 Front Street, in Meridian from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Students who preregister for the free event will receive lunch and have an opportunity to ask questions, tour the campus and register, said Lasherish Derrick, Title IV-E project coordinator.
“Believe it or not, it can become a hardship for students just to get past the hurdle of a $65 admission fee,” Derrick said. “This eases that burden at a time when students are emerging from two years of college and preparing for their junior and senior years when expenses can really mount.”
The program is suited to students who are completing their first two years of college and want to transfer to MSU-Meridian, she said.
Derrick said the event is a good opportunity to see what the program is about and meet other potential students.
“Social work is a jewel, a diamond in the rough,” she said. “Many students who enter psychology or counseling often describe their aspirations and dreams, and in doing so, they describe goals that are more aligned with what social work really is.”
“This a profession that yields high rewards in helping others, but it’s not talked about often enough,” Derrick said. “This is a profession of passion that can result in great change.”
Assistant Clinical Professor and Program Director Angela Savage said the industry comes with many job options as hospitals and clinics struggle to fill positions.
“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.
Prospective students who wish to preregister can email Derrick at lla14@msstate.edu or call (601) 934-2450.
Savage said scholarship opportunities are available for students accepted into the MSU-Meridian social work program.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. MSU-Meridian is online at www.meridian.msstate.edu.