Mission
Our core purpose:
Western Michigan University's School of Social Work educates social workers to advocate for social and economic justice and personal well-being for all people. The faculty provides leadership on a local, national and international level through research, scholarship, community service and partnerships, and other creative activities relevant to the profession.
Vision
We seek to be a school that:
- Strengthens students' critical thinking skills, helps them formulate a vision of a just society, and enables them to move towards the realization of their vision.
- Prepares ethical, competent, reflective practitioners to work with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities and institutions within a global and changing environment.
- Fosters sensitivity to diversity, cultural competence and practice effectiveness.
- Is a nurturing, respectful, inclusive environment that maximizes the contributions and development of students, faculty and staff.
Values
- Person-centered and ecologically oriented interventions
- Advocacy and social justice
- Student-centered educational environment, and client-centered professional practice
- Collaborative relationships
- Trustworthiness, collegial behaviors, and modeling professional behavior for students
- Excellence in professional education
- Professional competence
- Commitment to lifelong professional learning
- Evaluating educational outcomes
- Focus on best practices
- Evidence-based practice