The School of Social Work (SOSW) at Western Michigan University (WMU), as we are moving forward, we are committed to fostering an environment where creativity, discovery, interprofessional education, and community collaboration can flourish.
To realize this vision, we are thrilled to announce the creation of an endowment - The Social Work Education Innovation Fund. By supporting this endeavor, you can play a pivotal role in our School’s future, directly impacting the development of projects that may redefine the social work academic landscape and the psycho, social and the environmental wellbeing of our community and its members. Jones and Pérez (2021) states that “Investing in academic innovation endowments ensures that universities remain not only educational institutions but also catalysts for societal progress” (p. 43).
This endowment will be a critical resource for advancing research and scholarship, experiential learning, inter disciplinary educational and practice collaborations, community partnerships, and innovation in the field of social work education. Furthermore, this endowment will help the SOSW to focus on relevant interdisciplinary research, innovative teaching practices, identify tangible and innovating solutions that would address grassroots community issues and programming gaps.
Thus, we invite you to consider donating to The Social Work Education Innovation Fund. Your tax-deductible contribution to this endowment will enable us to build a robust foundation for transformative academic and community-based experiential initiatives and projects, and to equipping our students and faculty with the relevant tools imperative to leading the way in their respective fields. With your support, we can cultivate an ecosystem where innovative ideas would blossom and thrive, benefitting our entire community and beyond.
Programmatic and Administrative Benefits
- Programmatic:
- Online Master of Social Work (MSW) Program (new)
- Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Program (new) – it will be the first in the state of Michigan.
- Expand Specialization Offerings, such as:
- School Social Work Specialization – Formally establish the School Social Work Specialization that includes a certification – hire specialization coordinator (faculty specialist).
- Medical Social Work Specialization (new) – hire specialization coordinator (faculty specialist).
- Geriatric Social Work Specialization (new) – hire specialization coordinator (faculty specialist).
- Military & Veteran Social Work Specialization (new) – hire specialization coordinator (faculty specialist).
- Other...
- Expand Certificate and Certification Offerings to Community Members
- Crisis Intervention & Emergency Management Certificate
- Non-profit Leadership Certificate
- Community Policing Certificate
- Sports Psychology Certificate
- Others…
- Administrative: Financial backing for the administrative work of the SOSW
- Establish an [named] Endowed Chair for Online Social Work Education position (tenure-track faculty) – It will provide the resources necessary for the establishment and the leadership of the Online MSW.
- Establish the Cooney Endowed Chair for Community Empowerment position (tenure-track faculty) – It will lead to a larger community impact (e.g., leadership, empowerment, advocacy).
- Establish the Endowed Chair for Doctoral Education position (tenure-track faculty) - It will provide the resources necessary for the establishment and the leadership of the social work doctoral degree (DSW).
Micro Social Work (clinical)
- A positive difference in the lives of individuals and families navigating complex situations and mental health issues.
- Supporting vulnerable populations (e.g., minorities, immigrants, refugees, individuals with disabilities)
- Mental health education and prevention (e.g., stress management; substance use, abuse, and prevention; decrease stigma; empower individuals & families to seek help)
- Others
Mezzo Social Work (groups & organizations)
- Improving organizational employees’ mental health programs and referral systems.
- Reducing barriers to employees’ access to service and support.
- Building employees’ resilience and coping skills.
- Crisis Intervention & Conflict Resolution support.
- Provide culturally sensitive mental health care.
- Reduces employee turnover.
- Others
Macro Social Work (communities):
- Engage in active listening to understand community needs (e.g., townhalls, public listening session, community needs assessments, appreciative inquiry assessments, SWOT analyses).
- Building and organizing community engagement – e.g., impact on neighborhoods’ well-being.
- Creating alliance and fostering collaborations with and between the business and nonprofit sectors.
- Impact on the school system (School Social Work Specialization).
- Promoting social, environmental, and economic justice.
- Advocating for underrepresented and marginalized populations.
- Provide support for social inclusion and diversity which could lead to community cohesion, etc.
- Identify and train community leaders (certificate and certification program).
- Identify root causes of existing social issues and existing programming gaps in order to (a) create relevant programs to address the gaps; and (b) shape public policy to address the identified root causes.
- Promote community safety & stability through addressing the root causes such as poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, etc.
- Additional macro social work contexts: disaster response, relief, & recovery; crisis mitigation; developing, managing, monitoring, & evaluating community programs; coordinating research programs designed to better understand community needs, resources, and/or trends).
- Others