SAN ANTONIO — On a hot August afternoon, dozens of children filed into Briscoe Elementary School, leaving with bright new backpacks, notebooks, and pencils in hand. For nearly 200 students, the supplies meant a smoother start to the school year. For three Army social work students, it was a chance to practice what they’re learning: service, community, and care.
First Lieutenant Tiffany Tanalgo, Second Lieutenant Cody Mills, and Second Lieutenant Colin Burnside, all graduate students in the Army–UK Master of Social Work program, spent their day helping organize and distribute the donations. The trio is currently completing their foundation practicum at Brooke Army Medical Center’s Residential Treatment Program, where they’re training to address behavioral health needs in military populations.
But when Briscoe Elementary needed hands to run its back-to-school drive, the students showed up.
“They were quick learners, adaptable, and a real pleasure to work with,” said Capt. Teddy R. Medina, an Army social work intern who supervised the students during the event. “They were a huge help with the execution of this event to distribute school supplies. Truly great to get to know and work alongside them.”
The UK College of Social Work has offered this one-of-a-kind master’s degree in partnership with the Department of Defense since October 2016. The goal is to develop well-qualified clinical social workers to fill positions across military service branches.
Students complete graduate-level coursework through UK’s College of Social Work while fulfilling rigorous military training. In recent years, the program has been spotlighted for producing graduates who bring both clinical skill and cultural understanding to some of the Army’s toughest mental health challenges.
Colonel Teresa D. Murray, the program’s director, called the recognition from BAMC a testament to the caliber of the students and their broader mission. “Our students are committed not just to serving soldiers, but to serving communities,” she said in a note to colleagues.
For the children of Briscoe Elementary, the day may have been about pencils and paper. For the Army MSW students, it was another lesson in what social work, at its best, can mean: showing up, pitching in, and making sure others start the year with what they need.
