LEXINGTON, Ky. – At the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), students don’t just study social work and criminal justice, they experience it. Through immersive, hands-on internships, they step into real-world roles that shape their futures.
For Emma Noffsinger, that meant fulfilling her field practicum as an intern at the Nicholasville Police Department, an experience that redefined her perspective on social work, policing, and the impact she hopes to make in the field.
Noffsinger is currently in the CoSW’s 4+1 program, graduating with her bachelor’s in social work this May, and her Master of Social Work in December 2025,completing her master’s in just one year. An interest in law enforcement at a young age drew Noffsinger to the Nicholasville Police Department, beginning her internship in January 2025.
“Working alongside the social worker in the department, we are able to help bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community, providing resources for individuals in need,” Noffsinger said. “We are there to help people understand what’s going on in their lives and that when they’re dealing with us, it’s not always punishment. It’s also support.”
Having that student perspective and an additional voice to help the community is another way that Noffsinger helps bridge that gap, Alexus Jones, administration captain with the Nicholasville Police Department, said on the benefits of having Noffsinger complete her internship with the department.
Nicholasville PD recently hired their first in-house social worker, as well as a victim’s advocate, two roles that are becoming more common in police departments across the state.
“Law enforcement is changing. When people don’t know what to do, they call 911. For years, we’ve watched as officers respond to these calls that aren’t criminal matters, not having the resources and not knowing where to direct people,” Jones said. “Social workers are needed and help direct and guide people in need.”
Gaining that first-hand training as a social worker in law enforcement has shaped Noffsinger’s career path, continuing her internship into the fall 2025 semester to build on the experiences and opportunities she’s had so far with Nicholasville PD.
As graduation approaches this May, Noffsinger is excited to earn her undergraduate degree in social work but also continue to work towards her master’s and her goal of helping the community that she serves.
“With these degrees, I will soon be able to help out anybody in crisis, opening doors to opportunities to help provide resources to those who need it,” Noffsinger said. “That’s my goal. I want to be that resource for the community.”
Highlights: 2025 May Graduation 
