LEXINGTON, Ky. – When Alondra Valle first set foot on the University of Kentucky campus, she immediately fell in love and knew that she wanted to pursue her Master of Social Work (MSW) with the College of Social Work (CoSW). Now, graduating this May, Valle reflects on her time in the program.
After earning her Bachelor of Social Work from Newman University in Wichita, Kansas, as a first-generation college student, Valle didn’t intend to go to a larger school, but her mentor, Dr. Lindsey Munoz, Clinical Instructor and Associate Dean of Pedagogical Possibilities, encouraged her to visit Lexington, even if she was going to pursue her MSW online.
“Within the first ten minutes of being on campus, I fell in love and knew that my education would excel if I chose the CoSW online program,” Valle shared.
During her time in the MSW program, Valle was able to stay involved through her role as Vice President in a new club, The MSW Lounge, a student-led organization open to all MSW students that focuses on building community, networking and peer support, professional development, and mental health and wellness support.
The MSW program also prepared Valle for her future in social work, inspiring her to look at the profession in many different ways.
“From group assignments involving us acting as social workers and clients, to research, I felt like I got a glimpse of the many ways social work functions in all types of communities,” Valle said.
As she prepares for the next step in her social work career, another aspect of the program that Valle shared as valuable was the feedback from her professors and the time they took to provide supportive insight to ensure she was moving in the right direction.
“While I was anxiously awaiting assignments to be graded, I really appreciated the time all my professors took to look over my assignments and provide feedback,” Valle said. “This was not something I anticipated knowing how big the CoSW is, but it is something I am grateful for as it has prepared me for my future in this profession.”
Following graduation, Valle will continue her work with the Kansas Department for Children and Families in the Exploited and Missing Children Unit, transitioning into a full-time role after completing her practicum there. Continuing to gain experience, Valle aspires to be a children’s hospital social worker.
As Valle prepares to walk across the commencement stage, she is reminded of her why – her family – and is excited to see all her hard work pay off.
“Being a first-generation Latina woman, I didn’t have a lot of people that I could look up to growing up. Walking across the stage will be a full-circle moment for me as I hope I can be someone my younger brother and cousins can look up to,” Valle said. “This diploma will symbolize how all the sacrifices my immigrant parents made paid off. Getting my MSW is the least I could do for them as they have given me the world and so much more.”