LEXINGTON, Ky. – Leaving her legacy at the University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW), Jordin Williams will receive her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) from UK on December 19. Williams is a trailblazer within the CJ program, creating a lasting community of change during her time at UK.
Graduating in only 2.5 years, Williams, a first-generation college student, is the co-founder and President of the Criminal Justice Association, a CoSW Student Ambassador, K-Week Leader, and the recipient of the Dean’s Outstanding Service Award. She was also accepted into the CoSW Accelerated Master of Social Work (MSW) Program, taking graduate level classes for a jump start on her MSW..
Through all of this success, Williams credits the CoSW for the support she received along the way.
“I felt my College of Social Work professors, the Dean, and everybody associated with the College saw me for who I was, not just a number, and that made me want to get more involved and help out in any way that I could,” Williams shared.
Another support Williams received along the way is the UK Women & Philanthropy Scholarship, which helped her focus on her academics her final semester and not on the financial strain of tuition.
As an out of state student from Vicksburg, Mississippi, Williams shares that the scholarship opportunities offered by UK were a huge help in her academic success, encouraging other out of state students to follow in her footsteps.
“I encourage all interested students, whether they are from Kentucky or out of state, to come visit campus. Once you meet people and experience the campus environment, you will fall in love,” Williams said. “Everybody wants to feel supported, and you will feel supported at UK College of Social Work. It really is just a big community, and we would love for you to be a part of that.”
Exploring careers and opportunities in both criminal justice and social work, Williams shares that she recently became a registered behavioral technician, working with children with autism. She has also found a passion for the field of victim advocacy; a path she hopes to pursue following graduation.
Reflecting on her time (so far) in the College, Williams speaks on the personal hard work and dedication, as well as the support she received on her journey. A reminder of the difference a scholarship can make in a student’s life, and the lives that student can change with a social work or criminal justice degree.
“Graduating from the College of Social Work, it means the world to me,” Williams shared. “The family that I’ve built here, the friends, the community, I love it. And I think that’s why I ultimately chose to stay here for another year, because I love the family and the support that I have here at UK.”
