I hope this newsletter finds you well motivated to make a difference in the world through social work! In this newsletter #5, I want to share updates about the program and to also welcome our new Practicum Director, Sergio Serna.  Let’s dive in!

First, I’m pleased to welcome the first students to the MSW program. We have an exciting group of students who have accepted the challenge of becoming part of SMU’s first social work class of 2027. Students range in age from 25 to their mid 50’s. To date, the majority of our incoming class are women of color, with 30% who identify as African-American, 40% who identify as Latina/Hispanic and 30% who identify as Caucasian. All are strong applicants with great experiences working in the social service sector. 

Second, I want to let you know that there is still time to join us in the fall semester! We have extended the application deadline. Please contact me to set a submission deadline that will work with your schedule. 

That individualized approach is part of what we hope to offer within the SMU MSW program. Our commitment is to model the respect and support to our students in the same way that we hope each of you as social workers will provide individualized care and support to your clients. 

We will continue to hold Q&A sessions every Tuesday evening to answer your questions about applying to the program, and there are also webinars with more in-depth details about the program offered every other Saturday morning. The Zoom links to both sessions are available on our website: https://www.samuelmerritt.edu/college-health-sciences/master-social-work

I’m also excited to announce that the MSW program has received grant funding to participate in SMU’s Connect To Success program. This program will loan a new apple iPad, plus keyboard and stylus pen to each of our incoming students. There will also be training for both students and faculty on how to incorporate these technologies into our classroom settings and we are negotiating to have all student textbooks available on the iPads.

Finally, I want to welcome Sergio Serna to the faculty as our Director of Practicum Education. 

Sergio Serna is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) whose interests include social work education, public child welfare and technology.  He is committed to supporting students in their development as professionals and social workers as they enter a demanding and rewarding field.  Most recently Mr. Serna worked at the Center for States providing technical assistance and project management surrounding issues of DEI, technology, and child welfare policy for the West Coast.

Sergio has also worked as a field consultant for UC Berkeley and UCLA in their Social Welfare Master's programs. As a field consultant he helped train first and second-year students placed in a variety of social work settings in preparation for careers in health, mental health, and child welfare.

Mr. Serna previously served as a social worker for the Center for Juvenile Law and Policy based at Loyola Law School. He helped to interpret the context in which legal problems develop for youth due to poverty, minority membership, educational issues, gang membership, and history of abuse. Sergio was also a therapist at the Children’s Institute, Inc., working with children and families from Koreatown and surrounding areas of Los Angeles.  While there, he provided individual, family and group therapy and specialized in serving clients suffering from complex trauma due to exposure to domestic violence, sexual abuse, and community violence. 

Sergio is committed to promoting diversity and equity and to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all SMU’s MSW students. 

I invite you to come and join us in creating this exciting new social work learning community in Oakland. Remember we will be here to support you in submitting your applications. Please reach out if you have questions or hit any roadblocks in your application process. Calendly applications for one-on-one sessions are available with me athttps://calendly.com/bbarr-gce/smumasterofsocialwork?month=2023-06

Our email addresses are bbarr@samuelmerrit.ed and sserna@samuelmerritt.edu so please reach out with questions and remember that we are here to support you in your educational journey. 

Warm regards, 

Ben

Ben-David Barr, PhD, MSW

MSW Department Chair Samuel Merritt University