The newly selected Social Work Honors students will start their new roles this Fall. Congratulations to these dedicated and hard-working students.
Evan Baker
Chattanooga, Tennessee
How did you become interested in social work: I became interested in social work through my mother, who graduated with her doctorate from UTK a few years ago. I want to be able to one day open up my own practice with her.
What are you looking forward to this fall: I am looking forward to meeting my cohort and seeing what our major-specific courses have in store.
Desiree Bland
Deer Park, Texas
How did you become interested in social work: I did not have the best childhood and grew up with a lot of instability, so I have always wanted to help create a better environment for others and advocate for those who may be unable to.
What are you looking forward to this fall: I am most excited to get into all the social work classes and learn the information. I am super excited for Human Behavior in the Social Environment and Honors: Social Welfare Policy and Programs, and to go through the process of choosing a field placement.
Rayne Erickson
Springfield, Tennessee
How did you become interested in social work: My mom worked in the billing department at a hospital and made me aware of medical social work. Once I did some research and had the opportunity to shadow, I fell in love with the medical social work profession. It was everything I wanted to do; work in hospitals, help patients, and advocate for others.
What are you looking forward to this fall: I am excited to meet all of the other honors students and start my social work classes! Most of all, I am excited to figure out my field placement!
Caroline Greenholtz
Chattanooga, TN
How did you become interested in social work: I’ve always wanted to go into a helping profession and shape my career around bettering the lives of those around me, yet I didn’t really know how to go about doing that. When I was in high school, I took a career aptitude quiz, and all my answers were centered around social work, and it opened a whole new world for me. Social work offers a variety of professions and ways to help people. It also allows me to combine my other passion for politics to help people through a career in political advocacy.
What are you looking forward to this fall: In general, I’m looking forward to my third year in the Pride of the Southland marching band color guard. In academics, I’m interested in learning about field opportunities so I can be placed in an environment where I can learn about where my talents best lie, and I can help people the most.
Haley Gregory
Maryville, Tennessee
How did you become interested in social work: Social Work allows me to blend my burden for others and my community, while making an asserted effort to peruse both a sustainable career, and my faith.
What are you looking forward to this fall: I am looking forward to being one step closer to fulfilling my dreams.
Alayna Heifner
Knoxville, Tennessee
How did you become interested in social work: My parents, who are licensed professional counselors, instilled in me a love of the mental health field. Growing up, I began to notice welfare gaps and discrimination against marginalized groups in the community and the wider United States. I began to study principles of social justice and have been passionate about social work values ever since.
What are you looking forward to this fall: I am most looking forward to deepening my knowledge of the social work field in the upcoming fall semester so I can better embody principles of social justice.
Ella Levering
Knoxville, TN
How did you become interested in social work: I always knew I wanted to help people, but my youth leader at church started fostering a little girl coming from a terrible home life. She got her at three days old, and eventually got to adopt her at two years old. The whole process made me realize that foster care/adoption was something I was really interested in. I am still open to other options but I know that I for sure want to work with kids and help give them the best life that they deserve!
What are you looking forward to this fall: Social work classes and making new relationships, strengthening current ones!
Vallee Vanover
Knoxville, Tennessee
How did you become interested in social work: I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in a helping profession. Social Work was a way that I could combine my caring characteristics with my love for helping the local community!
What are you looking forward to this fall: School-wise, I am looking forward to starting my upper-level social work classes and meeting my cohort. I am also very excited for football season.
John Woods
Knoxville, Tennessee
How did you become interested in social work: I became interested in social work because I would eventually like to become a therapist, and I like how social work takes a holistic approach to helping others.
What are you looking forward to this fall: I’m most looking forward to meeting new people and expanding my knowledge on social work.