UT College of Social Work two-time alum Evie Nogales Baker (MSSW 2005, DSW 2023) and her son, BSSW student Evan Nogales Baker (expected to graduate in 2027) have a special affinity for the college. Both have chosen social work as a career path and agree that building relationships with peers and faculty has helped shape them in ways they never imagined. They have a unique bond with the college, with the social work programs, and with each other.
Q: What were/are your favorite parts of the programs?
Evie: Looking back, my favorite part of the program was the relationships I built with my peers and instructors. Collaborating with like-minded professionals who shared my passion reminded me that I was not alone on the journey. We faced the same challenges, grew together, and pushed each other forward. I still hear from my cohort from time to time, and those memories always bring a smile. That sense of community was grounding and set the tone for the kind of professional I wanted to become. My instructors left a lasting impact on me as well. Dr. Nugent had a gift for making research feel practical and manageable, and his patience made a real difference. Because of him, I actually grew to enjoy research, and I now share that with my own students. Dr. Mindrup had a way of making complex material feel relevant and accessible. Dr. Strand guided me from my master’s program through my doctoral program as my chair, and her influence stays with me to this day. I regularly share her wisdom with my students. I am deeply grateful for this program and for the people who made it what it is.
Evan: My favorite part has been the friendships and connections I’ve made with my classmates. Our college is pretty small compared to the rest of the university, which makes it really easy to build relationships, whether that’s in class or through organizations like BSWO, you can find your community. I’m also part of the College of Social Work’s honors program, where we have a close-knit cohort of about 10 people. I really enjoy having discussions with them and seeing them throughout the day. I also love being an ambassador; it’s honestly some of the most fun I have on campus. Getting to meet incoming students is really rewarding, and all the ambassadors here are really close friends. I also really love my field internship. Getting to put everything I’m learning into practice is so cool and is such a unique college-level experience compared to other majors on campus. One last thing I love about my life in the BSSW program is that after a long day of classes or my field internship, I can call my mom and talk about everything. Since she’s also a social worker, hearing her perspective on what I’m doing or learning means a lot and helps me better understand what I’m practicing.
Q: What are you doing now?
Evie: For the past 20 years, I have been a professor in the School of Social Work at Southern Adventist University, where I teach in both the bachelor’s and master’s programs. I also dedicate a few hours each week to a small local church counseling center, where I provide counseling, direct support, and supervision. The degrees I obtained from the College of Social Work opened many doors for me. They brought credibility, opportunity, and access that shaped my career in meaningful ways. The relationships, knowledge, and values I gained from both programs influence how I practice and teach every day. What UT instilled in me, I now work to pass on to the next generation of social workers.
Q: What do you hope to do after you graduate?
Evan: As cliché as it might sound, I hope to eventually open a private clinical practice with my mom after gaining a few years of experience in the field. Directly after the BSSW program, I want to get my MSSW in the advanced standing program so I can graduate with my master’s in one year.
Q: Did your mom being in social work have any influence on your decision to get your BSSW?
Evan: Honestly, not as much as you might expect given that she’s a social worker. I originally planned to go into nursing, but after taking biology, I quickly realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. When I was trying to figure out my next step, I called my mom. I remember her saying in simple terms that social work is “nursing for the mind.” That really stuck with me, and it ultimately led me to where I am now.
Q: What were your thoughts when Evan said he wanted to get his BSSW?
Evie: I wasn’t completely surprised. Evan has always been kind, thoughtful, and approachable. He grew up surrounded by my colleagues at Southern and the world of social work, yet none of us ever pushed him in that direction. He even considered nursing for a time, and I was fully supportive of that path. Whenever he came to our events, the children would gravitate toward him immediately. Even in middle school, peers would come to him with serious concerns, and he would always come to me asking how to handle them and then act on them right away. When he told me he wanted to pursue social work, I connected him with Dr. Mindrup and simply said, “Just learn what social work is all about, and then make your own choice.” I wanted him to do his own research and arrive at his own decision. And he did exactly that. He calls me regularly, excited about everything he is learning. This is his calling. I can see it in his eyes, just as this profession has always been a calling for me.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Evie: I hope that whatever path Evan chooses within social work, it brings him as many opportunities as this profession has brought me. What I love most about social work is the diversity of directions it can take you. I had so many wonderful experiences before finding my way to teaching, and I hope Evan’s journey is equally fulfilling. I am also deeply grateful to the UTK College of Social Work for its commitment to social work education and for finding ways to stay creative in inspiring young people to get excited about the profession. That is not always easy. I am grateful for the mentoring and leadership they continue to provide.
Evan: My mom and I are both members of Phi Alpha, the Social Work Honor Society. One of my mom’s professors was Dr. Robert Mindrup, who is my BSSW program director. Also, while my mom was doing her MSSW here at the college, she did research with Dr. Bill Nugent who will also be doing my senior honors research with me during my senior year. It’s such a comforting feeling to know that we have had so many paths that have crossed even though they might have at different times. I am excited about what the future will bring, and I am grateful to have my mom as such an amazing role model.