Emma Grace Blackmon is a senior in the BSSW program. Blackmon plans to eventually get her Masters in Social Work and her Juris Doctorate. In the future she’d like to open a community outreach program specifically targeting the LGBTQ+ population. She is doing her field placement at Ridgeview Behavioral Health working with the Mothers and Infants Sober Together (MIST) program. The program helps mothers who are struggling or have struggled with addiction get the help and support they need to create a positive environment for the children. Blackmon has gotten to help with different group classes, and is looking forward to running a class herself soon.

Despite the fact that she is graduating with her BSSW in three years instead of four, Blackmon changed her major three times in her first year at UT. She started as a theater major, then moved to History and Education. A friend of hers who was in the Social Work program suggested that she check out Social Work, since Blackmon had talked with her friend about how she really wanted to help people, but wasn’t sure of what path to take to get there.

Blackmon met with CSW Advisor Amanda Gandy and found that Social Work was going to be the best path for her to be able to make the changes she wants to see in this world.

When it comes to advice for incoming students, or students on the fence about social work Blackmon had this to say:

“Talk to Amanda, she’s amazing, and she’s always willing to talk, even if you find out this isn’t for you. Take Social Work 200 or 250, they both give you a really good oversight of the program and possible career paths. But I’ve loved Social Work. The work is so rewarding, and the connections you make are so rewarding. I’ve had a wonderful experience. The College of Social Work really does live the ‘Vol means All’ and the ‘Vols help Vols’ mantra. I love it, and it’s absolutely wonderful.”