From service to research: Student-led volunteerism turns into presentation at national social work conference
VCU’s Bachelor of Social Work Student Association led a yearlong community service initiative that earned three of its student officers a trip to Las Vegas for a national conference in the spring semester.
Seniors Joey Kniceley and Julia Stodard, who graduated with their B.S.W. degrees in May, and junior Autumn Matusiak participated in the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors in March, with a poster presentation on their research around student-led volunteering. The poster, titled “Student-Led Volunteering: How Social Work Students can Benefit from Out-of Classroom Experiences,” also included authors and BSWSA officers Elena Diaz, junior, and Dija Ndiaye, freshman.
They joined Stephanie Odera, Ed.D., the B.S.W. Program director for the VCU School of Social Work. Dr. Odera was part of three research presentations.
I feel that our passion for direct volunteer experience was shaped by our desire to get students out of the classroom and into the community.
– Joey Kniceley
During the academic year, BSWSA held two donation drives and three onsite volunteer experiences, including one at Daily Planet Health Services, a community agency with three locations in Richmond.
“I feel our volunteer experience with the Daily Planet was the most profound,” Kniceley says. “We provided dinner for those within their safe haven program, a transitional housing program with integrated health support services for veterans with mental health or substance use disorders. Not only was it a great experience to get to know others within the B.S.W. Program and become more familiar with a community asset as impactful as the Daily Planet, but it was extremely fulfilling to see the direct and immediate support we could provide as student volunteers.”
Knicely says Richmond offers many opportunities for student service as well as the chance to learn more about organizations where students may work when they graduate.
“I feel that our passion for direct volunteer experience was shaped by our desire to get students out of the classroom and into the community,” he says. “I feel that volunteerism, and specifically, student-organized volunteering, has given me a much deeper appreciation for mezzo-based practice.”
Presenting their research at a national conference was another opportunity to develop advanced skills.
“Participating provided me with a lot of professional information as well as an amazing opportunity to present social work research,” Stodard says. “From this conference, I hope to continue growing my research skills and engaging within the social work community. Overall, it was a great experience!”
Matusiak points to networking with other social work students at the conference, particularly those at the graduate level.
“Observing other poster presentations by these peers was an inspiring experience that fostered personal motivation and pride for my social work colleagues,” she says. “Additionally, visiting Nevada was a valuable opportunity for me, as I don’t have the privilege of traveling far very often. I am immensely grateful to have attended this conference and to everyone who made it possible.”
Knicely says their project can be a guide for how student organizations can support research.
“Our focus was on student leadership, as student leaders are uniquely positioned to develop social work skills like identifying community assets, promoting engagement, maintaining professional communication and fostering relationships,” he says. “Through our efforts, we aimed to create meaningful opportunities for service learning and community impact. We hope that our presentation can serve as a model for other universities looking to support and strengthen student-led organizations like ours.”
Stephanie Odera research presentations
» “BSW Curriculum Renewal: Implementing Programmatic Shared Language to Further Center ADEI Across the Curriculum “
» “Global Social Work Perspectives: Human Rights & Social Justice in Kerala, India”
» “Navigating BSW Education in a Time of Crisis: Teaching and Learning in a Politically and Philosophically Divided Nation”