After more than 30 years of service, Linda Pridgen-Braswell will retire from the School of Social Work at the end of March.
Pridgen-Braswell was first hired as an office manager within the School’s Field Education Program in 1989, where she initially worked for seven years. During her tenure, she also served as an assistant to former associate dean Jan Schopler and then as a business and contract manager with the N.C. Child Welfare Education Collaborative. She returned to the Field Education Program nearly 10 years ago, where she has remained as an office manager.
Over the years, Pridgen-Braswell has been vital to the office’s daily operations, said Tauchiana Williams, director of the School’s 12-month Advanced Standing Program, and a Field Education advisor.
“Linda is absolutely amazing, and there are so many detailed tasks that she has handled effortlessly over the years that has made our student placements, field documents, orientations, workshops, trainings and conferences flow smoothly,” Williams said. “She has demonstrated dedication and selflessness in every activity that she has managed.
“We are sad to see her leave, but she has given 30 years of service to UNC-Chapel Hill, and we are definitely better because of her work.”
Pridgen-Braswell has also welcomed countless numbers of new MSW students to the School during annual orientation activities over the past three decades, served as their supporter and advocate, and cheered their successes following graduation. Those relationships are the ones she’ll miss the most, she said.
“Some of the most important connections I’ve made throughout the years have been with students,” she said. “I’ve been blessed to have so many thoughtful conversations with social work students about troublesome and distressing issues of the day. Honestly, nothing is more fantastic than being recognized and getting a hug from a former student.”
