Nearly 90 newly admitted students to the School of Social Work’s Advanced Standing and 2-Year Full-Time MSW programs, along with their guests, recently had the opportunity to meet with current faculty, staff and students during the School of Social Work’s annual welcome event. This year’s event, which was hosted on March 24, was the first in-person session the School has hosted since 2019.
These events offer admitted students, especially those who have not yet confirmed their intentions to enroll, the opportunity to sit in on direct practice and community, management, and policy practice classes and to attend presentations and panel discussions on topics including financial aid, curriculum highlights and the overall student experience.
“We always hope that these events help those who have already decided to attend UNC for their MSW education to feel affirmed in their decisions,” said Sharon Holmes Thomas, the School’s assistant dean for recruitment, admissions and financial aid. “And of course, for those students still on the fence about where to enroll, we hope the experience of meeting with some of our outstanding faculty, staff and students provides the positive nudge they have been looking for to commit to our School.”
For Kate Wirth, who will be entering the full-time program in the fall, the welcome event did just that.
“This day made me feel welcomed by the community and ultimately, helped me finalize my decision to become a Tar Heel,” she said.
Ellen Fielder, a first-year student in the full-time program who participated in the student panel discussion, said she was thrilled to see how engaged and passionate the incoming students are about starting their social work education and careers.
“I’m really excited to watch next year’s cohorts take shape, and I can’t wait to see everything they accomplish,” Fielder added.
