STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: SAMANTHA BOLDEN

SAMANTHA BOLDEN

SOCIAL WORK SENIOR MAJORS IN UNDERSTANDING

Caring, a necessary trait when working with people, comes naturally for some. Take Samantha Bolden, a senior social work major from Sidon, Miss. She decided as a high school senior that social work would be her career path. At Delta State, Bolden has followed this route in many ways. For instance, her devotion to the field as a community college transfer student recently resulted in straight As for two straight semesters. Outside the classroom, Bolden is vice president of the campus chapter of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work and a member of the Phi Alpha Honor Society for social work students and the Social Work Club, plus a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Student Senate, Career Ambassadors, and Phi Mu Fraternity. Taylor Skelton, an instructor in social work at DSU, said, “Samantha is such a joy! Her kind, gentle spirit is reflected in her passion for the social work profession. Samantha’s desire to work with geriatric populations speaks volumes about her caring, servant heart.” After graduation, Bolden plans to pursue a master’s degree in social work from Jackson State University. She discusses her journey below. —Caroline George Fletcher ’15

What sets Delta State apart from other universities?

Delta State is my home away from home. I fell in love with DSU because of the people and the environment. Delta State also offers no out-of-state tuition, which most universities have. I feel that DSU has a lot of diversity compared to other universities. DSU has students from all over the globe, and that gives us opportunity to gain experience with other cultures. I have met so many wonderful people who have a different background from me, and I have learned so much from them.

How has Delta State, particularly professors, prepared you for your career in social work?

The Social Work Department has been a blessing. They prepared me on the importance of empathy and how to become a person who can help change the world one person, family, or community at a time. They also always make sure that we understand the importance of ethics in social work and that we have follow them at all times.

The theme of this edition is caring. What have Delta State and the Social Work Department done to help you become more caring?

I am confident I have become more caring. Delta State taught me that caring for yourself and others around you is important. Delta State’s faculty and staff showed me the first time I walked on campus that they all cared about me, my education, and my future. They took time out of their schedules to make sure I had everything I needed to succeed here and in life. For me, the support that DSU faculty and staff have given me and all the other students is overwhelming and inspiring. If I had to choose one word to describe the Social Work Department, it would be “caring.” I have never experienced a day in the Social Work Department in which professors didn’t show that they cared about students and their future. This faith made me care more about my own success and encouraged me not to give up. As a future social worker, I know that showing empathy toward clients is a particularly important skill. To be a successful social worker, you have to love and care about the job you are doing because you are changing someone’s life.