Student Spotlight

At FIU’s School of Social Work, our goal is to prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to graduate and build successful careers in the field of social work. When the pandemic hit, our students rolled up their sleeves to help community partners in a time of dire need. Through virtual meetings, students worked to ensure people received the support needed to navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic. This dedication and commitment make us proud of our students and excited for the bright futures that lie ahead of them.

I got the idea that I really wanted to work with undocumented immigrants because they’re already underserved in many parts of the world. For refugees and immigrants, there are lots of different organizations with mandates to assist them, but no one recognizes the undocumented as people with rights.”

– Maryam Rafieifar

Social Work student awarded $20,000 Dissertation Fellowship to support work with undocumented immigrants

Maryam Rafieifar, a doctoral student at FIU’s School of Social Work, began her work with undocumented immigrants as a project manager for the International Committee of the Red Cross in her home country of Iran.

When Maryam began her Ph.D., she found many similarities between undocumented children living in the United States and Iran, including the lack of access to social welfare and medical programs. Maryam wanted to understand better how being undocumented or the child of an undocumented parent or parents affects children’s mental health and what resources they could use or need. So, as part of a class project, Maryam began working with the Nora Sandigo Children Foundation, a Miami-based non-profit that aims to help undocumented parents and their children. She was awarded a Global Civic Engagement Mini-Grant, based out of the FIU Center for Leadership and Service, to help host an event – in conjunction with the foundation— that informed mixed-status families about their rights when stopped by the police or ICE.

Today, Maryam is working on her dissertation that explores guardianship as it relates to undocumented families. She won a $20,000 Dissertation Fellowship from the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The AAUW fellowship program will help offset Maryam’s research expenses and stipends while she completes her dissertation. She aims to graduate in spring 2022 and hopes to run a non-profit to support undocumented families one day.

Students answer the call during COVID-19 to serve others

Beginning in March 2020, FIU’s School of Social Work, like similar programs across the nation and world, faced the challenge of classes moving to online and how to handle field practicum. With 128 students in internships in spring 2021, the Office of Field Education quickly worked with students and agencies to develop telehealth and training opportunities. The Field Coordinators reached out to community partners and explored any social work needs interns could assist via telehealth. Student interns assisted with crisis resource lines for a community empowerment agency and checked in on clients via telephone for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. FIU’s School of Social Work enabled those students to continue to learn and grow as well as help the community in its time of need.

Spring 2020 – Fall 2021

• 676 BSSW, generalist MSW, and advanced clinical

MSW interns placed with agencies to provide inperson, telehealth, and hybrid opportunities. • Students contributed 12,488 hours of service.

Honoring students for their contributions to social work

In spring 2021, we honored students who showed outstanding commitment and skill during their internships.

Our Bachelor of Science in Social Work Student Intern of the Year went to Jamie Casimir, who interned at the Miami-Dade County CAHSD Wynwood Neighborhood Center. She provided a variety of social services to economically disadvantaged individuals and families under the supervision of Ulysses Arteaga, LCSW. Mr. Arteaga shared that Jamie “showed initiative in wanting to partake in all the job aspects from emergency evictions to utility assistance, homeless customers, and even VITA tax services.”

Our Master of Social Work—Generalist Level Student Intern of the Year was Daniela Pejcic. She interned at Douglas Gardens Community Mental Health Center under the supervision of Derek S. Moore, LCSW. Daniela provided case management services to low-income residents of the Greater Miami Beach area. Mr. Moore described Daniela as “a person of great integrity” who “has a positive personality that brings energy and inspiration to those she comes in contact with. Her thirst to learn and grow as a clinician make her a great candidate for this profession.”

Our Master of Social Work—Advanced Clinical Student Intern of the Year went to Paige Carter. Paige interned at Banyan Health Systems’ Broward Adult Residential program. Under the supervision of Monica Gallino, LCSW, Paige provided individual and group therapy to substance-using clients. Ms. Gallino remarked that “Paige conducts herself in the utmost professional manner with all clients and staff alike. Paige’s passion for social work shines through in her work with her clients.”