Field Education Experiences Growth

Our Department’s Field Education team continued to expand over the 2021-2022 academic year, adding 35 new field partners and more than 70 individual field instructors. Laura Benesch, Director of BSSW Field Education, noted that among the new Field Sites, five are outside of Minnesota. Out of state Field Sites include Illinois, Georgia, South Dakota, Texas, and Canada. While out of region sites require additional planning and vetting on the part of the field education staff, it provides students with greater opportunities to complete their practicums. Mariah Gardner, BSSW ’22 (pictured at graduation), provided the following reflection on completing her practicum experience in Canada. Mariah’s story

“Once I found out we were required to complete a senior practicum, I knew I wanted to do my placement in Canada. I spoke with Professor Debra Gohagan to see if it was possible. I don’t remember her exact words, but I was told something along these lines, “I don’t see why not.” As an Indigenous woman, I hoped to complete my placement at an organization that focused on the healing and wellbeing of Indigenous youths and families.

That being said, I was fortunate enough to be a studentintern at Dilico Anishinabek Family Care in Thunder Bay,

Ontario. The Social Work Department at Minnesota State

Mankato worked diligently to make this hope a reality.

Working with an International Placement was a great experience that challenged my abilities as a Social Work

Student. I had been pushed out of my comfort zone on numerous occasions to ensure all requirements were met. As challenges arose, I had to accept feedback and criticism on my performance, and then learn how to successfully apply it to new tasks to grow as a student, and individual. To achieve success through a first-time international placement, it was important to utilize clear and concise communication. I had continual guidance from my placement supervisor, Josee Ferarri and

Minnesota State Mankato academic supervisor, Christine

Black-Hughes. Social Work Professor Black-Hughes played a significant role in my success as her endless support was motivation to strive for the most in every setting, whether that be through academics or life goals.

Not only did I have her support, but support from other social work faculty from Minnesota State Mankato. I will always be grateful for the amount of support I received from the Social Work Department throughout my time at

Minnesota State Mankato.” Recent trends During the 2021-2022 academic year, 130 BSSW and MSW students completed a field practicum. Between the two programs, MSW and BSSW students completed 58,765 practicum hours last year! Laura Benesch shared that due to the pandemic, more than half of current students are completing their practicum outside of the Mankato – St Peter region. While BSSW students always represent a broad range of interests for practicum sites, Laura Benesch is noticing a recent uptick in interest in school social work, medical social work, and behavioral health care settings. For the 2022-2023 academic year, Department Field Directors Benesch and Malterer will be integrating newly published 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards from the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) across the multiple field education forms, syllabi, and documents. Additionally, there are plans to reengage with community partners and return to pre-pandemic events and activities.

If you are interested in becoming involved with the field program, please reach out to either Laura Benesch - laura.benesch@mnsu.edu, and/or Abby Malterer - abigail. malterer.2@mnsu.edu.