3 minute read
Student Center
Student Leader Spotlight
MONIKA J. SOTO
Monika J. Soto—a BSW student at Seton Hall University, class of 2020—is passionate about working in government. This school year, she is interning at the office of 36th District Assemblyman, Gary Schaer. As a social work intern, she assists with constituent services, as well as conducting research and analysis on the various legislative efforts worked on by his team.
Monika says she is passionate about social justice and advocacy and for ensuring representation in government of underrepresented populations in our society. “The population I have always been most passionate about working with are immigrants” says Monika, “as well as other groups of marginalized people such as the black and latinx communities.”
“As a Latina, I am well aware of the racism, micro-aggressions, and violation of human rights that occur daily within marginalized communities,” she continues. “Thus, I would like to dedicate my life to continuing the fight for the liberation of black and brown people. Social work is the profession that gives me the knowledge necessary to better understand effective ways to implement positive change while advocating for my people.”
When not engaged in her social work studies, Monika keeps extremely busy as a leader on campus. She is the founding President of the newly chartered Seton Hall Chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. She is the immediate past President and current Vice President of the Psi Pi Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and serves as the Atlantic Region Undergraduate Member at Large on the Regional Executive Board. In addition, she serves as Vice President of the Student Social Workers Association on campus, and as Public Relations chair for Phi Alpha Delta International Law Fraternity. She also works as an enrichment coach at Clinton Hill Middle School in Newark, NJ and runs a small business out of her home selling custom hand-painted craftwork.
“Being a social work student at Seton Hall has been an amazing experience thus far,” concludes Monika. “I have been blessed to come in contact with so many great professors, professionals, constituents, and clients who have all contributed to the ongoing and rewarding experience of being a social worker-in-training. I look forward to putting my skills to use after graduation.”
JOIN US FOR OUR PRIVATE PRACTICE SYMPOSIUM 2.0!
Are you a social work student in either a BSW or MSW program? Did you know that student members have an exclusive opportunity to apply for the Harriet Bloomfield Scholarship? You do—read on to learn more about this exclusive opportunity.
About the Harriet Bloomfield Scholarship:
The Harriet Bloomfield Memorial Scholarship Fund is dedicated to the memory of Social Worker Harriet Bloomfield. Harriet was a charter member of NASW. She worked for the Elizabeth Board of Education before retiring in 1984. She served as director of social services at Bonnie Brae Farm for Boys, Millington from 1956 to 1960 and was with DYFS from 1944 to 1956. She taught at Kean College and Rutgers University and organized the Center for Infant Development and teen-parent program in conjunction with the Rutgers Graduate School of Social Work and the Elizabeth Board of Education. Mayor’s Advisory Committee for Community Development Funds in Elizabeth and the Clark Juvenile Conference Committee.
Each year, up to three scholarships will be awarded in honor of the legacy that Harriet built.
Qualifications:
• Be an NASW-NJ member in good standing (you’ll be required to submit your membership number in the application)
• Enrolled in an accredited BSW or MSW program.
• Complete online application at www. naswnj.org/Membership/Student-Center
• Copy of transcript
Deadline: Applications must be submitted by May 1, 2020
Harriet served the New Jersey Chapter in a variety of positions. She was first vice-president, chair of the PACE committee, a delegate to the Delegate Assembly and a member of the annual conference committee. In 1989 the chapter honored her as Social Worker of the Year. She also served on the board of Jewish Family Services of Central New Jersey, the
DESIGNED FOR BOTH NEW AND EXPERIENCED PRACTICE OWNERS.
