Student & Alumni Profiles and Comments
Sally Connolly '11
"The program is challenging but extremely grounded in hands-on application of theory and evidence-guided practice. Classes are discussion and project- based. I enjoy this because each student has his/her own lens through which ideas are filtered; thus I am introduced to viewpoints that never would have occurred to me." read more
Mike Haimes '11
"The 3,200 mile move cross country has been worth every inch. The UNE faculty is interesting, accessible and open to ideas and ways to better the classes. My peers are experienced and engaged, and Portland grows more unique by the day. UNE has been a great choice. " read more
Lita Blanchard '10
"I have to say that one of the important aspects that drew me to UNE's MSW program is the emphasis on social justice. In addition, I really do appreciate the different teaching styles, expertise, and insight of the professors." read more
Jeremy Brown '10
"I mostly enjoy the discussions that students have with each other as well as with professors in and outside of class; the professors are very accessible and always willing to sit and talk. I find there is a real community amongst social workers at UNE." read more
Student and Alumni Comments
- Andrea Longpre Macht, M.S.W. '99
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Coordinator, Norton Sound Region of Alaska
"I wanted to share some of my story with prospective and current students and alumni and to give you some indicator of how UNE graduates are doing here in "the real world." I am thankful for the time, energy, humor, and expertise that the faculty at the School of Social Work provided me. A large part of my work is now in educating people, and I can hear each of their voices as I pass on my knowledge."
- Richard D. Tryon '04
First-Year M.S.W Student
"UNE's School of Social Work's mission and its commitment to peace, social justice and fighting oppression fit. I have been a social activist most of my life, and it felt like I was joining with sisters and brothers to continue the work. I was treated with respect and dignity from the start."
- Lila Balch '03
Second-Year M.S.W. Student
"The focus of the M.S.W. school has allowed me to explore post-modern therapies such as solution focus and narrative therapies. These approaches to the work are so empowering because they put the client as the expert, allowing the therapist to enjoy the role of facilitating the wisdom within the client."
- Susannah Ford, M.S.W.
Social Worker, Casey Family Services Reunification Program
"The UNE social work program gave me a solid understanding of human nature, and encouraged me to explore the individual human experience. Consequently, my work involves studying human joy, and angst in a way that is helpful to individuals rather than focusing on pathology. The most valuable gift I received at UNE is understanding the value of honoring and nurturing individual spirituality as a way of enriching the human experience."
- Kate Kearnan, M.S.W.
Home Base Therapist, White Mountain Mental Health
"I've been thinking about what led me to UNE. At the time I was doing my search I looked at many schools. The thing that struck me about UNE was the mission statement of the School of Social Work. The words of the statement spoke to me in a very personal way. In hindsight my career at UNE was just what I thought a college experience for an older student would be. I enjoyed the smaller classes, the camaraderie among the students and the leadership of teachers and professors."
- Stephanie Mulherin, M.S.W.
Employee Assistance Triage Specialist, Resource Management Consultants
"After reading their mission statement, I felt that their values were like mine and I knew that UNE was the place I wanted to be. My experience at the School of Social Work enhanced my values and I believe I am a better social worker today. It's great knowing that I have been able to meld my own values with the core social work values and can reflect that in the work I do with all types of people."
- Jeff Kimball
Advanced Year Student
"The small class sizes and individual attention given by the professors has been extremely valuable."
