Jae Hedrick, a 2013 graduate of Newman University’s Master of Social Work program, was honored with the Spirit of Acuto Alumni Award during the university’s Legacy Awards Banquet in April.
The award recognizes alumni who exemplify Newman’s mission through service, leadership and a commitment to improving the lives of others. For Hedrick, the recognition reflects more than a decade spent advocating for vulnerable children and families throughout Kansas.
Today, Hedrick serves as executive director of Gathered, a nonprofit organization dedicated to education, collaboration and what she calls the “radical celebration” of the often unseen work performed by those serving vulnerable populations.
“At this point in my career, I’m most passionate about making sure that there’s a space for people to collaborate, network and feel safe in an effort to really change the way that we take care of children and families in our community,” Hedrick said.
An unexpected calling
Raised by a single mother who worked as a social worker in southeast Kansas, Hedrick witnessed firsthand how demanding the field could be.
“I swore up and down I would never be a social worker,” Hedrick said.
Hedrick initially pursued nursing. She earned her CNA license, then was accepted into nursing school at Southwestern College, even excelling academically with Dean’s List honors. But due to economic hardships following the 2008 recession, Hedrick was forced to make the difficult decision to quit nursing school.
“We couldn’t afford to drive to Winfield,” Hedrick explained. “I was disappointed, but then I thought, ‘What’s like nursing that I can continue?’ I thought, ‘Social work is like nursing without medication,’ so I decided to get my social work degree and maybe apply to a PA program.”
Instead, she ended up falling in love with macro social work and the opportunity to contribute to systemic change in the community.
Newman’s “Degree of Difference”
When she applied to Wichita State University’s Master of Social Work program, she wasn’t accepted. Hedrick took this hard at first, initially believing it was her only opportunity to pursue the career she felt called to do.
“Looking back now, I can clearly see how that redirection was formative,” she said. “I believe God used that moment to guide me through a more well-rounded and healing educational experience at Newman University.”
Hedrick completed Newman’s advanced standing Master of Social Work program in less than a year while balancing practicum responsibilities in local schools.
She credits the university’s emphasis on service, faith and caring for the whole person with shaping her approach to leadership.
“The influence that Newman University had directly on the way that I work was that focus on service to others,” Hedrick said. “We’re not just here to learn, but we’re here to actually listen and think about other people and service over self.”
She also remembers professors who went beyond classroom instruction, helping students navigate personal and financial challenges while fostering an environment where questions, faith and curiosity were welcomed.
“One of my favorite classes was Psychopharmacology with Dr. Duxler, likely because I’m a bit of a nerd and genuinely love understanding the ‘why’ behind things,” Hedrick said. “My professors consistently went out of their way to ensure that I felt supported, seen, heard and treated as a whole and valuable human entering a meaningful helping profession.”
Education in action
Following her graduation from Newman, Hedrick worked in foster care, adoption services, community engagement, child advocacy and refugee support. Those experiences revealed how fragmented systems often create barriers for the very families they aim to help.
Rather than accepting the status quo, Hedrick became determined to bring people together — a value her Newman degree taught her.
Under her leadership, Gathered launched Gathered Strong Sedgwick County, a collaborative initiative involving more than 50 agencies and organizations working to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families.
The effort focuses on helping providers share knowledge, align resources and create more client-centered services.
“We all want to see the families win because when families are healthier, our community’s healthier,” Hedrick said.
Among her proudest accomplishments is seeing Gathered Strong Sedgwick County become a reality and create a space where professionals can have honest conversations about challenges and solutions.
“I’m well known for saying the hard thing, asking the hard question, being the person that’s going to say what everybody else is thinking,” Hedrick said. “Those things need to be said. If we act like nothing is wrong or everything’s great and it’s not, nothing’s going to change.”
For Hedrick, receiving the Spirit of Acuto Alumni Award is not simply recognition of past achievements; it’s an affirmation of a mission she continues to pursue every day.
“Ultimately, I hope my work contributes to systems that are more just, relational and responsive — reflecting a deep connection to service, shared responsibility and the dignity of every person,” she said.
Explore Newman’s Master of Social Work program
The Newman University MSW program is intentionally designed to prepare a trauma-responsive behavioral health workforce equipped to serve individuals, families and communities experiencing complex and chronic trauma.
