A master’s degree in social work (MSW) is valuable for many reasons, but for two students of Newman University, an unexpected scholarship made their program experiences even more rewarding.
Thanks to the Gerber Institute, students Zion Bacci and Becky Mascarenas received scholarships to support their Catholic practicum work last semester. They were each assigned their practicum placement through Children’s First, a Wichita nonprofit with a mission to “support students to feel safe and empowered.”
Joshua Papsdorf, director of the graduate theology program and the Gerber Institute, interviewed the MSW scholarship applicants and later helped choose the two recipients.
“Working with social work students who are doing service out in the community seemed like a great way to fulfill the mission of the Gerber Institute and support their work,” said Papsdorf.
Zen Zion
Bacci completed nearly 400 practicum hours at Holy Savior Catholic Academy, a pre-K through eighth-grade school. There, she worked with students of all backgrounds and family dynamics and helped them with their education and overall well-being.
“I am honored, grateful and appreciative to have been chosen to receive the scholarship from the Gerber Institute,” said Bacci.
The scholarship helped Bacci continue working and studying full time as a graduate student while participating in her practicum work.
“The scholarship from the Gerber Institute has helped balance the time and effort put forth into my practicum experience among my other commitments and requirements I face daily. It has pushed me to become an ambassador of my personal morals and ethics while also being a representative of Children’s First and Newman University,” said Bacci.
After the end of her practicum work at Holy Savior in May, Bacci will transition to case management with Thrive Therapy of Kansas.
Bacci explained that Thrive provides cognitive, behavioral, physical, speech and occupational therapies to Medicaid-approved members on the traumatic brain injury waiver. Case managers with Thrive assess, create goals, complete supervisory visits, lead training sessions and provide resources within our community and to their patients.
“I am excited to transition into this new role as it differs from children and family practice. Getting out of my comfort zone was a goal I set for myself this year and I look forward to accomplishing that,” said Bacci.
Bighearted Becky
Mascarenas’ practicum experience through Children’s First has involved teaching Second Step, a social-emotional class for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. She has also counseled a few students throughout the school year.
“When I go into the classroom, before I start teaching the lesson, we open up with a prayer. I have enjoyed learning about the different Catholic prayers,” said Mascarenas.
Thanks to the scholarship, Mascarenas has a clearer picture of her future goals and career opportunities within the social work field.
“It gave me more direction in what I want to do with my degree once I graduate. I want to get my license and end up working in the school district and get training in play therapy,” said Mascarenas.
The Gerber Institute keeps on giving
Papsdorf said the Gerber Institute will continually find ways to support the work of students and faculty that overlap with Catholic ideals.
“We would love to support more students across all of the majors and disciplines,” Papsdorf said. “We’d love to receive more names of students whose service or research projects could connect their studies, Catholic tradition and institutions.”
Newman’s Master in Social Work program
The Master in Social Work program offers students a supportive and individual education in the classroom and in field education.
