by Natalia Kirychuk, Student Public Relations Writer
Senior social work major Abby Snow has been chosen as the social work Student of the Year for region seven of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Ohio Chapter.
NASW is the largest and most recognized membership organization of professional social workers. Its goal is to advocate for the social work profession and provide access to new ideas and exceptional resources. NASW boasts more than 130,000 members nationwide and nearly 5,000 in Ohio alone.
“I hope that through this award I will be able to share my passion for social work with others,” said Snow. “I truly believe that Christian social work is important because we have the ability to share hope and encouragement through working with clients.”
Region seven of NASW Ohio presented six awards on November 20 at a reception in Dayton. The awards were presented for Lifetime Achievement, Agency of the Year, Social Worker of the Year, Associate’s Degree Student of the Year, Master of Social Work Student of the Year and Bachelor of Social Work Student of the Year.
Snow chose social work because of her desire to serve and bring hope to others. She became interested in the profession when close family friends adopted a little girl from Bulgaria. Seeing the joy that adoption brought her family and others made her excited to pursue it as a career. She has recently become increasingly interested in medical social work but is open to other areas.
“I believe my career in social work connects well with my faith,” Snow observed. “I have learned that social work is based on helping others where they are in their lives. The social work field is able to give me the opportunity to share Jesus' love to those who need it. My career and faith connect every day as I work in the social work field serving others.”
Snow has been involved at Cedarville serving as vice president of Epsilon Alphi Pi, a social work service organization, and participating in Phi Alpha, the national social work honors organization. She has collaborated on research in the department of social work and the school of pharmacy and eagerly volunteers to share her passion for social work with prospective students.
“Abby has consistently demonstrated commitment to the values, knowledge and skills of the social work profession,” said Melissa Brown, assistant professor of social work. “She demonstrates a teachable spirit in her field experiences. Her field instructors provide high praise of her insightful comments and questions, as well as her compassion for others. She is a joy to have in our department.
“The receipt of this award demonstrates Cedarville University's commitment to excellence in the classroom and in the field,” Brown continued. “Students are taught from a biblical worldview and are prepared with practical skills to serve in any environment. Graduates of the social work program are well prepared to engage their world for Christ.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,193 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.