On any given day there are many jobs going unfilled in Michigan's Great Southwest. The team at Western Michigan University's Southwest Campus in Benton Harbor are working hard to make sure that some of the jobs of the future won't meet that same fate.
Southwest Michigan has a growing need for qualified social workers and currently, 85 percent of social work professions require a master’s of social work. To meet that need, Western Michigan University-Southwest, on Napier Avenue in Benton Harbor, recently began offering a program continuum that allows individuals to earn a bachelor’s of social work and an M.S.W.
Students with an associate degree or 50 to 60 credits in a related field from Lake Michigan College or Southwestern Michigan College can transfer to WMU to complete a B.S.W. and continue into the M.S.W. program.
Bridgette Isom, B.S.W. 2012, M.S.W. 2015 is a Benton Harbor native who earned her associate degree as a working adult from Lake Michigan College. The partnership between WMU and Lake Michigan College allows LMC’s students to make a seamless transition into programs at WMU.
Isom tells us, “The advisors at both LMC and WMU were incredibly helpful in guiding me towards a social work career and the programs available at Western Michigan University where I earned both my bachelor’s and master’s of social work degrees.”
At the time Isom was studying for her B.S.W., she was driving 50 miles to WMU’s Kalamazoo campus to attend class. Recently, WMU began offering the B.S.W. program at WMU-Southwest in Benton Harbor to meet the demand for social work professionals in the area.
Isom was delighted, “The addition of the bachelor’s degree in Benton Harbor allows students to commit more time to developing their professional social work skills.” She adds, “Earning my master’s in Benton Harbor gave me time to study, spend time with family, and complete an internship because I didn’t have to drive an hour to class.”
The B.S.W. and M.S.W. continuum includes a 400-hour internship at a human service agency or nonprofit organization that focuses on issues that are important in the Southwest, Michigan region. It prepares students to support social and economic justice as well as personal well-being for people living in the community.
Isom completed her concentrated master’s internship at the Riverwood Mental Health Center in Benton Harbor. Her internship as a home-based therapist provided direct support to local families and individuals while providing Isom with the opportunity to apply the therapies and treatments she learned in her WMU studies.
Luann Harden is Regional Director for Western Michigan University's Southwest Campus. She says, “Offering the continuum of social work education in its entirety at WMU–Southwest, allows students to complete their education close to home.” She notes, “It also supports organizations located in Southwest Michigan by preparing students who are prospective employees with a professional social work education.”
Following graduation Isom worked as a case manager at the Riverwood Mental Health Center where she completed her internship.
Recently, Isom decided to continue her career at Woodlands Behavioral Health Network in Cassopolis as an outpatient therapist where she provides intensive clinical therapeutic services to mental health patients.
Isom says, “I often reflect and refer to my notes from WMU professors Marian Tripplett and Barb Howes.” She says, “I can say with confidence that they have prepared me for my career and provided me the knowledge to give back to my home community by providing mental health options for patients and their families.”
Currently, Isom is also enrolled in WMU’s online specialty program in alcohol and drug abuse to earn certification that will allow her to counsel those struggling with addictions.
Isom is glad she chose to enroll at WMU. “Western taught me more than just coursework; it taught me how to cope. My life was busy with being a foster mom, taking high-level courses, and working. Western was always there for support.”
