FALL 2025 Issue - The Change Agent - The Newsletter for Millerville University's School of Social Work

Sep 21, 2026

Fall 2025 Issue of The Change Agent newsletter for Millersville University’s School of Social Work highlights the semester’s academic themes through the lens of social work values: exploration, professionalism, public mission, inclusion, integrity, and compassion. The chair’s letter emphasizes lifelong learning, service, competence, dignity and worth, integrity, and social justice, supported by faculty, students, and alumni examples. Sections cover Home and School Visitor (HSV) and Post-Master’s SSW certification progress, campus outreach to inspire future professionals, and the publication of Becoming Reflective Educators by doctoral students, including reflections on evidence-based practice, collaboration, and growth.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLifestyle

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

A Letter from the Chair

Exploration/Competence

Professionalism/Dignity and Worth of Individuals

Inspiring Future Social Work Professionals

Social Work Doctorate Students Are Published

F A L L 2 0 2 5 I S S U E The Change Agent The Newsletterfor Millerville University 's School of Social Work A LETTER FROM THE CHAIR Dr. Karen Rice, Department Chair I am honored to share with you some highlights from the Fall 2025 academic semester that speak to both the university's (exploration, professionalism, public mission, inclusion, integrity, compassion) and social work profession's values (competence, service, dignity and worth of the individual, integrity, social justice, importance of human relationships) . For example, our faculty, students, and alumni showcased how, as social workers we demonstrate professionalism by engaging potential students in career exploration; what it means to provide service to others while developing their own professional skills; and how engaging in educational events can foster our social justice advocacy skills. Social work is a values-based profession whose professionals engage in lifelong learning in order to positively affect the lives of individuals, families, and groups, and the environments of organizations and communities. Be sure to check out the professional scholarship from our community of learners. I hope you will be just as inspired by what you read as I was. Together, we can, Be The CHANGE. Karen Rice, PhD, LSW, ACSW EXPLORATION/ COMPETENCE HOME AND SCHOOL VISITOR CERTIFICATE GRADUATES FROM ERIE SCHOOL DISTRICT In Fall 2023, a cohort of twenty candidates began the Home and School Visitor (HSV) Certification Program. The second cohort of ten students, which started in Spring 2024, is now on track to graduate with the HSV certification in Spring 2026. We are excited for the opportunity to once again offer this program to a second group of Erie School District professionals, in collaboration with our colleagues in the Departments of Educational Foundations; Early, Middle, and Exceptional Education; and Special Education. Supporting the professional development and specialization of professionals who work to meet the needs of students and families in PK– 12 continues to be an exciting innovation within the School of Social Work. Learn more about the Home and School Visitor (HSV) and Post-Master’s School Social Work (SSW) Certification Programs by visiting our website: (Post Graduate Certificate Options |Millersville University) . If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us—we are always happy to assist. Thomas Danias--HSV Certification Student "THE MILLERSVILLE HSV/SSW PROGRAM HAS PLAYED A BIG PART IN ENHANCING MY SKILLS IN BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATION, AND TRAUMA INFORMED CARE. IT HAS PREPARED ME TO APPLY AND UTILIZE EVIDENCEBASED STRATEGIES AND EXPLORE THE IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE COLLABORATION WITH TEACHERS, STUDENTS, AND FAMILIES TO SUPPORT ACADEMICS AND SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUCCESS." --THOMAS DANIAS PROFESSIONALISM/ DIGNITY AND WORTH OF INDIVIDUALS INSPIRING FUTURE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSIONALS Dr. Jen Frank, along with two BASW students, visited Penn Manor High School’s Counseling Department to lead an engaging and interactive seminar on the professional of social work and what it entails to be a social worker. The seminar provided potential students insight into the field of social work, highlighting the range of career options available as a social worker, and encouraged students to reflect on the career pathways that aligned with their interests and passions. We look forward to ongoing opportunities to collaborate with our colleagues at Penn Manor as we work together to support the career development of future Marauders. Learn more about our BASW Program. WE APPRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH PENN MANOR HIGH SCHOOL AND TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AS THEY EXPLORE MEANINGFUL CAREERS DEDICATED TO SERVICE, ADVOCACY, AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING-DR. JEN FRANK PROFESSIONALISM/ DIGNITY AND WORTH OF INDIVIDUALS SOCIAL WORK DOCTORATE STUDENTS ARE PUBLISHED We are pleased to share that a group of doctora

FAQs

What program updates are shared in the Fall 2025 issue?

The issue reports progress on the Home and School Visitor (HSV) Certification Program, noting cohort timelines and plans to offer the program again to a new group of Erie School District professionals.

How does the newsletter connect career exploration to professional social work values?

The chair’s letter and the Penn Manor seminar highlight how engaging potential students in educational events supports professionalism, service, and social justice advocacy while encouraging reflective career pathway choices.

What publication is announced by social work doctorate students?

Doctorate students published Becoming Reflective Educators: Perspectives from Social Work Scholar Practitioners, with chapter authorship and peer-reviewed submitted chapters supported by Dr. Leonora Foels and Dr. A. Nicole Pfannenstiel.

Sep 21, 2026

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