As part of the Graduate School of Social Service’s “Class of 2025 Changemakers” series, we’re spotlighting graduating students transforming their professional paths through the Master of Social Work (MSW) program.
Lily Hammer, GSS ’25, a full-time Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service (GSS), has always felt drawn to the aging field. Now, as she prepares to graduate this May, she is set to continue making a meaningful impact—having already secured a full-time position with Selfhelp Community Services, where she completed both of her field placements as an MSW student.
Hammer is also the recipient of the 2025 Uptown Interagency Council (UIC) Scholarship Award, given to a Specialist year student for their passion and dedication to the aging services field. GSS matches the amount awarded to the student.
“Lily definitely deserves this,” said Fay Kahan, a social worker at the Mount Sinai Martha Stewart Center who oversees the UIC scholarship program. “Even when she presented to us, you could see that she really had an interest and a love of working with the elderly.”
“It felt great to be recognized as part of this whole collective with these professionals in the aging [profession],” Hammer said. “It made me feel proud of where I fit in the field.”
Finding Her Passion in Social Work
Hammer’s journey to social work wasn’t linear. Initially a psychology major, she was drawn to mental health and human services, but a twist in her path found her working as a paralegal after graduating. The experience left her wanting more connection in her work.
“I ended up working as a corporate paralegal because I thought maybe law might be a path I wanted to go down,” she said. “But after a year of that, I really missed working with people and making a difference.”
Hammer’s passion for working with older adults was deeply personal. Her meaningful relationships with her older adult family members influenced her to search for a career path that offered similar fulfillment.
Additionally, Hammer said her involvement in college activities, such as visiting a local retirement home and interning with an organization focused on Alzheimer’s education, helped solidify the decision to pursue gerontology professionally.
Choosing Fordham as a Place to Grow
Hammer said Fordham stood out for several reasons when selecting an MSW program.
“I definitely wanted to stay in New York City, and I loved the feel of Fordham’s [Lincoln Center] campus,” she said. “The small class sizes were important to me. I liked the ability to connect with classmates and professors.”
Another major draw was Fordham GSS’s focus on aging as a specialty field of social work. For example, the Ravazzin Center on Aging and Intergenerational Studies, chaired by GSS Professor Janna Heyman, Ph.D., and dedicated to research and advocacy for older adults, is one of Fordham GSS’s unique Centers and Institutes. The Ravazzin Center also offers scholarships to students interested in the aging field, and Hammer is this year’s recipient. She is collaborating with the Ravazzin Center on multiple “Careers in Aging” panels available to MSW students at Fordham.
“Lily is dedicated to working with older adults and families and wants to share her passion with other students,” Heyman said.
Additionally, Fordham is one of the few social work programs in the country with a Fellowship dedicated to Palliative Care. Each year, a select cohort of students receive a scholarship and access to professional workshops, mentorship programs, and a specialty field placement in palliative care. Palliative Care Fellowship Program Director and Fordham GSS Professor Cathy Berkman, Ph.D., nominated Hammer for the UIC scholarship. Dr. Berkman has a strong background in gerontology throughout her MSW and PhD studies and as a post-doctoral Fellow at the Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology at Columbia University School of Public Health. She was happy to support Hammer in her pursuit of a career in aging.
“I had the honor of teaching Lily in my Generalist year research class,” Berkman said. “She was an excellent student — very bright, always well-prepared, and engaged. Her work was of the highest caliber, and she was a delight to have in class.”
“Dr. Berkman and Dr. Heyman are incredible mentors,” Hammer said. “They are experts in the field, and learning from them has been invaluable.”
Gaining Real-World Experience Through Fieldwork
Hammer’s hands-on experience through her field placement at Selfhelp Community Services exposed her to the diverse realities of aging.
“I’ve been working in their housing program, supporting low-income seniors,” she said. “We organize community-building activities like Bingo and multicultural activities and assist residents with benefits applications, Social Security, Medicare, and other services.”
This work was a shift from her previous internship in Selfhelp’s Holocaust Survivor Program, which involved home visits in the Bronx.
“This year, the clients come to me, and I’ve been able to focus on group dynamics, which was a new learning experience,” she said. “Seeing seniors form friendships and build a community has been incredibly rewarding.”
The challenges Hammer faces also strengthen her skills as a social worker, particularly in navigating language barriers. She works with many immigrant older adults, which has been a learning curve.
“Many residents don’t speak English, so I had to learn how to be more culturally sensitive in my communication and use translation services,” Hammer said.
Advice for Future MSW Students Interested in Aging
For those considering a career in aging services, Hammer emphasizes the importance of networking and seizing learning opportunities.
“A great step is reaching out to professionals and professors involved in aging,” she said. “When I first got to Fordham, I cold-emailed professors to build connections, which ultimately led to scholarship opportunities.”
She also recommends taking advantage of conferences and events happening around campus. These opportunities allow you to meet others passionate about similar ideas and career paths, building relationships that will last a lifetime.
“Fordham hosted a huge conference on aging last year, bringing together professionals from across the field,” Hammer said. “These experiences are great for networking and learning.”
A Future in Aging Services
After graduation, Hammer will officially join Selfhelp Community Services in a full-time role, though her exact placement within the organization is still being finalized.
“I know I’ll be working with older adults, and I’m excited to continue this work,” she said.
Reflecting on her time at Fordham, she credits the MSW program with preparing her well for the road ahead. Fordham’s flexible plans of study feature many “Selectives” during the Specialist Phase of the program, allowing students to tailor their education to their interests.
“Classes like Social Work with Older Adults; Palliative Social Work; and Grief, Loss, and Bereavement have been incredibly relevant,” Hammer said. “Even first-year courses that covered social work across the lifespan gave me a solid foundation. And, of course, fieldwork is invaluable. It truly prepares you for what’s next.”
As she enters her career, Hammer plans to follow the advice she gets daily from her field placement clients: enjoy the moment.
“They always remind me, ‘You’re so young, you have so much life ahead of you,’” she said. “It’s a lesson in appreciating where I am now and not worrying too much about the future.”
