The Graduate School of Social Service is proud to announce that two of our Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) students have been selected to serve as student board members for the New York State Social Work Education Association (NYSSWEA).
The two students selected are Taylor Fields and Bryan Jimenez. We had the chance to ask them a few questions about this honor.
Taylor Fields
Why did you want to be on the NYSSWEA board?
I wanted to be on the NYSSWEA board in order to network with faculty, deans and directors, field instructors, students, practitioners, and administrators in New York State concerned with social work education.
What does serving on the NYSSWEA board mean to you?
Serving on the NYSSWEA board means I can deepen my appreciation and capacity to advocate for the needs of others. It also means I can assist in disseminating information, as this is typically a long process.
What are you looking forward to the most about being on this board?
Bryan Jimenez
Why did you want to be on the NYSSWEA board?
I aim to bring a student’s perspective to the New York State Social Work Education Association (NYSSWEA) board, representing the voices and desires of my peers. By actively engaging with students, I hope to gather feedback on their educational experiences and identify areas for improvement to enhance the training of future social workers. Collaborating with the talented leaders at NYSSWEA, I aspire to contribute fresh ideas and innovative approaches to serve marginalized and underrepresented populations better, ensuring their needs are prioritized and their voices are amplified.
I advocate for women’s rights, immigration reform, mental health awareness, and indigenous communities. My primary focus, however, is on advancing the rights and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community. I would like to include these issues in planning for conferences and LEAD presentations in the future.
What does serving on the NYSSWEA board mean to you?
Serving on the New York State Social Work Education Association (NYSSWEA) board represents a significant milestone in my career journey that carries profound personal meaning. As a queer individual of color, I have long recognized the lack of diverse representation within the social work profession, which remains predominantly white. This dearth of representation extends to the LGBTQ+ community, where queer voices are often marginalized or absent altogether. By assuming this leadership role, I aim to be the embodiment of the representation I lacked growing up – a visible, empowered figure who can inspire other Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and queer youth to pursue their dreams without fear of being demonized or silenced.
My presence on the NYSSWEA board is a powerful statement: our voices matter, our identities are valid, and we possess the agency to advocate for ourselves and our communities. This change allows me to engage in thought-provoking dialogues with my peers, exploring the nuances of their educational experiences. By embracing diverse perspectives, we can broaden our horizons and foster a more inclusive understanding of the world.
What are you looking forward to the most about being on this board?
What I am looking forward to about being on the NYSSWEA board is the invaluable experience for professional growth and the knowledge I can gain. This lies within the diverse composition of the board, which comprises individuals with extensive experience in social work. This unique assembly of seasoned professionals presents an unparalleled opportunity to broaden my knowledge and learn from the other members.
