Final Semester Soon To Arrive

HEEYYYY!!! Hope you have had as great a Christmas season as I. I am super excited with the approaching New Year and my FINAL semester of grad school. The journey has been a great, rich learning experience, but I am ready to graduate with my TWO degrees and conquer the world!! As I will soon be closing this chapter of life, feel free to hit me up via email at csd1010@email.unc.edu with any questions that you may have about the MSW program at the greatest school in the nation ("UNC-Chapel Hill").

Be on the lookout for my final postings in 2010.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

S.A.G.E.

Here's a shout-out to all the faculty who have engaged in the Fall 2009 Students Achieving Graduate Education (S.A.G.E) activities. THANKS for all that you do!!

During the three years that I have been at UNC, it has been a pleasure to be involved in S.A.G.E. S.A.G.E. exist thanks to the brilliance of two School of Social Work faculty ( Dr. Vanessa Hodges and Dr. Iris Carlton-LaNey). For curious minds who want to know, S.A.G.E is a program or perhaps you would say a series of planned activities focused on students of color at UNC's School of Social Work. S.A.G.E. exist as a forum for students of color to address the challenges of being a minority at a majority insitution. For me, S.A.G.E. has offered a bonding experience with colleagues and faculty. It has strengthened my committment to social justice and welfare and indirectly provided me with my 2009-2010 Research Assistantship.

Some of S.A.G.E.'s yearly activities include: pre-orientation, potlucks, discussion forums, community outings, etc.

Stay tuned for future S.A.G.E. happenings at UNC's School of Social Work....

Last Year Underway!

What can I say? Time is certainly passing by. Can't believe that two full years ago I began this journey and MY how I've grown. My last year of graduate school is officially underway. In May of 2010 I will proudly announce that I am a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill with a Master of Social Work and a Master of Public Administration. The journey has not been easy but, with faculty support, good peers, a good educational infrastructure (Go HEELS!), and a life purpose I have endured. As I end this process to begin something great, I will attempt to post on a more frequent basis. It will be important for many of you to see how the final year of a dual degree graduate student unfolds.

For starters, last weekend was a blast here at UNC. I attended the UNC vs. ECU (my alma mater) football game and it was wonderful. Of course I was cheering for the Pirates, but what can I say, UNC came hard! This weekend I'll be attending my first ever graduate weekend course. Will update you soon! Until next time, be easy, but work hard.....

Professional Work Experience

The summer is almost over and classes will be resuming soon. As a dual degree student, my summer has been spent completing a professional work experience (internship) with the Director of Guildford County Department of Social Services. This experience has been extremely rewarding and educational on multiple levels. It's not often that you get the opportunity to work directly with a public administrator who oversees 600+ employees. Additionally, I have begun the process of formulating my research topic for my final year Capstone Paper (a MPA requirement; similar to that of a thesis). My plan is to address "How are N.C. counties reducing the number of children in foster care". If anyone has any ideas thoughts or feedback you'd like to put out there about foster care, feel free to hit me up. Until next time, be easy and strive to create the change that you desire to see in the world.....that's definitely my plan!

Spring Break is Almost Here!

With less than a week away from Spring Break, I'm beginning to sense relief from fellow classmates who will be graduating in May. Unfortunately, as a dual degree candidate I am not afforded that luxury at this time. Nevertheless, I will look forward to Spring Break, as well as upcoming events such as "Social Work" Lobby Day, the N.C. Child Welfare Education Collaborative Conference, Social Work and Law Day, and my plans to present at the 2009 National Association of Black Social Worker's Conference. In times such as these, I have to remind myself that now is not the time to get restless, instead I must move forward with my dreams knowing that the dreams of others will be brighten as a result of such.

To see how my dream as a dual degree candidate has and is coming to past check out http://www.sog.unc.edu/uncmpa/students/ChanittaDeloatch.html

Opportunity Galore

One thing is for sure; as a MSW graduate student at UNC-Chapel Hill, you can never say/ask "where are the opportunities"? As the week has progressed, I am amazed at the number of scholarships, training programs (free of charge), workshops, and lecture sessions that are available to enhance oneself. Furthermore, I am delighted to know that the School of Social Work has taken an active role in engaging students on the concept of being a leader within the profession. On yesterday, I attended a discussion/presentation at the school given by DSS Director, Joe Rayomnd. Joe discussed the essentials of leadership and performance management (knowing what we want to achieve within an organization (outcomes) and striving to make that happen). As a dual degree student with the School of Government (MPA) a lot of things mentioned during Joe's presentation resonated well with me. Future practitioners within social work must come to truly understand that helping organizations and the services that we seek to provide are only going to be as good as the leadership within them. Personally, it is my belief that an organization with a great mission and a leader with no vision is doomed. With that being said, know that the MSW program at UNC is a wonderful place to be "if" you really aspire to be a world changer on all levels!

Cold Outside, But Warm Inside

A new semester has begun and after less than 2 weeks of class the ground in Chapel Hill, N.C. has turned completely white. Yeesssss!.....It snowed yesterday; a rare happening in the central part of the Tarheel State. In sum, I must say it is extremely cold outside, but warm inside. Warm not only inside the walls of the School of Social Work at UNC, but warm within my heart and soul. As I embark upon a new semester I realize that I am much closer to acquiring a MSW than I was two months ago. I feel warm inside because last semester was extremely strenuous as a dual degree candidate, but I somehow made it to Spring 09. I am warm inside because I will have the opportunity this summer to engage in a 10-week internship that will be life altering for me, as well as children and families that I encounter later in life. I am warm inside because of the historic moment that our nation and nations around the world were able to witness on yesterday, 1/20/09. It is my pleasure to let the world know that although it is cold outside, I am warm inside and optimistic about life as a graduate student at UNC. Go HEELS!!