We encourage social work faculty to incorporate the Social Work Leaders Assignment into leadership and policy curriculum. This simple yet powerful assignment prompts students to visit the Social Work Hall of Distinction and speak or write briefly about an inductee in a field or community of particular interest to them. While presenting at our 2017 Hall of Distinction induction, Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil prefaced his remarks with observations about the California Social Welfare Archives (CSWA), its Hall of Distinction, and using the Social Work Leaders Assignment every year at UCLA. Please view this 1-minute perspective and consider where this type of student experience might fit into your plans.

Please click here to view and download a sample assignment and more information.

Instructors at social work programs in both northern and southern California have found the assignment to be a great success; students identify, and are inspired by, role models who reflect their own values, backgrounds and goals, and witness the impact one person can have on policy, practice and advocacy. From distributing bookmarks created with their hero’s quotes to creating videos like the one viewed here, students have been enthusiastic to share and hear the results of the assignment.

Please share this idea and link with your colleagues.

It is our goal to track where the assignment has been adopted and incorporate your feedback; your plans and reactions will be gratefully received.

Please “sign our guest book” – just enter a few words about what organization you are with and feedback on the assignment and/or your plans to use it.

Email us at cswa@usc.edu with any input or questions.