Social Work at Goshen College

11/13/2025

The International Survivors of Su***de Loss Day is coming up. Please see the QR code for registration.

04/10/2025

Many of you know or will remember Bob Birkey, Director and Professor Emeritus of Social Work. He was a GC faculty member from 1978 - 2012! Bob's family has requested that we share his CaringBridge site with Goshen College-connected folks. Bob experienced an unexpected and acute health crisis one week ago that resulted in hospitalization in intensive care. Over the past week the family has learned that there are no viable treatment options and have started to work with the palliative care team.

Bob's CaringBridge site is "Robert Birkey". His family welcomes song recommendations and any other sharing about Bob. If Bob were writing this, I'm sure he'd have some wise words as well as a good quip to end with. All I can say is that each day is a gift as is each and every friendship.

Jeanne Liechty, Social Work Department Chair

02/12/2025

Say hello to Madeleine! She is a senior social work major who is working her final 400 hour internship with Marti Conrad at the Healthy Babies Prenatal Care Program. Proud of your hard work Madeleine, and many thanks to Marti and the Elkhart County Health Department for supervising her work!

02/12/2025

This week's featured Social Work senior is Madeleine! She is more than halfway through her 400 hour internship, serving with the Healthy Babies Prenatal Care Coordination Program, a part of the Elkhart County Health Department. She is supervised in this work by Marti Conrad. Keep up the great work Madeleine, and many thanks to the Healthy Beginnings Program and the Elkhart County Health Department for hosting a GC social work student!

12/01/2024

Say hello to Briana Gerig! Briana is a senior BSW social work major working at her final internship at Oaklawn in Elkhart. Each Baccalaureate Social Work student will complete 400 hours of supervised internship during their senior year at a local agency. Briana is supervised by Oaklawn employee Cristina Reyes. Congratulations on your work so far, Briana!

10/29/2024

Lydia Esh is our next highlighted senior social work major. Lydia is working her 400 hour internship with Erich Miller at Cora Dale House here in Goshen. Thanks so much to Cora Dale house for their continued support of the GC Social Work Program, and congrats to Lydia on her senior work so far!

10/01/2024

Say hello to Karmen Campos! Karmen is our first featured senior social work major this fall. Karmen is completing her final internship at The Boys and Girls Clubs of Elkhart County (Goshen club) under the supervision of Natasha Lantz. If you see Karmen, say hello, and congratulate her on her fine work so far!

04/04/2024

Time is running out to register for the Immigrant Mental Health Summit! Note that even if you cannot attend in person, there is a virtual option. We hope to *see* you there!

Immigrant Mental Health Summit 2024 Spring Conferencia sobre Migración y Salud Mental – Primavera, 2024 Register Now! Celebrating research, practice, and community resources reaching the immigrant population Compartiendo resultados de investigación, iniciativas exitosas y recursos disponibles pa...

10/19/2023

Next up, social work senior Sophia Smucker is working her final internship at Ryan's Place in Goshen. Along with social worker Chris Seminario, Sophia will complete her final requirements with the youth and families of Ryan's Place. Congratulations Sophia, on your placement, and your continued good work with Ryan's Place!

10/10/2023

Have you checked out these reading lists?

10/05/2023

Are you ready to meet the social work seniors of 2023-24?? As a part of their final year at GC, each social work senior completes a 400 hour internship at a local social service agency under the direction of a qualified social worker. This internship is designed to expose each student to, and prepare them for work as a beginning professional social worker. Typically, this internship stretches over the course of two semesters, with regular check ins with other students, and with their faculty advisor. Congratulations to all of our social work seniors! Over the next several months, we will briefly introduce each one to you!

First up, shout out to Jennifer, who is working at her final internship with the Healthy Babies Prenatal Care Coordination Program in Elkhart. Jennifer works under the direction of Marti Conrad. Congratulations Jennifer, and we look forward to seeing you end your time at GC strong!