School of Social Work Awarded Social Justice Warrior Award by Arkansas Support Network

Chase Sloan; Janet Morgan

Professor Ananda Rosa, director of the Field Education Program, holds the Social Justice Warrior Award.

The School of Social Work was awarded the Champions for Social Justice Warrior Award by the Arkansas Support Network during the 26th annual Arkansas Support Network Honors Luncheon on July 17. The School of Social Work's Field Education Program places student interns throughout the community to aid vulnerable populations and to make a positive social impact for all. Through this award, this work was recognized as a major contribution to positive change in the Northwest Arkansas community. Professor Ananda Rosa, director of the Field Education Program, was honored to accept this award on behalf of the school.

This and other "Champions" Awards recognize and honor advocates who have made outstanding efforts to increase an awareness of the rights for all citizens, to create a more inclusive community, and to speak for and represent those who cannot represent themselves. In being devoted to the work of social justice, these champions positively impact individuals with disabilities and their families in the most meaningful ways.

The Arkansas Support Network provides support and services to individuals and families with children with disabilities since 1988. They are providers of licensed disability services for all of Arkansas and have offices in Springdale, Fort Smith, Camden, and Jonesboro. The program serves people through all phases of life beginning from birth to adulthood.

The School of Social Work is the oldest social work program in the state of Arkansas and has been educating undergraduate social workers since 1940. The master's program at the University of Arkansas is in the top 50% of all Master of Social Work programs nationwide and educate leader practitioners who practice across the state and the nation.

The Mission of the School of Social Work is to improve the lives of vulnerable persons, families, groups, organizations, and communities. We are committed to fostering a culturally diverse environment that strives to be free of all forms of oppression and promotes justice and equality for all. This mission is achieved through the use of evidence-based practices to educate social work leader-practitioners, emphasis on critical thinking and self-awareness, facilitation of collaborative relationships in the community, and conducting original research.