The Indiana University School of Social Work is excited to announce that three students from its program have been recognized as Top 100 students at IUPUI. The Top 100 award recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate excellence in three categories: academic excellence, campus leadership, and community engagement. This prestigious academic award is given to juniors or seniors who are in good standing with the university and are seeking their first bachelor’s degree from the IUPUI campus. It is required that these students have a minimum GPA of at least a 3.2 and have completed 56 credit hours applicable to his or her degree program. IU School of Social Work students, Jordyn Kwitschau, Michele Mubarak, and Kaitlyn Powell were recognized with this prestigious award. We asked these three students about their experience being a part of the IU School of Social Work, as well as what this award means to them.

Jordyn Kwitschau

Q: Why did you choose to attend IU School of Social Work?
A: As someone who grew up with a bout of mental health issues, developing social anxiety and depression during my high school years made me feel invisible and hopeless. Having a social worker by my side to help been able to partake in. Having that support helped me become a spokesperson at my high school for student’s mental health and allowed me to continue my journey of healing. My experiences with support systems for students who are struggling have unquestionably made me open my eyes to the feelings and well-being of others that may not be on the surface. From then on, I vowed to help others in any way I could see fit. I dove deeper into my volunteer work and became a student mentor to others struggling with social anxiety and also took on the role as a ‘buddy’ for the special abilities classroom at my high school. Without a doubt, I know that I will carry these experiences with me for as long as I live. They taught me patience, true compassion, and what it means to love unconditionally. Through my continuing work with special ability kids, firsthand experiences with my friends, and heartbreaking stories I constantly hear all around me, I have developed a deep passion to help bring a voice to those that feel they do not, and these experiences led me to choose social work as my major area of study. The IU School of Social Work has felt like a home for me since day one and I hope to represent the program in a positive light for years to come.

Q: What has been one of your most memorable projects in Social Work?
A: As I am wrapping up the last semester of my undergraduate education, thinking back on all the amazing things I have been able to accomplish thanks to the School of Social Work has made me immensely proud. One of my favorite projects has been reaching out to members of the legislative branch of the Indiana General Assembly to advocate for a bill to require trained professionals to accompany victims of rape and sexual harassment throughout the judicial process. Being able to advocate for something so important to those who have survived a horrific time was an incredible experience. Talking with representatives and senators throughout the state to educate them on the importance of this bill with the knowledge and skills I have received from the school helped me apply my learning to the real world. I will forever hold this experience close to my heart as I continue to advocate for change.

Q: What advice would you have for students thinking about Social Work?
A: If you feel social work calling your name, run with it. Changing my major to Social Work is one decision I will never regret and will always be thankful for. As a scared freshman, I had no clue where I belonged in this crazy fast-paced world but stumbling across the School of Social Work helped me find my purpose in not only the university but life. I have created so many lasting friendships, grown exponentially as a person, and experienced the amazing power of social work education. If you want to broaden your horizons and challenge yourself in the most astonishing way, the School of Social Work is for you!

Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
A: Currently, I am faced with an incredible decision of where I would like to continue my education in Social Work. I am so grateful to have an option between two amazing Master of Social Work programs, but it will be a heart-wrenching decision. After completing my education, I hope to take the skills and knowledge I have learned and work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in a Children’s Hospital. I love working with children as it is something that I have always been extremely passionate about and working with Jagathon and my sorority, Phi Mu, has helped me continue this passion. These amazing organizations hold a deep and sentimental place in my heart as I also hope to be employed by a children’s hospital as I owe a debt of gratitude to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals system.

Q: What does it mean to you to be recognized as a Top 100 student at IUPUI?
A: Truly I still cannot believe that I am being recognized as a Top 100 student. When I started my collegiate journey, I had so many hopes and dreams for what my 4 years of undergraduate education would look like, but I do not think I would have even imagined where I have ended up. Through countless service hours, leadership positions, organizations, courses, and all of the amazing people I have met in my time at IUPUI, I could not be more grateful to have received this honor. I know without a doubt this will forever be one of my greatest memories and something I will cherish about my collegiate years. I want to thank everyone that has had a hand in not only my education and extracurriculars, but those who helped me grow immensely as a person, an advocate, and a social worker.

Michele Mubarak

Q: Why did you choose to attend IU School of Social Work?
A: I chose to attend the IU School of Social Work because I discovered that I have a true vision and passion for advocacy. I recognized that there were many barriers to support for women of color experiencing violent crime, and I wanted to be a part of a world that promoted safety and security for all women.

Q: What has been one of your most memorable projects in Social Work?
A: My most memorable projects in social work have been during my practicum at the Beacon of Hope Crisis Center. The BOHCC is a domestic violence/sexual assault agency in Indianapolis, and I have had the opportunity of working with them through the social work program. Not only have I learned more about domestic violence and sexual assault, but I have had the privilege of being a part of a survivor’s path to success and self-sufficiency. I have gained skills that I will carry with me throughout my professional and personal life, such as empathy, compassion, and humility in recognizing that I will always have something to learn from my clients as well.

Q: What advice would you have for students thinking about Social Work?
A: My advice to students thinking about Social Work is to find the thing that fires you up! Find the injustice around you that leaves your conscious unsatisfied with passiveness and chase it to find solutions. Recognize that you are always a learner first and that clients are experts in their lives.

Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
A: My plan after graduation is to pursue an MSW at IUPUI with a concentration in Community Organization and Development.

Q: What does it mean to you to be recognized as a Top 100 student at IUPUI?
A: Being a Top 100 student at IUPUI means that my work goes beyond the walls of this university and that my influence can be stretched further with hard work, determination, and passion.

Kaitlyn Powell

Q: Why did you choose to attend IU School of Social Work?
A: I chose the IU School of Social Work because it is an excellent school and presented amazing opportunities. Not only did it not require me to go too far from home before I was ready, but it also gifted me with amazing educational and professional opportunities in the world of Social Work. The IU School of Social Work has wonderfully prepared me to attend graduate school and enter the professional realm.

Q: What has been one of your most memorable projects in Social Work?
A: My most memorable project in Social Work has to be my senior year practicum. It has been the most exciting and educational experience of my life. I have been completing my practicum at Catholic Charities of Indianapolis with their Refugee and Immigrant Services program. This agency has been the most wonderful introduction into the social work profession and has only further excited me for my future career. I have learned an exceptional amount about the social work role and have been blessed with amazing coworkers, peers and supervisors.

Q: What advice would you have for students thinking about Social Work?
A: The best advice I can give an individual considering Social Work is to take IUPUI’s course: Understanding Diversity in a Pluralistic Society or SWK-S102. I enrolled in this course my first semester at IUPUI and had the privilege of learning from Jewel Mosley, MSW, LSW. She has served as a positive and consistent mentor in my time at IUPUI. Taking SWK-S102 with Jewel gave me the confidence to know I had chosen the right major and future. Not only is she an exceptional educator and advisor, but the course is extremely beneficial to anyone who takes it, whether they pursue Social Work or not.

Q: What are your plans for after graduation?
A: After I graduate this spring, I plan to attend the Boston College School of Social Work as an MSW student. I will be enrolling in the accelerated macro practice program with a specialization in Global Practice. This program begins in January 2022. In the meantime, I plan to stay in Indianapolis and work.

Q: What does it mean to you to be recognized as a Top 100 student at IUPUI?
A: Being recognized as a Top 100 student at IUPUI has been a humbling and gratifying experience. To know that I was chosen from hundreds of students at IUPUI as one of the Top 100 feels amazing because it is proof that my hard work and dedication have been recognized. I am so proud of myself and what I have been able to achieve.