Student Spotlight – Savannah Ezell
Congratulations to Savannah Ezell for being selected as our Outstanding BASW Student!
Name: Savannah Ezell
Major: Social Work with a minor in Sociology
Expected Graduation Year: May 2022
Organization: Delta Gamma
What made you decide to enroll in the School of Social Work at SDSU?
I began at SDSU with the goal of obtaining a bachelors in sociology – ready to fuel my passion for social advocacy and explore social and institutional relationships at every level. As I immersed myself into my studies, I couldn’t ignore the extent of my affinity for working with children and families. In the Fall of 2019, I added a Social Work minor to my studies, and I quickly was in awe of the faculties’ passion for social welfare. I built invaluable relationships with professors and peers that allowed me to realize how my family’s story, the hardships we faced and overcame, is an integral part of who I am today, and it is my driving force to support and advocate for families within the child welfare system. In the Spring of 2020 Social Work became my primary major and I have delved into all the opportunities the school has had to offer. Looking back when I was exploring my career options, I feel that helped me make the change in majors. I just knew that with Social Work, I would have an impact on the day to day lives of others and that gave me the confidence to do it. It was me finally doing what I wanted to do.
What has been your most memorable experience in the school?
My most memorable experience with the School of Social Work was being hired as an Instructional Student Assistant for a social research methods course. This opportunity was presented by Professor Nguyen and Professor Cosio, and it truly became one of the highlights of my undergraduate journey. It allowed me to act on increasing student access to educational support in a hands-on way and furthered my position to build relationships with my peers. Over the few months I assisted, I got to see students flourish and take pride in their educational attainments. Nothing could be more memorable than students hopping on Zoom with huge smiles to tell me they passed the test they had so many doubts about.
What are your plans after graduation?
Post-graduation I will be pursuing my master’s in social work at SDSU. I was really excited to get accepted into the program! I have been a part of the BASW Title IV-E Program this past year and it has amplified my passion for working within the child welfare system. I will continue to be part of the Title IV-E program and feel it will be an invaluable opportunity for me to continue my journey in supporting and empowering children and families in need. I look forward to working with San Diego County Child Welfare after obtaining my MSW and have big picture plans to obtain my licensure (LCSW) that will eventually allow me to pursue my passion in a clinical setting.
What are some of your favorite aspects of the program?
My favorite aspect of the program has been getting to know and creating a bond with my cohort. The School of Social Work, and its inspiring professors, have created so many spaces for us to grow and develop together. Over the last few months, my knowledge of the world, and of myself, has expanded more than I ever could have imagined, and I owe so much of that experience to my peers in my field education class, especially the Title IV-E cohort. They inspire me with their passion, and I am beyond excited to see the impacts they will make upon the field during their careers. Additionally, I have appreciated the support I have received from so many of the faculty members. I have had so many professors, notably Professor Bradway and Professor Nguyen, who have expressed genuine care about my future and have greatly impacted my perspective as a social work student. The directors of the Title IV-E program have invested so much time in student success and it reflects in their efforts to help us succeed.
Describe why you would recommend SDSU to potential students.
I would recommend SDSU to potential students because the school has so much to offer. Through my first three years of school, I worked as a desk administrator in the freshman dorm halls, where I first began making SDSU a home and I eventually began supporting younger students. To further my dedication to women’s empowerment, I served as president for a Panhellenic organization, and it provided a point of support for me throughout the pandemic. My involvement on campus has not only been the foundation of my leadership and communication skills, but a vital aspect of my educational experience as I have gained more than just classroom knowledge; I have gained lifelong relationships and skills that will allow me to succeed in future endeavors.
Is there anything that you are particularly excited for in your master’s program?
Many of my peers are also going to be part of the program, which is really exciting, and I think it speaks to how good the program is that many of us want to stay. So, I am excited to continue to grow with them.
How did you persevere the pandemic as a student?
The pandemic was beyond interesting, and it happened shortly after I had taken on Social Work as my major. The professors put so much effort to adapt into the new space that we had and to keep the classes true to the environment. We should have had it in person because social work is not one of those things that you just memorize and regurgitate it on a test, you really have to be learning to interact with people and over zoom that was extremely difficult, but seeing how much they cared made the process a lot easier. In addition, I am really lucky that my internship this year for my senior year field placement got to be in person, which was very important to me. The best way to describe it was just day-to-day adapting because everything was just so back and forth in the past 2 years, we never had much stability but I think it makes me and those in my class more proud to graduate.
