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Jonah Freed Wins NASW-TN MSW Student of the Year 

MSSW Student Jonah Freed was recently awarded 2022 MSW Student of the Year from the NASW, Tennessee Chapter. The award was presented via Zoom during Social Work Day on the Hill Wednesday, March 30.  

Freed is in his second year of the MSSW program, with a concentration in Evidence-Based Interpersonal Practice, and is in the Trauma Treatment Graduate Certificate Program. 

After finishing his degree, Freed hopes to do psychotherapy with a diverse range of individuals while pursuing his clinical licensure. He has been involved in work with individuals and families applying for humanitarian status in the United States, and plans to remain engaged in the movement to increase mental health access and other forms of support with immigrant and refugee communities. 

With a field placement at Cherokee Health System’s Talbott and 5th Street offices, Freed works with children, teenagers, and adults on psychotherapy. It is a fast-paced environment which has challenged him to learn and grow. His favorite part of the placement is getting to know and support people from diverse backgrounds and stages of life. The moments in sessions where people express feeling hopeful and empowered to change their lives are his most gratifying experiences.

Freed advises anyone considering majoring in Social Work at UT to reach out to the faculty to learn more and connect with students and alumni. He attributes the faculty’s openness, passion, kindness, and experience to making the program a unique environment which offers a wealth of opportunities.