MSSW Alumna Paris Palmer covered two programs during her time at the College. She started in the Knoxville MSSW in 2015 and transitioned to the MSSW Online Program in 2017. She now holds the proud title of 2019 graduate.

This past December, Parker took on a new role at Dartmouth College and credits her education at UT for making it possible. “I joined Dartmouth in December 2020 as a Staff Counselor, Parker said. “My job includes short term psychotherapy for students, referring for community referrals, and outreach with a focus on BIPOC students. The UT College of Social Work prepared me for my role at Dartmouth by instilling the values of ethics and allowing me to meet clients where they are.  Additionally, I learned how to promote positive well-being through assessment, treatment, and prevention. I was able to expand my understanding of substance abuse, mental health concerns, and developmental concerns in order to better serve clients. UT has helped me pursue my vocation of helping others in a clinical space.”

Having been involved in both programs during her time at the college allowed her a greater understanding of how both programs worked and gave her the best of both worlds. “My experience was unique because at the time, I worked as a full-time state officer,” she explained. “I was worried that my transition to online would affect my ambition and ability to connect. In fact, it was the opposite.  I am grateful for the support and lessons learned in the program. As I look back on my time at UT, one of my favorite memories will always be hanging out in the student lounge with my cohort before class. I was able to learn more about my peers in those moments and how to support each other through completion of the program. My experience at UT was amazing, and I hope to take all that I have learned to my new job and share my knowledge with the students at Dartmouth.”