Rose Montgomery, Karon Hicks, Zoe Jamison, and Mia Ocean met with me to discuss their participatory action research project they conducted within their social work program at West Chester University.
Our historically White university sought to better serve its surrounding communities and increase Black student enrollment by adding an urban satellite campus to complement its suburban main campus. However, multi-site universities face additional complexities and require thoughtful planning to provide support and access for students. Therefore, we formed a team of faculty, students, and alumni to engage in a participatory action research assistantship program and conduct a cross-campus comparison of Black graduate social work students’ experiences. Subsequently, we shared our findings with university stakeholders to enact racially equitable change at our institution.
Bios
Rose Montgomery, Alumni at West Chester University (WCU). Rose Graduated from the MSW program and received her license shortly after. Rose is a Family Based Therapist who enjoys facilitating sessions with families and takes great joy in witnessing positive family interaction cycles develop. Rose is passionate about change, change within people, families, and institutions. Rose’s most notable moments are; Graduate Assistantship position to Mia Ocean, lead researcher on the Black MSW experience research study at West Chester University; developing training on how to use critical race theory to examine the ways in which racism is embedded in Social work policy and practice; facilitated dialogues at Millersville University’s Annual Global Well-Being and Social Change Conference at WCU’s Field Instructors Appreciation Breakfast in 2019; Lastly, Rose received the David Seigel Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Policy in 2020, took some time off to attend to family matters, but has returned to the join the team in continuing to make a difference.
Karon Hicks graduated from West Chester University’s Master of Social Work program in May of 2019. She is a licensed social worker and is currently working towards her clinical license. Karon lives in Philadelphia and works for the School District of Philadelphia as a school behavior consultant. She is interested in getting her doctorate in social work in the upcoming future. Karon has one article published with her former professor Mia and is hoping to help publish a second article surrounding the info being talked about tonight.
Zoe Jamison is a Grant Manager within The School District of Philadelphia, supporting non-public schools to gain access to vital funding for academic success. In addition to grant work, Zoe also works as a diversity consultant on qualitative participatory action research projects. Previously, Zoe worked as a Program Director for Drexel University, coordinating afterschool and summer programming for middle school students across the city. Zoe graduated with honors from West Chester University with a Master's in Social Work.
Mia Ocean is an Assistant Professor of Graduate Social Work at West Chester University of Pennsylvania. She specializes in anti-oppressive and participatory methods, and her research focuses on access and equity in higher education.
