November 10, 2011 marked the culmination of two years of study for 22 students who now have the distinction of being the first students to graduate from the University of Calgary’s Southern Alberta Master of Social Work (MSW) Program. . Based in Lethbridge, the program was designed to provide an opportunity for working professionals to pursue their graduate education, while maintaining 
MSW Students & The Deanemployment through all or most of their program. The graduating students are from a number of centres in Southern Alberta including Medicine Hat. Dr. Peter Gabor, the Head of the Southern Alberta Region says “we are very proud of this group, as their professional practice is wide ranging and innovative- they will do much to build capacity in the human services sector of Southern Alberta and beyond”. Dr. Jackie Sieppert, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Work stated “these very capable graduates are not only becoming part of our alumni family, but I believe they will make a positive impact in their various communities in Southern Alberta. We look forward to working with them for many years to come.”
MSW GradsHere is a brief look at just a few of the students who took part in convocation. A graduate of the U of C’s BSW program in Lethbridge, Melissa Wilde was hired directly from her practicum into a social work position at St. Michael’s Health Centre in Lethbridge. Several years later, her work in palliative care fuelled a passion that determined her focus during her MSW studies in the Southern Alberta Region. Melissa’s case study, Social Work in Palliative Care: Presence in the Midst of Suffering, was successfully defended earlier this summer. Heidi Heavy Shield is a First Nations social worker. Originally from the Blood Tribe in Southern Alberta, she currently lives and works in the Lethbridge area. Heidi is a graduate of the Lethbridge BSW program, as was her aunt. Heidi’s practice incorporates an Aboriginal approach, with a focus on healing methodologies. She is passionate about social justice issues, in particular the human rights of the oppressed. Shannon Pavan is a graduate of the U of C’s BSW program in Lethbridge. She grew up on a farm, has lived in rural Southern Alberta her entire life, and has found a way to integrate her natural interest in animals with her career. She is a behavior specialist for the Westwind School Division in Cardston and also coordinates the Westwind Equine Academy. Shannon’s case study was entitled Equine-facilitated Social Work with Youth and she 
Medicine Hat Studentsalso presented this work at the Faculty of Social Work’s Annual Research Symposium. Since she was a little girl, Lindi Shade knew she wanted a university education. Her parents were role models for her and there is little doubt she is serving in that same capacity for her three children. Her journey to her Master of Social Work is one built on determination and sustained with the assistance of a flexible program. “The new Southern Alberta MSW program gave me the ability to work from home when I needed it and the one on one time with my professors was always there when I needed their help” she says. Late this spring, Lindi defended her case study Incorporating an Aboriginal Approach and Western Theoretical Models into Practice with Aboriginal Women. One week later she gave birth to her third child.
