Christina Sessums -- a former student comes back to TCU

Fort Worth, TX

10/15/2008

Q: What do you like about the social work program?
A: I love the TCU social work program. I left 13 years ago when I was a senior to take care of my daughter. I came back this year to complete my BSW. I could have gone to a state school for free but TCU offers an intensive educational experience that a state school can’t begin to compete with.


Q: What made you select the program (versus other schools)?
A: The small class size, the personal relationship between professors and students, excellent hands on curriculum and the 100% employment rate upon degree completion. The opportunity for research in the BSW program at TCU far exceeds any other BSW I am aware of. Most other programs do not offer any research opportunities until the MSW program level.


Q: What do you like about TCU? What makes TCU special and why did you select TCU?
A: TCU offers a safe community and family environment to learn in. I enjoy being a part of the community, which embraces differences and promotes Christian principles.


Q: What makes TCU's social work program special in your opinion?
A: The TCU social work program provides quality hands on learning experiences at every level. The curriculum does not concentrate on rote memory skills but rather engages the students in personal and professional value and skill development. By the time a student participates in their senior practicum experience they have “real skills” and are an asset to an agency, not just a by stander taking up resources. The personal relationships that students develop with the social work faculty promote constant increases in self-confidence and skill building throughout the program. These relationships also allow students to learn how to utilize a mentor relationship before graduation, thus ensuring the likelihood of a successful long-term career in social work.

Q: Where do you see the future of the industry going?
A: The social work field will always need talented people to help a vulnerable population navigate complex systems and services.


Q: What is your favorite memory so far of TCU?
A: My favorite memory of TCU is when I called Dr. Jenkins this past summer and he asked to come back to the social work program. He not only remembered my name, he remembered details about me. It was 13 years ago when I left, I was shocked. When I emailed Dr. Moore and told her I was coming back she was so encouraging and couldn’t wait to hear all the things I had done since I been gone. It was like coming home. It was wonderful feeling to know that I had made an impact on them as professors because they had certainly made an impact on me as a person. I have had many dreams over the past 13 years of being able to graduate with my BSW from TCU and in 2010, I will make it happen.

I am coming back to school as a student with a disability. I was nervous about the learning transition but like everything I else just took the ”bull by the horns” and the social work faculty have been there every step of the way to help me. I am so glad that I came home.