Distinguished Student Award

The Distinguished Student Award consists of a check for $500 to be used at the student’s discretion, a recognition certificate, and a one-year membership in the SWLHC organization.

Nominations can be accepted from students, social work faculty, or social work practicum supervisors. All nominations must be submitted with proper forms. (see “Applications” below)

Eligibility/Criteria

Nominees must be Master of Social Work students, either full time or part time, from one of the three schools of social work in St. Louis: Saint Louis University, Washington University, or the University of Missouri – St. Louis.

Tashina Jemmott, 2023 Distinguished Student Awardee

Students must have a minimum of 30 accumulated credit hours in their MSW program. (Advanced Standing credits will apply).
Students must have demonstrated promise in providing leadership to social work practice in health care settings.
Students must be enrolled in the health concentration or equivalent. If not enrolled in a health concentration (e.g. gerontology), students should have a health care focus with their coursework and practicum choices.
Students must have distinguished themselves in academics and/or practical experience in health care social work.
Students must be dedicated to practicing professional health care social work upon graduation.

Applications

The Student Award Committee of the SWLHC will distribute award applications and a cover letter to the Director of Practicum or equivalent position to each of the schools of social work during the fall term.
- Members of the SWLHC will also have access to nomination forms.
The completed application packet will consist of an application form, two professional letters of recommendation, one of which should be from a practicum instructor, copies of graduate transcripts (photocopies are acceptable), resume, and an essay, no more than 300 words, stating the student’s goals in health and social work.
Suggested sources for the second professional letter of recommendation include practicum instructor, faculty, and/or employer if employed in the social work field.
A selection committee consisting of the SWLHC Student Award Committee Chair and two representatives from the SWLHC membership at large will convene to review applications.
Applications must be postmarked by January 31.

Selection

The selection committee will review applications in February. Three to four applicants will be chosen for an interview. All applicants not chosen will be notified by mail.
Interviews will be held. The selection committee will select one recipient who will be notified by phone and is highly encouraged to attend the awards presentation at the March general meeting.
Interviewed nominees not chosen will be notified by mail and will receive a 1 year free membership to the Society.
The selected candidate will be approved by the Board prior to the March general meeting.
The Director of Practicum (or equivalent) will be notified of the award winner.

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