Jerri Ann Levenson

UConn School of Social Work Class of 2014

I was raised primarily in the Puget Sound area. I earned a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary arts with a focus in psychology and sociology, and a minor in business administration from Washington State University.  I worked for a year in a substance abuse treatment facility and then did three years of case management with individuals diagnosed with mental illness and living in poverty. During this time I assisted clients with medical issues ranging from diabetes management to coping with terminal cancer. I have also done volunteer work as a rape crisis counselor and a guardian ad litem. I became involved in UST because I felt it would be a great way to supplement my social work education while getting opportunities to practice skills. Working with underserved populations has always been important to me and a key reason I went into social work. The service opportunities allow me to give back, practice my skills and network with other students.  The retreats give me opportunities to build my skills in collaborating with individuals in other disciplines. My work prior to UST showed me the damage that can be done to the mental and physical heath of a patient when his/her medical providers don’t communicate openly and work together. I want to make sure that this stops being an issue for people who have enough to deal with already. It is only through skill building, collaboration and an open flow of communication that this will be accomplished.