NAU is celebrating the 10th anniversary and success of its Tuba City Social Work Cohort program and is seeking students for a new cohort to begin in January.
The university’s Tuba City Social Work Cohort program offers coursework in Tuba City so students can finish their bachelor’s in social work while living and working in their communities.
Students earn college credits and complete their field placement requirement within multiple social welfare systems such as Tribal Social Services, Navajo Behavioral Health Services and Tuba City Indian Medical Center.
“I was able to stay in my community while pursuing my degree. This helped me a great deal with child-care issues and helped me keep my studies on track,” said Melinda Hoyungowa, who now works as a senior caseworker for Coconino County. “I also got social work experience in many different areas and age groups.”
Two cohorts of students have graduated from the program. The first cohort of graduates will celebrate successful social work careers during a 10th anniversary graduation celebration Dec. 6 at the du Bois Center.
“The portability of the program is impressive,” said Anne Medill, an NAU associate professor of sociology and social work. “It helps many students overcome obstacles such as travel time to classes and being near family commitments.”
The Social Work Program is geared toward Native students and is supported by the university’s Distance Learning program, its Institute for Native Americans, Diné Community College and the Ottens Foundation.
Full-time students with 45 hours of undergraduate classes completed are eligible and can apply by contacting Anne Blair, a lecturer in sociology and social work, by Dec. 5 at Anne.Blair@nau.edu or (928) 523-2979.