By Madison Baker
Junior Social Work major Maggie Ream is on the National Association of Social Workers Board of Directors in Ohio. Photo by Madison Baker
Junior social work major Maggie Ream is helping put Bluffton’s 77-year-old program on the map in Ohio. Ream, who is president of the university’s Social Work Club, is serving on the National Association of Social Workers Board of Directors in Ohio.
Heidi Mercer is the assistant professor of social work and director of field education at Bluffton University.
“Our president of the social work club, Maggie Ream is going to be putting Bluffton University on the map due to her involvement on NASW Board of Directors,” Mercer said.
Mercer said she has watched Ream excel in and out of the classroom. It was in a class that Mercer teaches to freshman when she knew Ream was “one to watch.”
“She helps to drive hard conversations, she wants to also consider the different aspects, and cares deeply for others,” Mercer said. “The NASW opportunity is a step up for her, but it is not out of her reach.”
Ream’s journey to Bluffton was heavily influenced by the impression made by social work professor Walt Paquin. She already had family connections here at Bluffton University, but it was the passion Bluffton University’s social work program professors displayed that really drew Ream in.
With Ream taking over as this year’s Social Work Club president, she said her main goal is to be a voice for the voiceless. She plans to incorporate her leadership in Ohio’s Chapter of National Association of Social Workers. NASW is the only organization with the sole purpose to advocate for the profession of social work. Ream resonates with the NASW mission statement of “Building Strength Through Association.”
Ream said she believes she is the first student to become a member of the Ohio chapter of NASW.
“I feel obligated to ensure students that their voices will be heard, and I will try to advocate for them,” said Ream.
As a member of Ohio’s chapter of NASW, Ream said her duties include putting out surveys based on social issues that are occurring within society. She said she is the connecting ear between the students and the qualified social workers who advocate within the justice system.
Her one-year commitment to this board will give her access to an abundance of job opportunities posted by NASW.
Ream emphasizes how important it is for students’ voices to be heard and for things to be done about it.
“I hope that I can encourage others by achieving this accomplishment to rise up and step out of their comfort zones just like I did. I didn’t know what I was getting into at first, but I am ready for what this opportunity entails,” said Ream.
