The INSIDER - VOLUME 18 SPRING/SUMMER 2022

The Texas College Social Work program, within the Division of Business and Social Sciences, has made strides in meeting accreditation requirements for the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE), which the is the national association representing social work education in the United States. In June, Texas College SOCIAL WORK MOVES TOWARD PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

received approval and acceptance of Benchmark I in the three - part accreditation process. Texas College has progressed to Benchmark II, which will be followed by a visit from the CSWE Commissioner this fall. Providing leadership for this effort are two new faculty members, Charlotte Sanders and LaKeshia Harris. Sanders, who serves as the Program Director and Assistant Professor, brings 30 years of real - world social work experience to the program. Most recently serving at Rusk State Hospital in Rusk, Texas, Sanders has also served in a multitude of capacities within the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. In addition to her service within the field of social work, Sanders also carries over a decade of teaching experience, serving as a professor at both Stephen F. Austin State University and Jarvis Christian College, now Jarvis Christian University. Harris, who serves as the Field Director and Assistant Professor, additionally brings over a decade of real - world experience to the Social Work program. Most recently, Harris served as the Director of Alinea Family Hospice in Longview, Texas. Moreover, Harris also carries over a decade of teaching experience, serving as a field instructor at Stephen F. Austin State University. In addition to the aforementioned, Harris also has extensive scholarship experience with multiple conference presentations and the facilitation of other educational trainings. The Council of Social Work Education has over 750 accredited baccalaureate and master’s degree social work programs, as well as individual social work educators, practitioners, and agencies which are dedicated to advancing quality social work education in this country. Through its many initiatives, activities, and centers, CSWE is currently supporting Texas College in attaining accreditation to continue the College’s quality social work education. Furthermore, the CSWE agency has provided opportunities for leadership and professional development, whereby our faculty members serve a central role in achieving the profession’s goals of social and economic justice. CSWE’s Commission on Accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation as the sole accrediting agency for social work education in the United States and its territories.

CHARLOTTE SANDERS SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM DIRECTOR & ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

LAKESHIA HARRIS SOCIAL WORK FIELD DIRECTOR & ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

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