Social Work Student Spotlight – Emily Henry

Andrea Byerly
Tuesday, March 12, 2024 12:00 AM
All, Academics, Press Releases

CLEVELAND, TN - Meigs County native, Emily Henry, is a full-time student majoring in social work. She will graduate in May and transfer to Tennessee Wesleyan University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work. Her goal is to work for a non-profit organization or a local school system.

Henry was very young when her parents divorced so she wants to help other children in the same situation. “I love children and advocating for people who are in need,” said Henry.

A Tennessee Promise student and a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Henry took her first year of classes at the McMinn Higher Education Center (MHEC) in Athens and online. The convenience of MHEC allowed her to continue working at Starr Regional Medical Center while completing her degree.

Her final year of social work classes have been on the main campus in Cleveland. The social work practicum class includes 50 hours of volunteer field experience. Henry is helping in the community at Coordinated Charities in Athens; she will also gain experience shadowing a social worker with the Meigs County Board of Education.

“I didn’t know where I wanted to go for college even during high school,” said Henry. “I decided to go to community college, and Cleveland State feels like home. The transition from high school to college can be hard, but the Athens campus was super close to my house. Everyone is welcoming and nice, and all my professors have been wonderful. Ms. Pankey has been the best in the social work program. She helps every single one of us with our field placements, and she gives us stories from her job experience.”

“Emily is a delightful student, and I always enjoy having her in my classes,” said Jana Pankey, Associate Professor of Social Work. “She is insightful and caring and will be a great future social worker. I am so proud of Emily for choosing our Cleveland State social work program to be a part of her academic journey.”

For more information about the social work program at Cleveland State, contact Jana Pankey at jpankey@clevelandstatecc.edu or (423) 473-2438.