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Growing up in Winooski, Vermont, Evelyn Monje dreamed of attending ����̽̽ as she went by campus on the way to school every day. Working as a youth camp counselor during the summer after her first year of high school, she began to discover what her true calling might be. 

"Ultimately, I chose social work because of my passion for helping people," says the senior who earned a Presidential Scholarship to attend ����̽̽.

“Now I’m leaning into a field that's all about caring for others in the best way possible. I have loved all my roles working in summer camps, facilitation training, and after-school programs. That joy led me to where I am now, and I cannot wait to continue digging into this profession.”

For her senior year internship, Monje is piloting a social work position at the South Burlington Public Library. Though she hadn't previously considered a less traditional social work role like this, she was excited to see where it could lead.

“I offer low-barrier consultation and referrals to our patrons as well as supporting the library staff in trainings and de-escalation,” she explains, “and I’m sharing what I learn with other libraries who are now seeking their own social workers.”

Since stepping into the role in September, Monje met with over 300 people, including many with social work focused questions. 

“The interest has been wide-ranging,” says Monje, who built a resource guide to keep at her mobile table. “People are looking for support with referrals to housing options, legal issues related to employment, citizenship questions, healthcare, dental services, and more. Some are seeking community engagement and connection to local services. These conversations are really impactful. I’m grateful for the interactions and experiences with people who have a diverse range of needs and requests.”

Library Director Jennifer Murray says Monje brings common sense and compassion to the library staff and visitors alike.

“Her listening skills and empathy help us do our jobs better,” Murray says. “She makes visitors to the city, the library, and senior center truly feel welcomed. Evelyn learned a lot about local resources which allows her to answer questions from the public and make valuable referrals.”

A recent highlighted the growing need for social services at public libraries. “When there’s a high community need for something, it can be really beneficial to have a library and a service organization working together,” says Vermont State Librarian and Commissioner of Libraries Catherine Delneo. 

Monje's internship was set up through the ����̽̽ Social Work Department’s partnership with the Howard Center, which hosts more than a dozen social work students at the bachelor’s and master’s level.

“The breadth of services Howard Center provides in the community creates a rich learning experience for developing social workers,” says Senior Director of Client Services Charlotte McCorkel, who serves as Monje’s field instructor. “When South Burlington city leadership approached Howard Center about a partnership in supporting a social work student at the library, it seemed like a perfect fit, and the inaugural year has definitely been a success.”

In weekly meetings with McCorkel, Monje discusses her developing social work identity, skill building, and progress with specific projects at the library.

“Evelyn will often bring a scenario and we explore social work ethics and the intersections between her coursework and field work,” McCorkel explains. “She is such a pleasure to work with. Her warm personality and the way she embraces social work values make her a perfect fit for this field placement.” 

The field instructor role is a critical piece in the development of social work students. Over the past 15 years, McCorkel supported more than 20 students. She says hosting students in a program creates a culture of learning that benefits staff as well.

Last year, students in ����̽̽'s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) cohorts completed internships in over 20 different fields of practice, contributing a combined total of 32,700 hours of service across a multitude of communities.

The Cohort Experience

Monje values the close-knit community and support structure in the social work program. During their junior year, BSW students are grouped together to settle into practice and experience courses focused on their development as social workers.

“I appreciate the opportunity to learn from and grow with my peers, and I've made lifelong friends along the way,” she says. “I also made valuable connections with each of my professors and feel fully supported and cared for by each of them. I’m grateful to be in a program where I’m not only a student in my professors’ classes, but also a human being that matters to them.”

Monje also took on a leadership role in ����̽̽’s Social Work Club, which is open to students in any major. Over the past semester, membership numbers are on the rise, and the group is making plans for community action and conversations they would like to engage in this semester.

Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream

Monje envisions her future in roles that support youth development through educational experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting. However, the internship opened her mind to the relatively new concept of library social work that is taking hold in more communities nationwide. She is already exploring ways to tie those two interest areas together.

“I grew up excited to go to ����̽̽, so it's a sweet full-circle moment as I approach the completion of my time here,” she says. “I am currently applying to graduate programs with the intention of completing my master’s degree by age 22. Through this process, I learned that transformative social work education ����̽̽ provides is unparalleled and highly regarded.”

Equipped with her social work credentials, a range of experiences, and her longtime aspiration to serve others in need, Monje is excited to dive full force into the career of her dreams.

“I’m so grateful to ����̽̽ for helping to shape me into the kind of social worker and human being I want to be.”

Studying Transformative Social Work at ����̽̽

Through its teaching, scholarship, and public service, ����̽̽’s Department of Social Work prepares students to meet society's human service needs while advancing social work knowledge and professional practice that contributes to a more humane and just society.

The department's Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) programs are nationally accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.