TAMUC Social Work Students Gain Real-World Experience

A&M-Commerce students representing the undergraduate social work program recently toured the Lamar County District Court in Paris, Texas. Clinical Instructor Brian Brumley facilitated the faculty-led experience.

The students visited the 6th District Court, where they observed Child Protective Services (CPS) hearings and interacted with Judge R. Wesley Tidwell, court staff, attorneys, CPS workers and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) volunteers.

Nine A&M-Commerce students sit in two rows within the jury box of a courtroom.
A&M-Commerce social work students in the jury box of the Lamar County 62nd District Court. Front row from left: Presli Hevron, Jacki Short, Tava Williams and Shannon Pel. Back row from left: Ginger Cheney, Meagan Leigh-Manuel, Madison Edmonson, Jazmine Salinas and Katie Marcos. Photo submitted by Brian Brumley.

Brumley is a clinical instructor and field director for the undergraduate social work program at A&M-Commerce. He said these real-world experiences are crucial for aspiring social workers.

“Social work students rarely have an opportunity to see the inside of a courtroom until it is required for their work, which can create a high level of anxiety,” Brumley said. “This all-access experience allowed the students to benefit from early exposure to gain familiarity and a better understanding of court proceedings.”

The students also caught a glimpse of their future careers, as several professionals in attendance were graduates of the A&M-Commerce social work program, including CPS Investigator Kelly Meridith, Child Placement Specialist Katie Hollingsworth and CASA Director Clint Hocutt.