Social Work Student Association

Social Work Student Association logo

The UMBC Social Work Student Association (SWSA) works to provide
social work students at UMBC with volunteer experience in the social
work field. SWSA also strives to help students make connections to
social workers and organizations in the communities surrounding
UMBC.

SWSA has been established to serve all social work majors and other
interested parties; to sensitize its membership to the social work
profession, its value base, and ethical responsibility; to promote
social work through community philanthropic activities, group
activities, discussions, speakers, and other activities; to provide
all members with the opportunity to meet and discuss issues and
concerns with other social work majors and UMBC students; to provide
all members with information and resources; and to serve as a link
between students, faculty, and the community.

Main Campus

2025–2026 Main Campus Officers

  • President
    • Bekkah West
  • Vice President
    • Mia Cannon
  • Treasurer
    • Ashley Cabrera
  • Public Relations Chair
    • Angelie Colachagua
  • Service Chair
    • Corey Bryce
  • Secretary
    • Marlene Moreno
  • Faculty Advisor
    • Dr. Kerri Evans

Shady Grove Campus

2025–2026 Shady Grove Campus Officers

  • President
    • Oliver Salter
  • Vice President
    • Victoria Thompson-Taylor
  • Treasurer
    • Karen Chij
  • Secretary
    • Addie Crowley
  • Public Relations Chair
    • Alexia Orellana
  • Service Chair
    • Mel Miguel
  • Faculty Advisor
    • Natalie Sanchez

Student Organization Constitution

Article I — Name and Purpose

Social Work Student Association has been established for the
purpose of being focused on serving all social work majors and other
interested parties; working to sensitize its membership to the social
work profession, its value base, and ethical responsibility; promote
social work through community philanthropic activities, group
activities, discussions, speakers, and other activities; provide all
members with the opportunity to meet and discuss issues and concerns
with other social work majors as well as other UMBC students; provide
all members with information and resources; and serve as a link
between students, faculty, and the community.

Article II — Scope

This organization is subject to the jurisdiction of the Student
Government Association of the University of Maryland, Baltimore
County, as well as to the President of the University and his/her
designee.

Article III — Membership

A UMBC student can become a member of this organization by
attending at least 3 meetings or events. Membership is open to any
UMBC undergraduate student without restriction of GPA requirement,
try-outs, or similar criteria.

Student organizations within the “funded” category are not
permitted to remove members except under very specific circumstances.
A member may lose membership status only when:

  • An active member fails to fulfill or meet the requirements for
    active membership as defined in this constitution; and/or
  • The University of Maryland Baltimore County imposes a sanction
    or condition on a member as a result of that member’s violation
    of the Student Code of Conduct, and that sanction or condition
    expressly, or necessarily, terminates that member’s membership
    status or eligibility (e.g., suspension, dismissal, loss of
    university privileges, etc.).

Student organizations that have concerns regarding the behavior of
a member are to report the behavior to the university. A student
organization is not permitted to penalize or remove members based on
unsubstantiated or anonymous complaints, or without due process.

Membership in this organization will not be denied because of
race, color, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual
orientation, physical or mental disability, disabled veteran or
veteran status, national origin, or religion.

Article IV — Officers and Elections

Officers

The officers of the Social Work Student Association shall be the
President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Service Chair, and
Public Relations Chair. Officers must remain in good standing with
the organization — defined as attending three SWSA events within the
last academic year, including service events, GBMs, or other SWSA
sponsored events such as advocacy day — while in office.

President
  • Coordinate with other board members to ensure smooth running
    of the organization
  • Serve as the organization’s official representative for
    communicating with SGA and UMBC staff, including the faculty
    advisor
Vice President
  • Assume the role of President in the event of the President’s
    absence or incapacity
  • Assist all board members when needed
Treasurer
  • Manage the organization’s funds and ensure compliance with all
    financial rules and guidelines, including:

    • Submitting semesterly budget requests on time
    • Filing RESGAFs and other forms to release funds for
      events
    • Keeping an accurate record of funds spent and
      available
Secretary
  • Ensure membership statuses in myUMBC are correct by keeping
    accurate records of attendance at GBMs and service events
  • Record and archive information from meetings and activities
Public Relations Chair
  • Maintain the myUMBC page, official GroupMe, and Instagram
    pages
  • Create graphics for events to share with board and members in
    a timely manner
Service Chair
  • Coordinate regular (monthly) service events with service
    partnerships on and off campus
  • Manage required sign-ups, carpools, and waivers (if needed)
    for service events

Elections

All officers shall be elected to a term of one year starting and
ending on May 1. Elections will be held between April 15th and April
30th. In the case that a vacancy occurs in any elected position, an
election will be held to fill the position.

  • At least 7 days notice shall be given to all members before
    the annual election meeting
  • Those interested in running will self-nominate by reaching out
    to the faculty advisor in April
  • Elections shall occur via an online poll accessible only to
    UMBC students
  • The winner will be the candidate with the majority of votes;
    in the event of a tie, there will be a runoff
  • Current board members may remain in their position without
    running again if they choose

Officers may be removed throughout the year by a majority vote of
the other members present at a meeting. Before the vote, the
individual(s) proposing to remove the officer will explain the
specific reasons for the proposed action — which must involve
misconduct or failure to fulfill officer responsibilities — and the
officer will have the opportunity to respond.

Officers must be in good standing with the organization or be a
social work major. The president must have been a board member for
at least one semester prior; if no one meeting this requirement is
available or willing, someone new may run for the position.

Article V — Amendments

This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of all members
present at the meeting. All amendments must be approved in accordance
with Student Government Association policy before becoming legally
binding.

Organization Type: Academic/Departmental