For Florence, Alabama native Maresha Thompson, choosing to pursue higher education at the University of North Alabama was an easy decision once she discovered the strength of UNA’s Social Work program. “I knew I could gain the groundwork and expertise required to become a competent and successful social worker,” she explains.
From the start, she was impressed by the program’s strong community connections and focus on real-world experience. “Being able to network with various community agencies… was undoubtedly the highlight of my UNA experience,” she says. Through volunteer opportunities and partnerships with local organizations, she built valuable professional skills and lifelong friendships with her peers. “Thanks to this chance, I was able to gain experience in a variety of social work sector settings and ultimately identify the one that piqued my interest the most.”
As a working single mother with a full-time career, Thompson found UNA’s online Master of Social Work program essential to her success. “The fact that [this program] is online was another big factor in my decision to continue my education because, as a working single mother with a full-time career job, I knew I wouldn’t be able to attend classes on campus,” she explains. Throughout her studies, she benefited from interactive learning experiences—including role-playing, case studies, and community-based projects—that prepared her to serve a variety of populations with empathy and professionalism.
Now a proud two-time UNA graduate with both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Social Work, Thompson is preparing to become a licensed clinical social worker. Reflecting on her journey, she credits UNA with providing the support, flexibility, and professional preparation that made her goals possible. “My instructors were accommodating and ready to assist me when I needed it… thanks to their time-consuming effort to provide me with feedback and pointing out my areas for improvement, I didn’t simply feel like another student on their roster.”
Learn more about how UNA’s Social Work programs prepare tomorrow’s heroes to make a difference at una.edu/socialwork.