M E M O R A ND U M TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: CC:

Mr. Jose Gomez, B.S., M.Ed. Instructor

NORMA G. SALAS APPLICATION FOR ADDMISSIONS

to Social Work Program

SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
Ms. Lily Romo, B.S., M.Ed. Academic Advisor

Organizational Analysis: The University of Texas at El Paso has been a pillar in the lives of the El Pasoans for nearly a century. The University has opened its doors to all who have the motivation to succeed and the willingness to work hard to improve their lives and achieve their dreams. UTEP is located in one of the largest binational communities in the world because of this it is unique among research universities. It has a broad array of degree programs: 70 bachelors, 75 masters and 19 doctoral degrees. Compared to all other public research institutions in the U.S., a degree from UTEP incurs the lowest net price per degree, despite its annual spending of more than $76 million in annual research. They have been recognized by Washington Monthly magazine as #12 in the nation for excellence in social mobility, research and service. A pride of Latino journalists; a publication Borderzine that is based from UTEP, is a web community that shifts the new voices of Latinos perspectives and experiences in the U.S. from the borderline to the centerline. Job Listing Analysis: 6th Annual Del Corazon Film Festival The UTEP Social Work Program has a unique perspective on social work because of its location in a binational, bi-cultural urban community on the U.S.-Mexico border. The Department of Social Work combines classroom work and practicum fieldwork in social service agencies in El Paso, Texas and the region. They give their graduates the skills and knowledge to practice social work in a variety of settings and due to their unique location with their sister city of Juarez, Mexico this undertaking becomes binational. Not only do their students have an opportunity to work with another nation but they also have an international community being a border city with over 1.5 million people. Within the city of El Paso there is one of the largest military basis in the United States, Fort Bliss, giving UTEPs Social Work Program a great experience dealing with their soldiers and their families. The UTEP Department of Social Work administers two degree programs. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and the Master of Social Work (MSW). The BSW program prepares the students for generalist practice and the MSW prepares students for advanced practice with a concentration in Social Work in the Border Region. Partnerships and agreements with the UTEPs College of Health Sciences which the Social Work Program is part of, have united with the Mexican Consulate to provide education and health services to the Hispanic and Mexican communities based in the Paso Del Norte region. A program named Ventanilla de Salud established by the Mexican government to provide health-related resources to the Hispanic and

Mexican communities in El Paso. This program has been coordinated with many local health agencies along with UTEP faculty, staff and students. This type of partnerships can only be accomplished because of UTEPs distinctive position in a unique location with a multinational student demographic, all for the benefit of its community and a one in a life time experience opportunity for its students.