Shawnee State University receives $500,000 award from the Appalachian Regional Commission

Shawnee State University has long been seeking to add a Social Work program to its roster of offerings, and following its INSPIRE award win from the Appalachian Regional Commission, the school is hoping to begin offering one in the Fall 2024 semester.

According to an article on Shawnee State University’s website, Provost Sunil Ahuja said, “As part of this project, we will be developing a long-needed and long-sought Bachelor of Social Work program at the university in the College of Professional Studies.”

The project Ahuja is referring to is the school’s mission to address area shortages in the behavioral health and addiction treatment services workforce. In addition, the school will be working with regional partners to create a new pipeline of professionals in behavioral and mental health.

Provost Ahuja went on to thank the people and organizations instrumental in these new developments, saying, “I want to thank Southern Ohio Medical Center, Valley View Health Center Community Action Organization of Pike County, Hopesource, King’s Daughters Medical Center, and Shawnee Family Health Center for assisting and advising us as we develop programs that serve the needs of our community. I would also like to thank Dr. Kimberly Inman, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, for her instrumental work in securing this funding. I look forward to supporting Dr. Raber and her team as this program progresses. We are eager to see the future graduates of this program put their degrees to work in this area.”

For more information about Shawnee State University, visit the school’s website.