K. TARYN DWYER '16

 

K. Taryn Dwyer, LSW 

Class of 2016 
New  Jersey 

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SIENA COLLEGE?

While I was in high school, I toured Siena and was amazed how I knew Siena would feel like home to me. It felt like exactly the kind of community I wanted to join, rather than just a place to attend school and take classes. I knew I could get a degree anywhere, but it felt like at Siena I could have mentors, make lifelong friends, and find a sense of purpose during and beyond those four years - and I definitely did. 

WHY SOCIAL WORK?

I started as a science major at Siena but I knew it wasn't the right fit. My advisor (shoutout Dr. Rhodes!) recommended I look into social work because of my desire to help people. Dr. Rhodes assisted in stetting up a meeting with Dr. Carla Sofka so that we could chat. It was in that meeting, I was introduced to all the ways social workers can support individuals and communities, the diversity of social work practice, and ethical principals that guide the work. As a first generation college student from multi-racial immigrant family, I deeply appreciated learning about a field that proactively acknowledged the social and political systems that affect us every day in our lives. I left that meeting knowing social work was a field I'd love to grow in, so I changed my major and never looked back. 

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE AT SIENA?

Something that really stuck with me was how lucky I was to participate in the special community building that happens at Siena. I was an RA, which allowed me to be a resource for first year students I got to go live with every year, but also from connections with other RAs from all class years and majors across campus. Some of them are still my closest friends today! I also had the opportunity to be the president of the Asian Student Union, sing in the choir, work as an ambassador, emcee & preform in Fall Fusion, and so many other things. All these experiences were not only fun, but offered me an opportunity to engage deeply in the amazing community at Siena. 

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT POSITION?

I'm fortunate to work in two areas I'm very passionate about- political social work and social work education. For the past six years, I have worked at non partisan non-for-profit organizations doing work to advance voting rights, voter engagement, and election integrity. I also have the privilege of serving as an Adjunct Lecturer at Columbia University's School of Social Work, where I received my MSW. I teach courses in the MSW program focused on the foundations of social work practice, advocacy in social work, and building skills for anti oppressive social work practice. 

IN WHAT WAYS DID SIENA PREPARE YOU FOR LIFE AND WORK AFTER COLLEGE?

Siena not only taught me tangible skills, but also helped me explore and define my identity and values as an individual, as a professional, and as a social worker. The professors I had- especially in the social work department- were invaluable to my growth and have been mentors to me even beyond graduation.  My education at Siena has allowed me gain the skills and courage needed to forge my own path in social work with empathy, humility, and community at heart. I would not be there without them!

 

 

Rev. 2022