Campbell Answers the Call to Social Work, Prepares for New Career Helping Veterans
Hannah Bosmyer Campbell has always felt a deep calling to alleviate suffering and advocate for those in need. As she prepares to graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree on May 17, she is ready to turn that passion into reality.
“Social work is an avenue to create change, to support those who are ignored and pushed out,” she said. “So really, how could I not take on this vocational call?”
Campbell’s time in the MSW program has been transformative. Having earned her undergraduate degree from the Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, at age 27, she joined UA Little Rock at 33, an experience she described as both challenging and rewarding.
“The support you receive from the School of Social Work is unmatched,” she said. “It is a community within the larger UA Little Rock community, and I felt at home.”
While she refuses to name a single favorite professor, Campbell expressed deep gratitude for the faculty and mentors who supported her throughout the program.
“They walked with me through this experience, made space for me not to have all the answers, and understood what is at stake when returning to school, especially as a low-income student,” she said. “They know who they are, and I am grateful for them.”
For the past year, she has also gained invaluable experience and a passion for working with veterans through an internship at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHS).
“The moment I started at the VA, I realized, ‘This is what I am meant to be doing,’” Campbell said. “Their approach to internships is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. Everyone I interacted with, both veterans and VA employees, was eager to share their experiences and knowledge. They genuinely want to support and encourage you.”
After graduation, Campbell will begin a fellowship position in the Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) program at CAVHS, a step that will allow her to continue serving veterans.
“I’m excited and maybe a bit anxious,” she said of graduating. “I’m about to step into the professional world, but I know I will miss being able to send rambling emails to my professors about thoughts, connections, and worries. Who am I kidding? I plan to continue emailing them.”
She credits UA Little Rock’s MSW program with providing the education, mentorship, and real-world experience she needed to succeed.
“Several people in the social work profession who I respect praised UA Little Rock’s MSW program, and that was enough of a push for me to check it out,” she said. “When I did, I knew it was the right choice for me.”