Posted May 2012
Dr. Shari Miller and Dr. David Okech will deliver the graduation address at the School of Social Work's Graduation Ceremony on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Stegeman Coliseum. The pair recently received the 2012 Instructor of the Year honors for the BSW and MSW programs.
Miller, a native of Brooklyn, New York, earned her Bachelor of Arts at the State University of New York at Binghampton, her MSW from Yeshiva University in New York, New York and her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland. Her areas of research interest include Social Work Education and the Social Work Profession and her Teaching specialties include Social Work Practice and Theory. Dr. Miller routinely receives high marks from her students for her teaching style and was recently named the 2012 Outstanding BSW Teacher of the Year.
Miller is known as a very relational instructor and enjoys interacting with students.
"My favorite aspect of teaching is having the opportunity to see students begin to think differently, to question assumptions and to translate their thinking into action," said Miller. "
When asked what she would like for her students to remember from her graduation address she stated that she doesn't want to necessarily give advice, but encouragement for the future.
"I encourage our graduates to stay present in their lives as persons and professionals, and to adopt a reflexive perspective to guide their choices," Miller said.
Okech, a native of Nairobi, Kenya, earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nairobi, his MSW from the University of New Hampshire and his Ph.D. from the University of Kansas. This year's 2012 Outstanding MSW Instructor of the Year, Okech is widely regarded as an extremely effective instructor. His specialties include macro and global social work, research and policy.
"Seeing students enjoy and learn is my favorite aspect of teaching," Okech said. "I want the graduates to remember that you may make a small or a big difference, but go out and make a difference!"
