Annie Avila ’22 wins social worker award from NASW

Annie Avila ’22, who got her degree as a double major in administration of justice and social work, fueled her passion for helping families in need during her undergraduate time at Salve Regina. Avila is currently attaining her master’s degree in social work and working in the field, and her hard work has been noticed. She was recently awarded the Promising Practitioners Award from the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

Balancing a double major and extracurriculars

During her undergraduate studies at Salve Regina, Avila was a double major in administration of justice and social work. Outside of the classroom, she was an intern for the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention and served on the executive board for the social work club. She also became part of the Phi Alpha Honors Society, an honor society for social work students.

Avila is part of Phi Alpha Honors Society, an honor society for social work students.

Additionally, Avila was the co-founder of the Hispanic and Latinx Student Organization that strives to educate the community about the Hispanic and Latinx culture in the United States and throughout Latin America. Beginning this club is one of Avila’s proudest accomplishments of her time at Salve Regina.

“I was able to work alongside other students who shared the same experience as me and wanted to create a safe space for the Latinx community on campus,” says Avila.

It could sometimes be a challenge for Avila to balance her classes, internship, homework and a social life. However, Avila pushed through and thrived in both study and extracurriculars.

Two professors stand out to Avila as being a great support system and shaping her time at Salve Regina. Vincent Petrarca, senior lecturer in the criminal justice and criminology department, helped Avila determine her intended career path. Petrarca was Avila’s advisor from her freshman to senior year. Dr. Mary Montminy-Danna, professor of social work, is another influential figure for Avila.

“Professor Petrarca saw me grow into the person I am today,” explained Avila. “He cares about his students and truly advocates for them…. Dr. Montminy-Danna believed in me and always supported me in my decision of double majoring.”

The social work department actually nominated Avila for the Promising Practitioners Award from the Rhode Island Chapter of NASW, which was awarded to Avila at the end of 2022.

“I am very thankful for receiving this award and being chosen as someone who exemplifies a future social worker,” said Avila.

This is what Avila wrote upon receiving her award from the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

The connection between administration of justice and social work

 Avila loved seeing how both of her majors fit well together inside the classroom and post graduation.

“I was able to see a lot of overlap on concepts that I had learned in class and was able to look at the topics from the different lenses of social work and administration of justice,” reflected Avila.

After graduation, Avila secured a job as a clinician at the North American Family Institute, a nonprofit human service agency helping children and adults with mental health and behavioral issues in Warwick, Rhode Island.

“Over the past year, I have worked closely with at risk-youth and have been able to provide services and support to families in need,” said Avila. “I am proud to use my Spanish language skills in the field, especially to assist communities that are faced with language barriers.”

Avila explains she is fortunate to have found a job in her field right after graduating in May 2022. Also a week after graduating from Salve Regina, Avila started the advanced standing master of social work program at Rhode Island College and is anticipated to graduate in May 2023.

After graduating in May, Avila hopes to continue working with family and children in need in the states of Rhode Island and Connecticut by attaining her license in social work.

Article written by student writer Morgan Rizzo ’23

Salve Spotlights is a series of people-centered stories periodically featured on SALVEtoday. Check out the tag Salve Spotlights for more stories.