Personal Statement Sundy Preston

In my two years of undergraduate studies at the University of Washington I have

achieved academic excellence, involvement and leadership in the UWs social work
community, and experience participating in social justice efforts in my local community,
which makes me a unique asset to the field of social work.
I have strived to become a student and community member who embodies the attitudes
and values of The University of Washington, particularly The School of Social Work. I
have built relationships with many of its students, faculty and staff. As shown in my
college transcript, I will graduate with about a 3.8 GPA and have been on the Deans List
every quarter from Fall 2012 through Winter 2014. I have strived to extend my classroom
learning into distinctive opportunities that have allowed me to excel in research,
collaboration, leadership and advocacy.
I have engaged in a two-quarter independent research project aimed at bridging game
theory and design to social work. I have thus far conducted a literature review on game
design, biological and psychological human needs, and the epistemological frame of
social work. I have interviewed faculty at a leading game institute, Digipen, where I
found that game designers aim to meet five basic human needs which are: survival,
belonging, power, freedom, and fun; found in evidence-based psychological research,
Ellinger (2013, February 28). Personal interview.
Games are providing space for a new social infrastructure
1
; the virtual worlds
demonstrate the power to bring people together and bypass the impact of cultural,
geographic, professional, and generational distances. Inspiration of this research spurred
me onto make a board game with the objective of brining people together to explore
diverse identities and impacts in society.
By engaging in this research, I have brought the knowledge to my practicum site through
collaboratively developing a curriculum that better meets the needs of the students it
serves. The aim of this curriculum is to prevent violence and bullying in the Bellevue
School District through collaboration and role-play. This research has required me to be
self-motivated, engage interdisciplinary research and think critically. I was interviewed
about my research for a video presentation at the Annual Association of Baccalaureate
Program Directors in Social Work conference that was held in Louisville, Kentucky this
year.
My course work, research, and extra-curricular experience have influenced the direction I
want to take my career as a social worker. Studying gaming, active citizenship and
engaging in micro and macro layers of collaboration have pointed me in the direction of
community engagement. I have learned that addressing injustice and meeting unmet

1
McGonigal, Jane. (2011). Reality is Broken: Why games make us better and how they
can change the world. New York: Penguin Press.

needs is more effective when creativity and collaboration are involved. Societies
innovations are a strength that can be built upon to create justice and equality. I want to
use these strengths as well as my education and experience to build a bridge across this
divide.
I will stay current on social work areas of interest through the alumni association
membership use of the UW libraries. I will continue to study evidence-based practices
and updated peer review articles surrounding social... I will also read the New York
Times more often in hopes of staying updated on current issues we are collectively
facing. I will also stay in contact with many of my BASW cohort members who will be
engaging in various social work fields that will give me a broader perspective of current
social work issues.
I have gained an understanding intergroup dialogue that has allowed me to engage in
collaboration and facilitation over three quarters. I have developed an understanding of
allyship and how I can use my experience to help change the cycle of injustices by
building bridges across unequal divides so as to foster greater social justice. I have been
persistently conscious of the impact of my communication and leadership styles as I work
through continual feedback from my co-facilitators, participants, and instructors.
I feel confident with collaborative leadership after holding my position as the Senior Co-
Chair of the Undergraduate Organization of Student Social Workers (OSSW). Attending
weekly meetings for six quarters has allowed me to watch the progress of the
organization and see its growth through many efforts such as: successful fundraising,
creating a living art project, supporting the Junior cohort, community service, social
events, and fruitful public speaking engagement.
I have also learned that I have room to grow in understanding issues of social justice from
perspectives of diversity there is always room for both individual learning and, more
importantly perhaps for collective action. I aim to continually improve upon my listening
skills as part of a team to foster cohesive relationships in the area of social work.
At the macro-level, I have gained experience in advocacy through marching on Olympia
with Poverty Action Network as well as talking to my legislators, attending town hall
meetings, and writing them letters concerning the unmet needs of the homeless
population in my home community of North Bend. I realize there is so much to learn in
understanding the policies that shape our society and in the efforts to make them fair.
My two years in the UW School of Social Work have cultivated a strong foundation to
continue to build my social justice skills. I am more passionate now than ever and feel
equipped with essential tools that help me serve with less bias and more strengths seeking
viewpoint. Time is precious and there is so much to work to be done to create equality
and fairness in this country I am excited for the adventures ahead.