Quinn Hafen, a Ph.D. student in Colorado State University’s School of Social Work is this year’s recipient of the Student Award for Leadership & Service in Social Work from the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE). The award is given annually to a social work doctoral student or group of students who demonstrate significant leadership in service to their school, university, and/or professional or academic associations. 

Hafen is being recognized for their significant service contributions, which include implementing planned change throughout the School of Social Work in response to a Needs Assessment, which was conducted to ensure a safe and equitable learning environment for all students and School employees. 

“Throughout the different aspects of my work I aim to create as many small changes as I can to build a more inclusive, validating, and nurturing environment for all members of our community,” Hafen said. 

Across all Hafen’s endeavors, they’ve strived to enact structural and lasting change in pursuit of social justice, which is central to the social work profession. Their work has built community, elevated student voices, and held the school accountable to its mission to create an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and liberatory learning community. 

“My hope is that these small steps come together to create system level change,” Hafen said. “Ultimately, I hope to challenge policies and practices that invalidate the lived experiences of marginalized folks and to break down structures of oppression.” 

Putting in the work 

To Hafen, the award is worth more than just the title. It’s an all-encompassing reflection of the time and effort they’ve put in. 

“Similar to many other students from underrepresented communities, I have struggled with imposter syndrome,” Hafen said. “Receiving this award has been a tangible reminder of both the support I have received and of the impact of my work.” 

Hafen’s nominator for the award, Anne Williford, associate professor and doctoral program director in the School of Social Work, highlighted Hafen’s guidance on the School’s Needs Assessment. 

“As a result of Hafen’s leadership and the success of their efforts to date, they led critical aspects of the School’s Needs Assessment, which was a much needed and crucial opportunity to understand the needs and perspectives of underrepresented students within our degree programs,” Williford said. “Their leadership here has been essential for centering student voice in the School’s strategic planning to promote greater equity and inclusion.” 

“The Needs Assessment and Strategic Planning processes have only been possible thanks to the students and employees who have called attention to existing issues and pushed for change,” Hafen said. “Dr. Paula Yuma’s leadership and mentorship throughout these processes has provided an incredibly solid foundation for me, my peers, and my colleagues to reflect on our policies and practices and to identify where we need to do better. Crucially, this work has been supported by our school director, Dr. Charlotte Bright, who has created paid positions for students to be directly involved in change processes.”  

The GADE award isn’t Hafen’s first: their early scholarly work revolved around immigration and immigrant rights and earned acknowledgment with the College of Health and Human Sciences Graduate Student Excellence Award in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in 2021. They also received a distinction in the Equity and Social Justice category at the CHHS Research Day in 2021 for their collaborative work, “Accomplice-building for the Immigrants Right Movement.”  

“This work has led to significant policy advances in the state of Colorado with the recent passage of HB23-1100,” Williford said. “Which prohibits local law enforcement from engaging in developing agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.” 

As Hafen continues to work on their Ph.D. degree, they are focusing on changing social work education on a macro scale to make the field equitable and just, and better support underrepresented populations and marginalized communities. 

Words of wisdom 

Although Hafen’s plan to inspire and create tangible change isn’t slowing down anytime soon, they understand what it’s like to feel intimidated. 

“Being an underrepresented student in higher education can feel isolating,” Hafen said. “My advice to students is to get connected with your community. Before getting involved in this work, I couldn’t have anticipated how many folks I would connect with that had similar experiences and similar desire to create change.”  

Through it all, Hafen’s community has uplifted and continued to support them through their work. 

“Connecting with like-minded peers has not only created a critical mass for change but has also kept me grounded in my values and renewed my hope when I’ve felt discouraged.” 

The School of Social Work is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.