Graduating DSW Spotlight: Sharilyn Ray
Sharilyn Ray is one of nine School of Social Welfare students who will become the first cohort to complete the online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program at the University of Kansas this summer. Ray, who is the founder and CEO at Restoration Family Services in Wichita, entered the program with decades of experience in social work. Her time in the program with her peers was another stepping stone in her lifelong goal of supporting people.
Read more about Ray below.
What made you decide to become a social worker in the first place?
Ray: “Well, a lot of it is life experience. I came from abuse and poverty and lots of trauma. Went into a domestic violence relationship as an adult, so I got to see a lot of the other side of the coin of the struggles and what it takes to overcome those struggles and the supports that are needed. And I wanted to just be a part of being that support for other people.”
Do you have a School of Social Welfare memory that sticks with you?
Ray: “First and foremost, my cohort. I mean, I've gained a lot from certain professors and stuff, but I really do not think that I could have made it through the program without my cohort. We started a group chat at the very beginning of our first semester, and I feel like it's been a huge support in getting through the entire program together.”
What stood out to you about the DSW program?
Ray: “I think what has stuck out is taking whatever passion that we have as an individual practitioner and growing it and making it something that can impact social work on a grand scale. The (DSW Capstone Project) itself is something that will impact social work and others who are practicing in those non-official titles. I feel like that's really stuck out, because it's growing that inner passion. I believe that we all want to make an impact in any way, and helping us do it in a doctoral way.”
What opportunities has the School of Social Welfare opened up to you?
Ray: “Definitely connections with other people and learning of other doctors that have a passion for the same area as I have. I feel like it has opened up the opportunity to learn about other areas that I may not necessarily be interested in practicing in, but through our cohort, I'm able to learn about other areas in social welfare that need people to step up in.”
What do you hope to do in your career with your DSW degree?
Ray: “Right now, I am the founder and CEO of a nonprofit, and so I mean, ultimately, I would hope that my studies and my title will help in growing the agency. But that is not really where I want to just land. We're equipping other people within the agency to get higher education so that I can kind of be ready to pass off the baton when I'm ready to go on the more political side of things, to try to help with getting some policies and laws that actually help and not hurt people.”