Social Work Students Help Decorate President’s House for the Holidays

MANSFIELD, PA— Mansfield University Social Work students from Assistant Professor Tiffany Welch’s Social Work Practice with Families class took a break from the classroom and spent Thursday morning helping Interim President Scott Barton’s wife, Rebecca, decorate the president’s house for the holidays.Rebecca Barton (center, front row) surrounded by Social Work students and Department Chair Tiffany Welch.The eleven students, all senior Social Work majors, helped with placing garland, decorating wreaths and even listened to some Christmas music. Welch says that even while getting into the holiday spirit, the students also turned the morning into a learning experience.

“While the students were decorating, they spent some time discussing positive reinforcement and different behavior management techniques as well as practiced many important communication skills,” Welch said. “The students had a lot of fun, shared many laughs and were grateful for the hospitality that Mrs. Barton provided and hope to be able to help out again in the future.”

“We had a very fun day together,” Rebecca Barton said. “Our students are wonderful. At the end of the day this is the student’s home away from home and Scott and I just want to make sure that they all feel part of the larger Mansfield family.”

The students who participated are Laura Abreu, Cody Blencowe, Brooke Denke, Celestine Featherstone, Caroline Ford, Marissa Gilbert, Taylor Hockenbrock, Hannah McEvoy, Devon Montanarella-Jackson, Briana Nelson and Tierra Nelson.

To learn more about studying Social Work at Mansfield, go to mansfield.edu/social-work/