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Dr. Patrice Palmer Named NASW’s 2022 Social Worker of the Year

Dr. Patrice Palmer Named NASW’s 2022 Social Worker of the Year

August 4, 2022

Congratulations to Dr. Patrice Palmer who was named the 2022 National Social Worker of the Year–the top honor bestowed by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).

NASW awarded Palmer for her work to help break the cycle of mass incarceration.

Palmer graduated from the College of Social Work with her BSSW and MSW in ‘09 and ’10, respectively. Her degrees then became a catalyst toward changing a past riddled with undiagnosed mental health, domestic violence and criminal activity. Instead of using her troubled history as a crutch, she began drawing upon her lived experience with addiction, life challenges and the criminal justice system.

Today, Palmer is CEO of Chosen4Change, a non-profit organization which she co-founder in 2010. Chosen4Change, focuses on assisting people navigate the multiple barriers of the criminal justice system prior to custody, during incarceration and as they reenter back into society. She works directly with individuals, families, community partners and elected officials by educating them on the challenges/barriers to incarceration and or reentry.

Palmer is also a national trainer for Peace Love Art workshops, which creates safe spaces to have meaningful conversation about mental wellness through using the arts as a tool for conversation.

The Social Worker of the Year Award honors a member of NASW who typifies the best of the profession’s values and successes. In honoring the Social Worker of the Year, NASW shines a spotlight on stellar achievements in the practice of social work.

Watch for the college’s upcoming fall issue of The Stillman alumni magazine for a feature on Palmer.

For the NASW press release and announcement, click here.