Just before wrapping up her speech at the annual Rally in the Valley conference late last month, Harrisonburg Mayor Deanna Reed invited the ballroom full of students to pull out their phones and add her cell phone number to their contacts. 

“I’ve always said I would use my platform to provide endless opportunities for those who need me,” said Reed, who serves as director of alumni engagement and community connections at EMU. “Some of you are going to need jobs. Text me. Let me know your name and where you’re from. I’ll make sure to get back to you.”

The two-day event, held from March 27-28 at the Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Valley Conference Center in Harrisonburg, brought together about 200 undergraduate students, faculty and staff from a dozen accredited social work programs across the state. The annual conference is sponsored by the Virginia Social Work Education Consortium (VSWEC) and provides a place for bachelor of social work (BSW) students to network and connect, share resources and ideas, and learn about graduate school and career opportunities in a professional conference milieu. 

Fifteen students and four faculty members from EMU’s social work program attended the conference. Among them were three students who collaborated with peers from James Madison University and Virginia Union University to plan and organize the event. The theme of Rally in the Valley 2025 was “Learning Beyond the Classroom.”

In addition to her role as mayor, Reed co-founded On the Road Collaborative, an afterschool program that empowers middle and high school students with educational opportunities and hands-on career experiences. The Harrisonburg-based nonprofit has also provided internships to many social work students over the years. “Social work is not just a profession,” Reed said in her speech welcoming students, faculty, and staff to Harrisonburg. “It is a calling to build and strengthen communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.” 

Reed, recently named one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of Virginia for 2025, was introduced on stage by EMU Social Work juniors Abadit Desta and Ekram Siraj, who served on the conference planning committee. The two students participated in On the Road Collaborative as middle schoolers and credited the program with helping them succeed. 

This year marked the first time that students from Blue Ridge Community College attended Rally in the Valley. Students graduating from a community college with an associate’s degree in human services can easily transfer to a school like EMU and earn their BSW in two years, said Professor Deanna Durham, director of the social work program at EMU. 

A job fair at the conference, featuring representatives from local community service boards, hospitals, the state Department of Corrections, and other employers, gave students an opportunity to learn more about available positions in the workforce. “There are a lot of job openings in mental health right now,” Durham said. “The demand is greater than the supply. What I love is that some corrections programs are leaning into restorative justice, which aligns with the ethics and philosophy of our EMU students.”

Students could also meet with admissions counselors from several schools to explore graduate programs. At a table stocked with brochures and resources, Merry Yirga and Lexi Brown from undergraduate admissions worked to spread the word about EMU’s offerings. “The conflict transformation program has really been a draw for people looking at master’s degrees,” Brown said.

Through what is called an accelerated or advanced study, BSW graduates from EMU can earn their master of social work in just one year if they meet GPA requirements. That’s the result of EMU’s full accreditation with the Council on Social Work Education.

EMU senior Cecilia Rafael Castelan said she was looking forward to attending a pair of workshops, including one focused on budgeting skills for new social workers. Castelan said the conference helps her connect not only with other BSW students from around the state, but also with her own EMU classmates. “Since we’re all busy with our practicums, we haven’t had time this semester to debrief as much as we usually do,” she said. “It’ll be nice to spend time with them.”

First held in 1980 at Massanetta Springs in Harrisonburg, Rally in the Valley was created by faculty from JMU and EMU. Today, the 13 colleges and universities in the Virginia Social Work Education Consortium take turns planning and hosting the statewide conference. Students attended the 2025 conference from: Blue Ridge Community College, EMU, Ferrum College, George Mason University, JMU, Longwood University, Mary Baldwin University, Norfolk State University, Radford University, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia State University, and Virginia Union University.

Allen, of Weyers Cave, Virginia, was presented with the award on Friday, March 22, at the NASW chapter’s annual conference in Norfolk. She said it was an honor just to be nominated for the award and was shocked to find out she had won. Joining her at the conference from EMU was Professor Carol Hurst.

“I was excited to have one of my professors and my family in the same place because they’ve been there for me and encouraged me along the way,” Allen said.

The EMU senior, whose mother is a social worker for the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Community Services Board, said she’s always enjoyed helping others.

This semester through a full-time senior practicum, Allen is working side-by-side with a school social worker and helping students at Riverheads Elementary School become more engaged in their academics. As part of her field placement with Augusta County Public Schools, she meets with kids weekly and works to get them caught up through mentoring, fun activities, academic support and motivation.

The top of their list

Professor Deanna Durham, director of the social work program at EMU, said Allen was a unanimous pick from the nomination committee.

“There are three faculty in social work and we all brainstormed about who would be a good person to nominate,” Durham said. “We all had Bri at the top of our list.”

A nomination letter sent to the NASW noted Allen’s engagement in intercultural relationships and her direct work with children and their parents through and the Boys & Girls Club of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

“Bri’s leadership and interpersonal strengths stand out,” the letter reads. “She has been a warm and energetic organizer of others.”

It lauds Allen in her ability to lead her softball teammates and social work classmates in service projects. It also notes her positive contributions in class as well as her aptitude for clinical social work practice.

“Brianna Allen is a caring, empathetic social worker and member of NASW who will make an impact on our field,” the letter states.

A rewarding part of the job

Allen said her classes at EMU and the support she’s received from professors have prepared her well. 

“I see the things I’ve learned play out in my practicum all the time,” she said.

After graduating from EMU in May, Allen will begin an accelerated online program at Virginia Commonwealth University to earn her master’s in social work. As part of the three-semester program, she said she looks forward to being placed in an internship where she can continue making a difference.

“In social work you meet individuals who need help and sometimes don’t know where to start,” Allen said. “Maybe you can’t solve their problems, but you can give them the tools they need. Seeing them take those tools and either turn their life around or change a part they need to work on — that’s really rewarding.”

Small but mighty

EMU’s social work program has been continuously accredited by the Council on Social Work Education () since 1976. Only about 15 programs in Virginia, including EMU, are fully accredited, Durham said. Thirty-three social work majors make up the program.

While the award received by Allen will draw more attention to the quality of students at EMU, Durham said the program has already set itself apart from its peers.

“We’re small but mighty, and we have students who are digging in deep in the profession and contributing amazing energy and creative imagination to our local community,” Durham said. “This will be another time for other programs to look to EMU and say, ‘Wow, way to go.’”