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Bridging Theory and Practice
Practicum placements are a signature pedagogy of social work education, offering students invaluable hands-on experience that integrates classroom theory with real-world practice. A strong practicum team is an essential part of creating meaningful and impactful experiences in the program and in placements. University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work Director of Practicum Education Tonya Slawinski and all five of her team members—Melvin Cherry, John Dalessandro, Amy DeGurian, Alicia Melnick, and Deborah Robinson—are graduates of the school’s MSW program. Though they chose different paths after graduating, they ultimately found their way back to Pitt’s practicum team, advocating for students and helping them to discover their passions.
The importance of practicum placements is universally acknowledged by the team. As Robinson emphasizes, “Practicums are everything. It’s one thing to get an A on a test, but being a social worker is a creative process, and to be a good one, you need to be a creative problem solver.”
Melnick adds, “Our practicums are more than internships. We expect students to build practice skills, much like clinical training in nursing.”
As they navigate the challenges and rewards of working with diverse populations, students build confidence, develop professional relationships, and refine their career goals—all under the guidance of a trained supervisor. DeGurian explains, “The way we manage our curriculum and marry that with the practicum experience is crucial—we want students to read it on Monday, experience it on Tuesday, and talk about it on Thursday.”
Practicums also help students fully grasp and grapple with the barriers clients face, such as transportation, childcare, or employment issues, which strengthens their ability to become effective social workers. While students may learn about these challenges in class, it’s not until they hear clients’ stories firsthand that their understanding deepens. Cherry notes that learning to “reframe language in the field can be the difference [between] a client wanting to engage with the student/professional [and] not.” The practicum is where students realize their value as social workers and find their voice, especially as they move into more advanced placements.
Practicum experience is not only about building technical skills but also about personal transformation, and DeGurian says that it is rewarding to see students grow during their placements: “Many students enter the program with narrow career goals, but practicums broaden their understanding of what they can do with their social work degree.”
Watching students expand their horizons and develop their professional identities is one of the most fulfilling aspects of the work for the practicum team. For Dalessandro, the practicum experience provides a safe environment where students can test their abilities, gain confidence, and confront real-world challenges. “An MSW will take you as far as you want to go,” he says, underscoring the versatility of the degree.
Together, the members of the practicum team demonstrate that these placements are not just an academic requirement but rather part of a transformative experience that shapes students into competent, compassionate professionals ready to make a real difference in their communities. Their own practicum experiences are evidence of that.
The Pathway Back to Pitt
Tonya Slawinski (MSW ’86, PhD ’03)
Director of Practicum Education
“I started my MSW in Florida but finished it at Pitt Social Work. I specialized in direct practice, concentrating in mental health. My first placement was with a community mental health center and the second was with UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, where I worked for many years.
“After the program, I never actually left Pitt. I was the MSW coordinator for [the University of Pittsburgh at] Johnstown, returned to get my PhD, and opened a crisis management firm where I hosted students. I continued in a variety of roles as an adjunct or part-time faculty member, but in 2021, I returned full time as the director of practicum education.
“I understand the strong pull to return to Pitt and [to] give back by sharing the lessons we gained from our own placements and passing that knowledge on to students. The practicum team is strong because they know the school; it’s integrated into them—the goals, the missions, the values.”
“The practicum team is strong because they know the school; it’s integrated into them—the goals, the missions, the values.”
Tonya Slawinski
John Dalessandro (MSW ’90)
Practicum Assistant Professor
“I attended Penn[sylvania] State [University] for its BSW program and learned how social work looks at the entirety of the person to find the best path forward. After undergrad, I worked in a hospital as a medical social worker for two years before returning to school. I specialized in administration, management, and policy planning at Pitt Social Work. It was a unique program because there were placements in government offices, electric companies, banks—places you wouldn’t normally think a social worker would be. I was placed with the federal employee assistance program and gained a valuable skill set, but ultimately I had a passion for health care. After graduation, I was hired immediately at St. Clair Hospital as a medical social worker, where I worked in the open-heart surgery unit, emergency room, orthopaedic unit, cancer floor, and more. I was also put in charge of their employee assistance program, which would not have happened without my practicum placement.
“After 12 years at St. Clair Hospital, I returned to Pitt as director of the Pitt-Johnstown MSW program, where I recruited students and helped [to] shape the early phases of the program. I transitioned to director of practicum education in 2006, which allowed me to focus on what I love most: working directly with students. After the pandemic occurred, I returned to the faculty and continued to work closely with students.
“I returned to Pitt for the student energy and the appreciation shown by agency partners. Witnessing students succeed in their internships was tangible evidence and continues to reaffirm my belief in the power of social work. When you support the practicum of students, you’re making a small impact on all of the people those students are going to help in the future. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
“When you support the practicum of students, you’re making a small impact on all of the people those students are going to help in the future. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.”
John Dalessandro
Deborah Robinson (MSW ’89)
Practicum Assistant Professor
“My undergraduate degree is from Seton Hill [University] in painting. Initially, I pursued an MSW because I was passionate about challenging societal norms through artistic expression and connecting with those in need.
“At the time, Pitt was set up as clusters, so I was in the poverty and associated problems cluster and concentrated in community organizing. My first practicum was at East Side Alliance in [Pittsburgh’s] Bloomfield [neighborhood]. I created a resource book for older residents in four different neighborhoods. My second practicum was called the Mayor’s Commission on Families, which was based half in downtown and half in Northview Heights. Both of my practicum experiences were wonderful and helped me get to know the city. I ended up working on the mayor’s commission as a consultant after graduation, which opened an opportunity to work at Alma Illery Medical Center. I was a social worker there for two decades.
“During my career, I stayed connected to Pitt as a practicum instructor and an adjunct professor for a bachelor’s-level class. Returning to the practicum office as a faculty member felt like a full-circle moment. It allowed me to teach and continue my commitment to social work.”
Amy DeGurian (MSW ’94)
Practicum Assistant Professor
“Having family members who pursued social work and having worked after undergrad at The Guidance Center in Bradford, Pennsylvania, I felt the path to an MSW was clear. I concentrated in Direct Practice and specialized in gerontology, an area where I felt I could make a real impact.
“My first practicum was under the mentorship of Tracy Soska, who played a pivotal role in my career and shaped my understanding of the field. I had a fantastic generalist placement working in supportive housing at TCV Community Services. This experience gave me a solid foundation in building rapport and prepared me for more challenging environments.
“For my second practicum, I interned at the VA in Aspinwall in the long-term care unit. I found myself trying to fix everything, but my practicum advisor helped me see that my role wasn’t to solve all the problems, but to improve someone’s immediate situation with support and resources. That shift in perspective changed my approach to social work entirely. This experience prepared me for my first job at a nursing home, where I worked for five years after graduation.
“In addition to hospital social work positions and hospice services, I taught at the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) and ran a consulting business, helping organizations address gaps in their services. After 15 years in the field, I returned to Pitt as an adjunct, teaching grief and loss, while also serving as the Hartford coordinator. In 2012, I joined the practicum office. I was drawn to the opportunity at Pitt because I’ve always valued variety in my work, and the practicum office allows me to have a day that never looks the same. There’s a frequent misconception that the practicum faculty just find internships but, in reality, our department offers a wide range of opportunities and services including advising, teaching and community engagement.”
Alicia Melnick (MSW ’09)
Practicum Assistant Professor
“After earning an undergraduate degree in psychology from Mount Union College in Ohio, with minors in sociology and theatre, I worked in a residential treatment facility for adolescents with severe mental health issues. While exploring graduate programs, social work appealed to me because I wanted to make a larger impact. As a first-generation college student, I had little understanding of what a master’s program entailed, but I knew I wanted to work closely with people.
“I was fortunate to be accepted into the Hartford Fellowship as part of its second cohort and chose to specialize in geriatric mental health. My first practicum was at the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, where I worked on nursing home transitions, helping individuals return home and find housing. I continued working with the agency during the summer.
“In my second year, I did a dual placement at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic and Benedum Geriatric’s (now called UPMC Senior Care) in-home program for older adults. These experiences were incredibly rewarding, and my connections there helped me secure a job after the program at Western Psych, where I worked for five years on the geriatric mental health floor.
“After five years, I transitioned to a management role at UPMC, overseeing social work within the department of care management. The role came with significant responsibility, including 24-hour accountability, which became challenging as I started my family. Although I loved the work, I realized I needed more consistent hours. I had always enjoyed mentorship, especially as a practicum instructor, and when a position opened in the practicum office, I applied. Joining the practicum team six years ago was a breath of fresh air and a major career shift for me.”
Melvin Cherry (MSW ’06)
Practicum Assistant Professor
“After earning a math degree from Saint Vincent College, I decided to pursue an MSW because I wanted to help people and make an impact in my community. I concentrated in Home and School Visitor. For my first practicum, I worked with Family Links in its school-based prevention department, and for my second, I was placed at Langley High School, later transferring to Oliver High School. I had great placements during my time at Pitt. I still have good relationships with both of my practicum instructors and the Director of Admissions at the time was also helpful while I was in the program and after.
“I ended up working at Family Links for two years after graduation before returning to Pitt as an academic retention specialist in the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, working with students on academic probation. My social work background gave me a valuable lens to support students. I stayed in that role for six years before joining the practicum team, where I’ve now been for 10 years. What attracted me to this role was my passion for working with students and providing mentorship. I love the collegiate environment and wanted to return to a space where I could have a positive impact on students’ growth.”
Strength in Alumni
The alumni network at Pitt Social Work is vast, with each member bringing their own passion, history, and goals to the table. Together, this community has made and will continue to make a lasting impact. As alumni, we encourage you to stay connected and get involved with the place where it all began.
There are many ways alumni can get involved with practicum efforts:
• Become a practicum advisor.
• Partner as an agency.
• Participate in panel discussions for student learning.
• Join the practicum advisory board.
• Send job postings.
• Make a gift to the practicum fund to help with paid placements and other associated costs.
Please connect directly with Slawinski at tslawin@pitt.edu to learn more about getting involved.
Looking to make a lasting impact on a student’s life? Donate to the practicum fund. Your support empowers our students to continue making a difference in the areas they are most passionate about.