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Jessilyn Rich
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Tell us about your background
As a licensed social worker and federally certified case manager, I have over ten years of experience working across both nonprofit and for-profit settings. My work has focused on serving diverse, marginalized communities through culturally responsive practice and advocacy.
What drew you to this industry or your current position?
I was drawn to my current role through my work as a bicultural social worker serving Asian immigrant communities, where I witnessed how an integrated approach to micro and macro practice can create meaningful, lasting change. These experiences motivated me to pursue research and teaching for the next generations of social workers.
How do you incorporate current research or real-world applications into your classes?
I incorporate current research and real-world applications by integrating my ongoing studies on critical issues affecting marginalized communities directly into my teaching. I share research findings and the methodologies, walking students through how research questions are developed, data is collected, and conclusions are drawn. This approach helps students see that research is closely connected to real-life observations and practice, encouraging them to critically examine social issues and root causes.
Are there any emerging trends in your field that you find especially exciting?
One trend I find especially exciting is the growing emphasis on diversity and culturally responsive practice in social work education. At SSU, I work with students from a wide range of backgrounds, and this diversity consistently enriches classroom learning by fostering multiple perspectives and innovative approaches to addressing complex social issues.
Have you received any awards, grants, or fellowships that you’d like to highlight?
My work has been recognized through several professional honors and service roles. In 2024, I received the Presidential Award for Best Overseas Unification Educator from the National Institute for Unification Education under the Ministry of Unification, South Korea.
In 2025, I was awarded the IASWG SPARC Research Endorsement Award from the International Association for Social Work with Groups, which provided research support funding. I currently serve as Vice President for Membership and Diversity for IASWG, with a term extending through 2028, contributing to the association’s efforts to advance equity, inclusion, and global membership engagement.
Are there publications, creative works, or projects you’re especially proud of that you would like to highlight?
My scholarship focuses on community engagement, culturally responsive group work, and immigrant health equity, particularly within Asian American communities. Recent and forthcoming publications examine vaccine confidence through community-based interventions, macro–micro integration in social work practice, collectivism and community care among older Asian American immigrants, critical pedagogy addressing White supremacy culture in social work education, and reflective global practice during periods of political uncertainty. This work has appeared in peer-reviewed journals including Social Work, Journal of Social Work with Groups, Journal of Community Practice, Studies in Clinical Social Work, and Reflections: Narratives of Professional Helping.
Is there any research or projects you have recently done that you would like to talk about?
My recent research includes several projects currently under review that examine racialization, working conditions of bicultural and bilingual Asian human service workers, the expansion of oppression frameworks in social work education, and the application of Asian Critical Race Theory to secondary analysis of the Pew Asian American Survey. I am also developing pedagogical research on the use of Korean dramas as a tool for culturally responsive social work education.
Is there anything you would like to share about careers in your industry?
In the age of generative AI, the social work profession remains deeply rooted in human connection and relational practice. While technology can enhance efficiency and access to information, the core of social work, including empathy, cultural humility, ethical judgment, and advocacy, cannot be replaced by technology.
What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is meeting students in the classroom, especially first-year students during the fall semester. I enjoy introducing them to the field of social work and supporting their development as future social workers.
What would you like students to know about you or your department?
I am a career changer who entered social work as a post-traditional student, and this experience has shaped how I connect with and support students from diverse backgrounds and life stages. I understand the challenges of navigating higher education and strive to create an inclusive, supportive learning environment. The Salem State University School of Social Work fosters this same commitment by creating spaces where students can explore their identities, build social work skills, and prepare to find meaningful roles in their communities and in society.
What would you like students to know about your classes?
I want to share with my students that active participation is central to my classes. Regular attendance, respectful engagement, and thoughtful class behavior are essential components of the learning process and make up a significant portion of the course expectations.
What advice do you have for students?
Please come to class prepared and engaged.