The BSW advising team is dedicated to creating an individualized approach so students can confidently go out and change the world
Personalizing the Advising Experience
At UT Social Work, transformation begins with relationships and personalizing the advising experience for BSW students.
“It’s a core to everything we do,” said Dr. Yolanda Padilla, associate dean for undergraduate programs. With over three decades at the school and both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Texas at Austin, Padilla’s commitment to student success runs deep.
Formed in 2024, the BSW advising team sees more than 70 students each year in pursuit of their Bachelor of Social Work.
The advising team in itself is meant to support students and get students from their starting point when they come into the university, to graduation — ensuring they meet all academic requirements and take advantage of all the extra resources and opportunities we have to offer, said Andrea Tamez, the BSW program coordinator.
However, that is just the baseline. The BSW advising team differs from other advising teams because they strive for a personalized student experience. From ensuring student degree plans align with their interests and post-grad plans to sending students targeted advising emails, the team prioritizes streamlining and humanizing the university experience for students.
This is effective when students are struggling academically and do not know who to go to.
“Because we’ve established a personalized experience, they know they can always come to us,” said Raniah Fattah, the senior academic advisor. “They know who we are and where to find us and we’re able to give them that extra support.”
Results That Reflect Impact
One of the team’s proudest achievements is SWEEP, the Social Work Education Enhancement Program. Designed to support first-year students, it offers peer mentorship, social events, and leadership opportunities to build connections from day one.
Tamez loves watching students grow. “Mentees apply to become mentors,” she said. “There’s so much pride in seeing that full-circle moment.”
Another standout initiative is Welcome to Texas, a university-wide recruitment event. The program is designed to introduce admitted students to the program before they commit. This year the BSW advising team exceeded expectations with attendance. Prospective students had the opportunity to speak with current students, and parents could meet the advisors.
While there were only 50 spots open for students and their families to attend, many more prospective students arrived unexpectedly.
“It was a good problem to have,” Tamez said.
These consistent positive interactions are also reflected in the success in survey results. The Student Experience in the Research University survey is an important tool that measures student sentiment toward faculty interactions, classroom experiences, academic advising, and their degree plan. The results are then compared to peer university systems with similar populations. With nearly a quarter of students responding, which Padilla notes is rather high for a survey of this scale, the BSW program scored on top. Similarly, the BSW program ranked first in the student orientation survey when compared to UT schools of similar size.
Bright Students with Big Futures
Beyond attendance and survey results, the team is bonded by their love for education and dedication to making an impact. The advising team has also noticed a common thread among today’s BSW students: a strong awareness of what’s happening on a broader, global level. Tamez noted a “pattern of students wanting to be aware of what’s happening at the global-macro level and passionate about it.” Students aren’t just focused on local challenges; they’re thinking big and bringing that perspective into their education and career plans.
With the support of a team that knows them, listens to them, and believes in their potential, these students are empowered to thrive.