Hartsville, S.C. – April 10, 2015 – Shirley McClerklin-Motley, associate professor of social work at Coker College, received the new Social Work Educator of the Year award for her work as a teacher and advocate from the South Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
“Social work practice and education are ever-developing and advancing to better equip students and professionals to provide services to the changing demographics of our clients,” said McClerklin-Motley. “Social workers are a vital part of the president’s Affordable Care Act and are now recognized for our contribution to society at large and the mental health field in particular. It is a wonderful time to be a social worker.”
The South Carolina chapter of the National Association of Social Workers presented its annual social work awards at its Spring Symposium on March 24. Awards for outstanding social worker, public citizen and legislator were presented to nominees who displayed social work values of civil service, ethics, advocacy and leadership.
McClerklin-Motley, a Coker faculty member since 2000, earned her master’s in social work and is a candidate for a doctorate in philosophy from the University of South Carolina. She is the department chair for the social work program and an assistant coordinator for the child welfare consortium program at Coker.
Release written by media relations coordinator Elizabeth McCarley.
