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Indigenous Social Work Scholars

The Indigenous Social Work Scholars Program (ISWS) provides student-centered, professional social work training for Indigenous students to enact and effect transformative social change at Tribal and community levels.
An older woman, a younger woman, and an older man stand against a black backdrop, smiling
ISWS supports student success by:

 

Scholarships

American Indian & Alaska Native Scholarships in Social Work (BSW/MSW/Social Work PhD)

CSW Scholarship Application Deadlines:

March 31, 2025 – Application deadline for all current and incoming PhD students
April 7, 2025 - Application deadline for all current and incoming BSW, HSW, and MSW students

University of Utah Native Student Scholarships
The Native Student Scholarship is for undergraduate degree-seeking students who are enrolled members in one of Utah’s federally recognized tribes

Photo of Nino Reyos wearing traditional clothing and playing a flute

Humans of the U: Nino Reyos

"My aunt, who was a professor at the University of Utah, convinced me to consider getting a degree. She gave me the guidance and encouragement that I didn’t get from my immediate family. I applied to the U and got in. My past influenced me to go into social work, and now I work in a substance abuse treatment program."

A woman wearing an orange shirt and jean jacket up against a wooden panel background.

Why We Wear Orange: Understanding the Dark History and Persistent Legacy of Indigenous Boarding Schools

“As an Indigenous social worker, I know that the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is more than commemorating a tragic history—it is about fostering understanding, justice, and healing. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that future generations inherit a legacy of healing, not harm."

A young woman standing outside and smiling at the camera


A Capitol Time

“I always saw myself in a government job—I’ve always been interested in community health and advocacy—but being in this internship has encouraged and fostered that area of growth.  I hadn’t had a lot of experience with that before, so I just thought it would be interesting."

 

History of the ISWS Program and Support for Native Students

Historic black and white photo of four people (three younger men and with an older woman) standing outsideIn 1970, across the United States, there were over 5,000 social workers with a MSW degree. Yet nationwide, there were only 70 known professionally trained American Indian social workers, with five of the 83 schools of social work  providing specific recruitment, retention, and training of American Indian MSW students.  The College of Social Work (then known as the Graduate School of Social Work) was one of five schools in the country to create a formal education and training program for American Indian and Alaska Native MSW students. 

By 1976 our Native support program had significantly impacted the number of professionally trained American Indian MSWs to 120. Though the historic federal funding that started the program diminished by the 1990s, the Native program continued to support students who became leaders across Indian Country in the public, private, and Tribal welfare sectors, ranging from elected tribal council positions to directors in Indian Health Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, or higher education.

Since 2000, the College expanded its support of American Indian students at the undergraduate level. With financial support from the office of University of Utah’s president beginning in the late 1990s until 2015, the College of Social Work successfully supported over 350 American Indian and Alaska Native BSW, MSW, and PhD graduates. 

Contact ISWS

Photo of Dr. Dena NedJ. Dena Ned, PhD, MSW

Chickasaw & Choctaw
(801) 581-8902
dena.ned@socwk.utah.edu

"As a young adult, my desire was to be of service with Native communities, but I didn’t know what that would look like or how to begin.  What is remarkable is how every opportunity as a social worker provided direction for that desire, to attain a place of privilege and responsibility to support more Native and Indigenous social workers!"

University of Utah Land Acknowledgement

The University of Utah has both historical and contemporary relationships with Indigenous Peoples. Given that the Salt Lake Valley has always been a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples, we acknowledge that this land, which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes and is a crossroad for Indigenous Peoples. The University of Utah recognizes the enduring relationships between many Indigenous Peoples and their traditional homelands. We are grateful for the territory upon which we gather today; we respect Utah’s Indigenous Peoples, the original stewards of this land; and we value the sovereign relationships that exist between tribal governments, state governments, and the federal government. Today, approximately 60,000 American Indian and Alaska Native peoples live in Utah. As a state institution, the University of Utah is committed to serving Native communities throughout Utah in partnership with Native Nations and our Urban Indian communities through research, education, and community outreach activities.

CSWE Statement of Accountability and Reconciliation for Harms Done to Indigenous and Tribal Peoples

Last Updated: 3/3/25