MSW Program Prepares Alumnus to Serve His Community

"I think social work picked me.”

Gustavo Presidente MSW ’16 was volunteering and working when he decided to advance his career with a master in social work from Pacific University. Studying on the Eugene Campus, Presidente opted to pursue the Latino Family and Culture concentration in Pacific’s two-year MSW program.

“There was nothing else like it in the United States,” he said. “Because I am someone who is a part of the Latino community and because I work with the population, I felt like it was only natural for me to continue learning about that population.”

Presidente enjoyed the small class sizes sizes and tight-knit cohort at the Eugene Campus, which built strong bonds among students and professors. He also appreciated the opportunity to study the historical and cultural issues facing Latino populations and to practice his skills in real-life settings.

His internship during the program already has turned into a full-time position as a mental health therapist and the first step in his career.

“To be honest with you, I think that no matter where I go, I am going to be happy,” Presidente said. “As long as I can use some of the skills that I’ve learned.”