BSW Spotlight: Saying Yes at 40—Shana Smith’s BSW Journey

Hi, I'm Shana Smith, a wife, mom, and first-generation, nontraditional BSW student at the University of Alabama. I'll graduate in December 2026 with my BSW and a Criminal Justice minor. Going back to school after 40 wasn't part of the plan, but saying yes to that first class turned out to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. I never imagined it would lead to a 4.0 GPA, opportunities to learn around the world, and a clearer sense of where I'm meant to serve.

For most of my life, I focused on raising my family, supporting my husband’s military career, caring for others, and simply doing whatever came next. Along the way, I experienced abuse and homelessness, became a foster parent, and learned firsthand that life doesn't always follow the path you expect. I also spent several years volunteering at a local pregnancy resource center, walking alongside women and families during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Those experiences didn't just shape my life. They shaped how I see people. They taught me that everyone has a story, that healing takes time, and that people deserve to be seen for more than the hardest chapter of their lives.

Since returning to school, I've been honored to serve as a School of Social Work Ambassador, join several honor societies, and study in Ghana, Austria, and Italy. Most recently, I spent three weeks at the United Nations in Vienna, and meeting with NEUSTART leadership challenged my thinking about justice, accountability, and rehabilitation. Seeing how family relationships are intentionally preserved during incarceration reinforced what I already believed: when it's safe and appropriate, keeping families connected can change lives.

After graduation, I hope to work in victim advocacy or with families affected by incarceration, helping preserve family connections and support healing for everyone involved. My BSW has given me more than an education. It has given me the knowledge to pair with my life experiences, the confidence to keep learning, and the opportunity to serve others in ways I once only hoped were possible.

Looking back at the past three years, I'm incredibly grateful for the people who've invested in me along the way. My family's support, mentors who believed in me, and scholarships that made experiences like studying abroad possible have all played a part in this journey. They've reminded me that none of us gets where we're going alone, and I hope to pay it forward throughout my career.