Springfield College School of Social Work to Host Convocation

SPRINGFIELD — The Springfield College School of Social Work hosts its 2017 fall semester convocation on Sept. 9, starting at 9 a.m., in the Fuller Arts Center welcoming all students from both the weekday and weekend programs in Springfield and weekend program in Worcester.

This year’s fall semester convocation’s featured speaker is Germaine Smith-Baugh, EdD, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Broward County, Fla. She became the only woman, and the youngest administrator, to lead an Urban League affiliate in Florida when she was appointed to the position in 2006.

In 2015, Smith-Baugh was instrumental in heading efforts to secure Greater Fort Lauderdale as the premier destination for the National Urban League Conference. The event brought 13,000 attendees and generated an estimated economic impact of $10 million for the region. She is a member of the board of directors of Holy Cross Hospital in South Florida and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance, a member of Leadership Florida, and advisory board member of the International Career and Business Alliance.

Smith-Baugh earned a Doctor of Education in organizational leadership, nonprofit leadership and management from Nova Southeastern University; a master’s degree in social work administration from Florida State University; and a dual bachelor’s degree in business communication from Florida State University.

The Urban League of Broward County is a nonprofit organization charged with evaluating the standard of living for families is underserved urban communities. In her role, she is credited with helping launch the opening of a $9 million Community Empowerment Center, among other achievements.

The Springfield College School of Social Work offers multiple programs for students including a full-time, two-year, weekday master of social work program in Springfield, and a part-time, three-year, weekend master of social work program in Springfield and Worcester. There are also options for graduates of Council on Social Work Education-accredited Bachelor of Social Work programs to choose either a four-semester weekend or three-semester weekday advanced standing program. The combined Master of Social Work/Juris Doctorate is a four-year, full-time program in conjunction with Western New England University School of Law. Students also can work toward a post-master’s certificate in advanced practice with children and adolescents.