Social work student Libby Burgess was wrapping up her Bachelor of Social Work degree this year when she realized she was three credits short to graduate. BSW Program Advisor Zoey Zeitlin suggested a Directed Individual Study (DIS), individual or group work outside the classroom as Libby was already deeply involved in the local community.

As the Outreach Director for her church, Experience Church, Libby had been dreaming of creating a version of a Backpack to School program like the one back at her home church in Central Florida that now sponsors more than 2,000 students. With this idea in mind, she approached Dr. Shalay Jackson, a teaching professor at the FSU College of Social Work about the possibility of a DIS.

“I was so uncomfortable with the unknown and the uniqueness of a DIS that I almost didn’t pursue it. I am sure glad that I did!” expressed Libby when she first began thinking about a DIS.

Meeting weekly, Dr. Jackson challenged Libby to think critically about charity initiatives, including those using results-oriented models. Dr. Jackson then took on a coaching role as Libby took initiative throughout the planning and implementation process. 

With Dr. Jackson’s support and guidance, Libby approached her church with the idea and got them on board as well. The Backpack to School program was created to relieve the financial burden for local parents by providing their children with the supplies necessary to start the school year prepared for success.  

They set a goal of supporting fifty students from Bond Elementary School in Tallahassee, Florida. Working with more than thirty volunteers, sponsors, Bond Elementary and the students’ families, Libby and the Backpack to School program was able to provide fifty-five students with a new backpack, grade-appropriate school supplies, and a pair of brand-new Nike athletic shoes.

“Libby’s ability to successfully manage multiple relationships throughout the project stands out,” said Dr. Jackson. “Her partners included Experience Church, Bond Elementary, Chopped Barbershop, Nike Factory Outlets, and local food sponsors Lucky Goat Coffee and SoDough Baking Co.”

A “Distribution Day” event was planned for the children and their families to receive their supplies. The event also included barbers for haircuts and a nail bar for manicures along with lunch, games, and activities.

“These students radiated confidence as they left Distribution Day and are set up for success for this new school year,” Libby reflected.

Already Libby and her church plan to continue the program next year, making it bigger and better than ever. She also noted how integral the experience was to help her understand the significance of understanding social work at the macro and micro level. She plans to carry these lessons with her as she starts her MSW program this fall at FSU.

“If there is passion in your heart to do something, you have to start somewhere. Don’t be afraid to start small and watch your passion grow,” she stressed. “We are so lucky to have faculty and staff at the FSU College of Social Work that is willing to help grow our passions and equip us to work in our areas of interest. Take advantage of these relationships!”

The independent nature of the DIS gave Libby both the mentor and guidance that she needed to pursue a dream project, which also allowed her the freedom and accountability to make it her own. Dr. Jackson also identified the unique and personalized opportunity a DIS provides for highly motivated students to explore a topic in-depth with the added benefit of faculty support, dialogue, and feedback.

To learn more about a Directed Individual Study opportunity, contact your advisor.

• BSW Program Advisor: Zoey Zeitlin, zzeitlin@fsu.edu
• MSW Program Advisors: Jennifer Farinella, jfarinella@fsu.edu (Main Campus)
• Sydney Smith, scsmith2@fsu.edu (Distance Learning)