Tartan Spotlight: Jenny McDermott recognized with Outstanding Service Award by NASW

For Jenny McDermott, social work is more than a profession; it is a purpose rooted in connection, where advocacy and real-word impact collide.

McDermott is a social work program coordinator and a professor at Sinclair College. She prepares her students to enter a field that continues to evolve while staying deeply human centered.

McDermott discovered social work in her early years in college while searching for a career that offered her variety and meaning. She valued a career she would enjoy and would allow her to pursue her passion of helping others.

“I didn’t want a traditional 9-5,” she said. “I wanted my days to look different.”

Her desire led her into child welfare, where she spent five years working with families.

“While many assume social workers focus on removing children from their homes,” McDermott said, the reality is different. “Most of the work is about supporting families and preventing those situations.”

The transition into teaching was unexpected, but she quickly realized that this would become another passion. After teaching a course at Wright State University, she recognized the impact she could have on future young professionals.

“I loved working with students and seeing the same fire I had, it makes teaching feel rewarding,” she said.

In the classroom, McDermott emphasizes meeting students where they are. With such a wide range of backgrounds, from recent high school graduates to working professionals, she focuses on creating an inclusive and engaging learning environment.

“We look at their experiences and find ways to help them [be] their best selves.” she said.

A key role of her teaching approach is experiential learning. She encourages her students to complete a 48-hour field placement, allowing them to experience the sense of social work beyond the classroom.

“What social work is in the wild is vastly different than what it is in the textbook and classroom,” McDermott said.

“I loved working with students and seeing the same fire I had; it makes teaching feel rewarding.”
JENNY MCDERMOTT

She also prepares her students for the emotional demands of the work before they enter the field. This includes sharing her own experiences and encouraging modern approaches to self care, including setting boundaries and supporting a work-life balance.

McDermott noted that the field has expanded in recent years, with social workers in high demand across many industries, especially in behavioral health and with conflict resolution. This shift reflects how essential social workers have become.

There are many stereotypes about social workers, with many believing social workers cannot earn a stable income or advance in their field. To combat these, she actively helps connect students with professional organizations like the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), helping them build networks early in their careers. Her efforts have stood out not just for her students but to NASW Ohio as well.

In 2025, she was awarded the Outstanding Service Award from NASW’s Ohio chapter. This recognized her leadership and dedication to students’ development, as well as her commitment to strengthening the social work profession through advocacy, mentorship, and community engagement.

“Winning this award was incredibly meaningful to me,” McDermott said. “It reflects the work I’ve been able to do alongside my students and the impact on the communities we serve.”

To add to the many hats that she wears, McDermott also teaches an incarcerated education program, where she works with students pursuing degrees and rebuilding their futures.

Working in a non-traditional classroom setting has given her a deeper perspective on the power of education, inside and outside the classroom. She said many incarcerated students come into the program with a strong desire to grow, using their education as a tool to reinforce their new futures.

McDermott lives out her passion for this work and dedication to student and community engagement. Whether she is working on a Sinclair campus or in a detention center, she will continue to shape the next generation of social workers and embody the true meaning of service.

Casey Brewer, reporter

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