Nykamp Appointed Student Rep on NACSW Board

Erin Nykamp ’11 of Holland, Michigan, has been appointed to the board of directors of the North American Association of Christians in Social Work.  As the BSW student representative, Nykamp will provide valuable input to the board from a student’s perspective. 

“We are proud to have a BSW from our program selected for this position,” said Dr. Mackenzi Huyser ’98, chair of the social work department. “ Erin has demonstrated a strong commitment to the social work profession, and this leadership opportunity will allow her to advocate for issues important to BSW students.” 

The NACSW is an interdenominational and international organization that equips its members to integrate Christian faith and professional social work practice. “ It will be interesting to be able to be a part of the inner workings of an organization such as NACSW,” said Nykamp. “ I hope to learn more about social work through this process.” 

Her learning on campus doesn’t just happen in the classroom.  As a student officer for the social work department, Nykamp has the opportunity to work with her professors outside of the classroom. “ My Trinity professors are absolutely fantastic.  They challenge me to develop to my full potential,” she said. “ One of my favorite things about social work is that it is not all book learning, but truly hands on.  This is demonstrated daily by my professors.” 

She is daily expanding her knowledge and experiential learning, but Nykamp is also growing in her faith. “ Trinity has helped by providing so many strong Christians around me to help guide me in my journey,” she said. 

Nykamp, who plans to pursue her masters of social work, is the third Trinity student chosen to serve on the board as a student representative.  Mallory Hansen ’08 and Glory Miranda ’06 also served while students at Trinity.  Sociology alumna Laura Zumdahl ’02 was the first Trinity alum chosen to serve as an MSW rep while a student at the University of Chicago.