University of Connecticut |Meet the Staff
Jillian Gilchrest
Jillian Gilchrest was awarded her Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from the University of Connecticut in 2004. Upon completion of her degree, Jillian worked as a Child Advocate at the Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Eastern Connecticut in Willimantic, Connecticut. She grew frustrated by what she saw as a lack of resources for women and children affected by sexual violence and decided to focus her attention on policy. In the fall of 2005, Jillian was hired by the State of Connecticut to serve as Legislative Aide to Representative Denise Merrill and Committee Clerk to the State’s Appropriations Committee. She began taking STEP classes at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work and was matriculated as a Policy Practice student in the fall of 2006. Jillian completed her first year placement at the School’s Institute for Violence Prevention & Reduction. This year, Jillian has a dual placement with Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services (CONNSACS) and the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work. In her placement at the Institute, Jillian will coordinate an advocacy project with the Association for School Social Workers, assist with a Hartford Youth Advocacy Project, and work on the School of Social Work Voter Registration drive. Jillian was recently hired to head NARAL Pro-Choice Connecticut as the organizations Executive Director.
Kimberly Junior
Kimberly Junior received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Saint Michael’s College in Burlington, Vermont in May 2003. Following her undergraduate career, Kimberly provided mental health services at the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern CT, and there completed her first year placement as an employed social work field placement. Last year she was responsible for attending several community collaboration meetings, facilitating community assessment meetings, helping with the reapplication grant for the Early Head Start program, along with many other policy and planning projects. At the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work, Kimberly will plan a lunchtime series discussion on electoral reform, co-facilitate the Macro Foundation Practice presentations, co-chair the Campaign School in the spring, help create a permanent display for the Institute, as well as help facilitate Social Work Day at the LOB. Kimberly plans on complimenting her education with a secondary placement in the fall working on a local campaign, as well as a secondary placement in the spring working with a congress person. She also hopes to travel to Armenia in the spring.
Melissa Sokolik
Melissa Sokolik is a 2002 graduate of Bay Path College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in the specialized area of Behavioral Health Occupational Therapy since graduating. She enrolled in the School of Social Work in 2004 and completed her first year placement at Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF). During her placement she became involved in workforce development activities and worked as the Media Relations Coordinator for the Campaign for a Working Connecticut. This past summer Melissa was employed by CWEALF and the Allied Health Workforce Policy Board to develop a strategy to streamline the clinical placement contracting process with the Attorney General’s office, Connecticut colleges and universities, and Hospitals/Healthcare facilities. In January of 2008, Melissa was hired as the Director of Community Education at the Brain Injury Association of Connecticut (BIAC) where she is utilizing a combination of her educational backgrounds for community outreach, prevention education and professional training with regards to Brain Injury. In her placement at the Institute, Melissa will be organizing a curriculum on political advocacy to deliver to first year students, co-editing the Institute’s electronic newsletter, assisting with the development of the Legislative Scoop Sheet and co-authoring the Institute’s annual report. Melissa also hopes to travel to Armenia to study social work in a unique socio-political landscape.
Becky Williams
Becky Williams is an Advanced Standing student who was awarded her BSW from Malone College in Canton, Ohio. While at Malone, Becky experienced a variety of internship opportunities, including work at a grass roots social service agency, a mental health outpatient facility, and a community development intermediary. The latter placement, along with Becky’s experience as Co-President of the Malone College Social Work Club, helped further an interest in macro social work issues. The Social Work Club was honored to host Malone’s first ever Take Back the Night program, raising awareness about domestic violence in the community. Becky was drawn to the School of Social Work by the Institute, and she is thrilled to be interning here. Her responsibilities will include editing the electronic newsletters, the Legislative Scoop Sheet, and the Institute’s web page. Having been chosen as the Ohio Chapter Region VIII’s BSW Student of the Year, Becky also hopes to continue her relationship with the National Association of Social Workers by becoming more involved with the Connecticut Chapter and political advocacy as the Institute’s liaison.