More than 100 alumni, faculty, staff, program founders, and friends gathered on October 14 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Intensive Weekend Master of Social Work Program at the Rutgers School of Social Work. Held at Trayes Hall in the Douglass Student Center in New Brunswick, the celebration honored two decades of expanding access to graduate social work education and supporting working professionals as they advance their careers and strengthen their communities.
Designed for specifically students who are employed in human services and related fields, the Intensive Weekend Program offers a flexible pathway to a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree while maintaining their employment. Students balance their professional responsibilities with graduate study through monthly in-person classes, hybrid learning activities, and practicum experiences designed to support their continued growth as social workers.
The anniversary celebration brought together members of the Intensive Weekend Program (IWP) community to reflect on the program’s history, recognize its accomplishments, and look ahead to its next chapter. Guests enjoyed food, music, and opportunities to reconnect, while a revolving slideshow featuring students, activities, and milestones from the program’s 20-year history highlighted the people and experiences that have shaped IWP.
Program founders Dr. Richard Edwards and Dr. Ericka Deglau shared reflections on the original vision behind IWP and the value of creating an educational opportunity for working professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge and skills. Their remarks highlighted the importance of a program that recognizes students’ existing professional experience while helping them build the competencies needed to grow in the social work field.
Program leaders Dr. Jack Lewis (director) and Ms. Amy Strickler (assistant director) reflected on IWP’s accomplishments and the distinctive qualities of its student population over the years. “Twenty years of the Intensive Weekend Program represents the dedication of generations of students who have worked hard to advance their education while continuing to serve their communities,” said Dr. Lewis.
“Our students bring a wealth of professional experience, diverse perspectives, and a deep commitment to helping others. IWP builds on those strengths, creating a learning community where students learn from one another, connect classroom knowledge to practice, and grow together as social workers. This anniversary is a celebration of our founders’ vision, the contributions of our faculty and staff, and the alumni who carry the program’s mission forward every day,” proclaimed Ms. Strickler.
A highlight of the evening was The Weekend That Never Ends, an original performance created especially for the anniversary by Helena D. Lewis, an IWP graduate and theatrical scholar. A playwright, actress, poet, and licensed clinical social worker, Helena D. Lewis brings the performing arts into conversation with social work, mental health, and social justice.
The performance offered a creative reflection on the connections between artistic expression and social work practice, underscoring the many ways social workers use storytelling, empathy, and human connection to engage with complex social issues.
The program also featured a presentation by Edgar Hernandez highlighting the anniversary through social media, celebrating the program’s history and the community that has grown around it. Throughout the evening, alumni and colleagues reconnected, shared memories, and celebrated the relationships forged through their experiences with IWP.
For two decades, the Intensive Weekend Program has helped working professionals pursue advanced social work education while continuing to contribute to their workplaces and communities. Its cohort-based learning environment allows students to draw on one another’s experiences, connect theory with practice, and build professional relationships that extend beyond the classroom.
The 20th anniversary celebration honored that legacy and the people who have made it possible. As the program looks to the future, its commitment to supporting working professionals, strengthening the social work workforce, and preparing graduates to make a meaningful difference remains central to its mission.
View photos from the event on the Rutgers School of Social Work Facebook page.
Long before forensic social work became a recognized field, Cessie Alfonso, SSW'77 was already demonstrating what social workers could bring to the criminal justice system: an understanding of people in the full context of their lives, an ability to see beyond the facts of a case, and an unwavering commitment to human dignity. Today, at 81 years old, Alfonso remains deeply engaged in the issues that have defined her life's work.
