Campus Welcomes Social Work Director

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   The University of Arkansas at Monticello added a new face to its Social and Behavioral Sciences Department this fall.

   UAM appointed Ava Pickard as the new Social Work program director. Pickard received her bachelor of arts degree from the University of Texas at Tyler and went on to earn her master's of Social Work from the University of Texas.

   Pickard has practiced social work in schools and hospitals for over 15 years.

   From 1988-2003, she taught as an adjunct at schools in Texas (Navarro College, Southwestern Assembly of God University, and the University of North Texas) and Missouri (Evangel University and Southwest Missouri State University). During these years Pickard taught classes in social work, sociology, and marriage and family.   

   Pickard's research interests include trauma resolution and the psychology of aging. She is also interested in faith-based practices and women's studies.   

   She is currently working on a book about "the power of nurturance and faith in the healing process." She has generally avoided writing for publications such as field journals and research magazines.   

   "I want regular people to read what I write," she said.

   Pickard will talk with editors about her book this October and attend a workshop discussing the content of her book in November.   

    For the last three years, Pickard has performed social work in private practice and worked on her doctorate in Family Studies. However, she took what she described as a "hiatus" from her studies and moved to Monticello from Dallas because she wanted to finish out her teaching career at UAM. What excited her about UAM was its small campus and its emphasis on a liberal arts education. She likes being able to connect with her students personally.

   "I like the mentoring aspect," she said. "And my colleagues are wonderful and so funny."

   One of her students, Debbie Hughes, praised Pickard's experience and enthusiasm for teaching.

   "She's very thorough," Hughes said, "and makes sure we understand. She's able to give us lots of examples of what we've gone over in class because she's been there and done that."

   Pickard and her husband Bill, a remodeling contractor, both love Monticello's small, friendly community and plan to stay.

   "I love the people," she said. "I couldn't tear [my husband] away from here."