Students Helping Students: A Partnership Rooted in Hands-On Learning and Support
For USD students in Sioux Falls, however, in-person mental health resources have not always been readily available. With an increasing demand for mental health support across college campuses, efforts to close that gap and expand resources became a priority.
“Mental health counseling isn’t really an optional student service on a college campus anymore,” said Jay Perry, Ph.D., vice president of USD – Sioux Falls. “It’s a key component of making sure our students are positioned for success.”
The USD – Sioux Falls community saw a need, and the Master of Social Work program offered a solution.
An Impactful Partnership
USD’s MSW program was the first of its kind in the state of South Dakota. The program has been housed on USD’s Sioux Falls campus since 2022; that transition enabled valuable connections in the state’s largest city and invited new opportunities at USD – Sioux Falls.
“When we moved our MSW program to the USD – Sioux Falls campus, we had a goal to engage in student development through service,” said Kelly Bass, DSW, associate professor and chair of the Departments of Social Work and Addiction Counseling & Prevention at USD. “It happens that Dr. Jay Perry also wanted to provide services on this campus that mirrored the Vermillion campus.”
Together, these goals led to a unique partnership: Graduate students in USD’s social work program provide counseling services at the USD – Sioux Falls campus as a part of their practicum education, and USD students at that campus can access free mental health support when they need it. The appointments are coordinated through the USD Student Counseling Center, allowing that resource to reach even more students.
“The mental health resource and partnership at USD – Sioux Falls is designed to strengthen access to high-quality behavioral health support for students,” said Bass. “Through collaboration with campus services, it offers counseling, education, crisis support and referral pathways that are timely, coordinated and person-centered. The partnership aims to reduce barriers to care, promote early intervention and foster a culture of mental wellness across the campus.”
“The availability of mental health counseling means better production in the classroom and a higher likelihood of retaining students; that’s good for students and good for South Dakota,” Perry added. “The MSW program’s commitment to mental health counseling here has been invaluable.”
High-Quality Education in Sioux Falls
USD’s MSW program takes a person-centered approach to social work education, preparing students to become licensed clinical social workers who are equipped to serve a variety of populations through policy, practice or research.
For Sunita Gajmer and Brandi Shaull, the MSW students currently serving as student counselors at USD – Sioux Falls, USD’s program promised a high-quality education that resonated with their goals.
“I wanted to be part of a program that values connection, growth and hands-on learning, which made USD the right choice for me,” Gajmer said.
For Shaull, the decision to attend USD stemmed from the collaborative nature of the MSW program, as well as faculty who are open to new ideas and ready to provide quality feedback. The unique benefits of the USD – Sioux Falls campus provided further validation that this program would be the right fit.
“I wanted an education from USD without giving up my life in Sioux Falls. The USD – Sioux Falls campus has been a great fit for me,” Shaull said. “I have taken both online and in-person classes and have found that this type of higher education is the best way for me to achieve my goals.”
The Value of Real-World Learning
As student counselors at USD – Sioux Falls, Gajmer and Shaull have gained hundreds of hours of real-world experience. On any given day, they meet with students for individual counseling sessions, write progress notes, visit with their field instructor for guidance and feedback, and collaborate to share insights and strategies.
This kind of hands-on experience, which is embedded into the MSW program, is an important part of the path toward their future careers.
“Real-world experience is a cornerstone of USD’s social work program because it bridges classroom learning with the complex realities students will face in the field,” Bass said. “Through hands-on practice, internships and community partnerships, students build practical skills, cultural humility and professional confidence—ultimately graduating better prepared to serve individuals, families and communities with competence and compassion.”
The value of that experience is not lost on Gajmer and Shaull. They shared that their roles as student counselors have helped them grow personally and professionally.
“I feel that I have grown a ton through this work,” said Shaull. “I have learned a lot about myself through this experience. I have been able to meet with a variety of different humans who are each experiencing their own journey.”
Gajmer noted that the experience has been helpful in practicing how to build rapport, adapt approaches based on the individual and balance the real-world responsibilities required in the social work profession. She also shared that receiving feedback and guidance from Bass, who serves as a supervisor in this practicum education, has helped strengthen her confidence and professional judgement.
Most importantly, supporting others as a student counselor has affirmed her passion for this line of work.
“This experience has helped me become more confident, more patient and more self-aware as a future social worker,” Gajmer said. “Overall, it’s been such a valuable journey: It’s made me realize how much I love this work and how deeply I want to continue helping others through mental health practice.”
Students Supporting Students
Real-world experience is required in the MSW curriculum, though the partnership at USD – Sioux Falls is about more than an educational experience: It’s about making a difference in the lives of students.
“Mental health resources are essential for college students because they help young adults navigate the academic, social and personal pressures that often peak during these years,” Bass explained. “Access to timely, supportive care not only improves well-being but also boosts students’ ability to stay engaged, succeed academically, and build healthy lifelong coping skills.”
Shaull pointed out that the dynamic of peers supporting each other and the added convenience of on-campus counseling help make this mental health resource accessible to students.
“I think it’s great that USD prioritizes mental health in a way that creates ‘students helping students,’” said Shaull. “I also believe that convenience plays a role for a busy student seeking out mental health services. In this way, it’s amazing that USD has facilitated a way for students to find mental health support right here on the Sioux Falls campus.”
While the value of convenient, accessible mental health resources is clear, not all college students are aware of the services available to them. Students may also struggle to ask for help and share what they are going through.
“The Sioux Falls campus is growing, and with that growth comes a greater need for awareness of the mental health resources available,” said Gajmer. “I truly wish more students knew about the free counseling services offered through USD. These sessions aren’t only for academic stress; they’re open to anyone navigating life challenges, anxiety, grief or any aspect of their mental and emotional well-being.”
With that mindset as motivation, Gajmer and Shaull also put time toward raising awareness of mental health resources on campus—working to ensure all students at USD – Sioux Falls know that they can access support with whatever challenges they may be facing.
Safety, Support and Strength
Thanks to the collective efforts of student counselors, faculty and staff, students at USD’s Sioux Falls campus do not have to go far to find support. As Gajmer and Shaull serve students and work toward completing their master’s degrees, they continue to prioritize fostering a comfortable and supportive campus environment.
In reflecting on what they hope students take away from their appointments, they emphasized safety, support and the sense of strength in seeking help.
“I hope students who come to me for support feel heard and supported. I hope they feel like they have found a comfortable environment where they feel safe to share what’s on their mind,” said Shaull. “As an MSW student, I know there are many options for students to seek out mental health services. In that respect, I am grateful for those that come to me.”
“I’ve learned that mental health concerns can take many forms, and sometimes students just need a safe, nonjudgmental space to talk things through,” Gajmer shared. “My hope is that students continue to take advantage of this supportive resource and know that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.”
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