Biographical Statement: My name is Rachelle Keaton, and I am a BSW student at BYU-Hawaii. I have been the active Social Work Student Association President on campus for the 2016-2017 school year. As the SWSA president I have been able to work with fellow students and faculty members to provide support to local communities through delivering aid to homeless individuals in Hau’ula and Kaka'ako, coordinating regular beach clean-ups, and interacting with our kupuna at the local assisted living centers. I am a proponent of academic achievement as well as hands-on community involvement and was awarded the 2016 NASW BSW Scholarship Award. I work as the BYU-Hawaii Social Work Department Tutor. I am a huge fan of raw cookie dough, gender equality, and debating President Donald Trump’s decisions, though not necessarily in that order.
Platform Statement: As the NASW Hawai’i Chapter BSW Representative, I will strive to strengthen the quality, resiliencey, and effectiveness of the next generation of Social Workers by linking current BSW students to the resources and information offered through the NASW Hawai’i Chapter. I hope to also unite Hawai’i BSW students under NASW to promote advocacy and give real-life credibility to the idea that there is strength in numbers. To have the opportunity to become a part of a profession and organization that is committed to the betterment of all people is inspiring, and I am honored to be a candidate for this position.
