Evaluation of Student Experiences on the APU Campus to Inform University Initiatives, Policies, and Practices

Elenoa Tupouniua, Undergraduate Student, Social Work

Itati Osorio, Undergraduate Student, Social Work

Patty Floyd, Undergraduate Student, Social Work

The American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare has identified 12 Grand Challenges that call social workers to address some of the most challenging social issues in the U.S. Based on data collected from various APU departments, three social work seniors present empirical research projects, as a requirement for the Bachelor of Social Work program, that address at least one of the 12 Grand Challenges. All three projects are based on data
provided by Azusa Pacific University, and look at issues such as raising awareness about sexual assault among undergraduates at APU, which relates to the Grand Challenge of achieving equal opportunity and justice; the extent and experience of food insecurity, which relates to the Grand Challenge of reducing extreme economic inequality; and perceived barriers to social work student-led research projects, which affects all Grand Challenges since research informs social work practice across all specialties of social work. Together, implications of their research inform initiatives, practices, and policies at APU regarding sexual
assault awareness, food insecurity, and barriers to social work student-led research projects.