Grandmother’s example inspires scholarship

By Vanessa Ciccone

After working in the field for nearly 30 years, Faculty of Social Work alumna Jocelyn Monsma Selby, BSW’81, MSW’90, still feels that she has more to offer.

Along with her private social work practice, Monsma Selby is heavily involved in community activities. She serves as a member of social work Dean Gayla Rogers’ community advisory board; sits on the board for Inn from the Cold, and has chaired several fundraisers for charitable causes, including the Kids Help Phone and the Glenbow Museum. She has also worked in several counselling settings, including Calgary Police Services’ Crisis Team.

She considers it an honour and a privilege to be involved in the social work community, and to work with people during the most difficult times in their lives. “If you look at the vision of the Faculty of Social Work, part of which is to create social wellbeing and just societies, you will see that there are many different ways to impact the communities in which we live,” Monsma Selby says.

Recently, she made an impact on social workers of the future by establishing the Jocelyn Monsma Selby Graduate Scholarship in Social Work. Valued at $1,000 per year, the award will be given to a student specializing in clinical practice who has interest or experience in mental health and addictions.

Monsma Selby says her gift was inspired by her 92-year-old grandmother, who still works in real estate, raises funds for charitable causes, and contributes to the community. “She serves as an example to me, and has taught me that philanthropy and community involvement are states of mind,” says this generous alumna.