Learning done outside the classroom
Boise State University’s Master of Social Work Online program is excited to bring Veronica Timbers on as the new MSW Online Program Assistant Coordinator and Clinical Assistant Professor. Timbers possesses the necessary talent, passion and extensive knowledge of social work to make her a perfect fit for this position. Timbers began her journey to serve others in high school by working with community members who were impacted by poverty and listening to stories about their lives. It was here, through these stories, that Timbers witnessed a whole new world she had never seen before, giving her a better understanding of the systems of racial and economic injustice.
“Early on, I spent a lot of time just listening to people’s stories,” she said. “This helped me to learn that there are systems in place designed to keep disenfranchised communities stuck.”
Developing a justice-based vocabulary
In college, Timbers took her first social work class, learning the language of justice, the words to describe the stories she had heard for years — terms like ableism, xenophobia, privilege and social justice.
“When I got into a social work class, they started talking about justice and policy and how systems work or don’t work together,” she said. “I immediately felt at home in the ethics and world view of social workers.”
“I immediately felt at home in the ethics and world view of social workers.”
For the last decade and a half, Timbers has followed her desire for knowledge and passion for helping others. Along the way, she has earned a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary and is now working on her Ph.D. in Social Work at Baylor University Online.
Along with showing her dedication as a student, Timbers earned her stripes as a well-versed, caring teacher. After nearly five years of teaching, Timbers continues reminding her students that moving the needle of justice starts with self-care.
“Social workers have a tenuous relationship with the systems in which they work. Often, these societal systems slow the progress social workers attempt to make,” she said. “It’s important to look at how to change these systems without getting burned out or so disillusioned and frustrated that you give up.”
“It’s important to look at how to change these systems without getting burned out or so disillusioned and frustrated that you give up.”
In addition to teaching, Timbers is currently working on her doctoral research on mental health access for rural trans and gender diverse individuals. In her free time, she makes an effort to practice the self-care she encourages her students to indulge in by running, biking, writing and, of course, spending time with her kids.
Learn more about the Master of Social Work program from Boise State Online
The Master of Social Work Online program educates students to advocate for and empower individuals, promote equality, and make the world a better place for all people with the help of faculty and staff like Veronica Timbers.