When Richard Renz left the military after more than 20 years of service, he wasn’t sure what would come next. After years of contracting work overseas, he returned to the U.S. and enrolled at Boise State University, hoping to find a new purpose.
“I woke up one day and said, ‘This is not for me,’” he said. “Some friends and counselors said I should really look into social work. I met some people in the industry, and the more I talked to them, I was like, ‘All right, let’s try this out.’”
Today, Renz is the Idaho director for Visions Counseling and Education and the founder of Safe Haven LLC. Both organizations support people navigating mental health challenges, incarceration and reintegration. He’s also a recent graduate of Boise State University’s Master of Social Work Online.
For him, social work isn’t just a job — it’s a calling.
“This isn’t a profession. You’re not going to become a social worker to get rich,” he said. “It’s a calling. Once you get that calling and you feel it, you’re never going to do anything else.”
From the Navy to Boise State
Before starting his academic journey, Renz served in the Navy for two decades. He describes that chapter of his life as structured, intense and deeply meaningful.
“I graduated from high school, and I was not ready for college,” he said. “Got into a little bit of trouble and ended up in the Navy. I was supposed to only do two years, but the structure and discipline and being appreciated were huge.”
After transitioning out of military service and eventually government contracting, Renz found himself drawn to helping others in more direct ways. He moved to Idaho and quickly fell in love with Boise and the university community.
“That’s the beauty of Boise State. You can reach out to the community, and they will drop whatever they’re doing and help you out.”
Finding a new purpose in social work
Once enrolled, Renz pursued a bachelor’s degree in social work, followed by Boise State’s advanced standing Master of Social Work (MSW) Online, an accelerated program designed for students with a recent Bachelor of Social Work from an accredited university.
“Advanced standing just made sense,” he said. “Boise State’s bachelor’s degree goes so deep, it covers almost a full year of the master’s program. You’ve already had practicum experience and already proven that this is where you want to be.”
For Renz, that field experience confirmed he was on the right path.
During his first practicum at Interfaith Sanctuary, he worked with a teenager in crisis. When police arrived to question the boy, Renz stepped in.
“I said, ‘You don’t have to tell him anything.’ And the kid looked at the officer and said, ‘I don’t have to tell you anything.’ The officer turned to me and said, ‘Who are you?’ And the kid said, ‘He’s my social worker!’
And in that moment, I knew I was in the right job. That was a pretty powerful moment for me.”
The right support at the right time
Renz speaks often about the professors who shaped his journey, including Diane Hakes, Loretta Constantinidis and Guido Giuntini.
“In my first economics class, I was completely lost,” he said. “I told the professor I was going to drop the class, and he said, ‘Let’s figure this out.’ He connected me with his TA and even sat with us after class to make sure I understood.”
That kind of personalized support, he said, is typical of Boise State faculty.
“If you put in the work, they will do everything in their power to help you succeed,” he said. “That’s why I love being a Bronco. They want you to succeed.”
Closed captions and a video transcript are available.
Why online made sense
After completing his undergraduate degree in three years, Renz took a short break to launch his professional work with Visions and Safe Haven. When he was ready to pursue a master’s, he turned to Boise State’s MSW Online.
“You can still be a professional and work in the community, help with advocacy, help people out and still continue your education with a great level of support,” he said. “I wanted to get my master’s and still maintain a professional relationship in my community.”
The online program gave Renz that flexibility.
Online courses include weekly deadlines and optional synchronous sessions — live virtual classes students can attend at a time that fits their schedules.
“You can still be a professional and continue your education,” he said. “Professors are available anytime. Instead of guessing at a client issue, you can call people who may have seen it before, because they have been doing this for 40 years.”
For one group project, Renz connected with classmates who shared his focus.
“My group had to go over different clinical objectives and practice different theories and techniques with each other. It was amazing because everyone was so focused on getting their master’s that they took it seriously.”
When the group ran into an assignment they didn’t quite understand, they decided to call their professor, even though the course was online and she lived in Florida.
“She sat down with us for 45 minutes. It’s amazing, the support you get in the master’s program.”
Practicum in the real world
Renz completed his master’s practicum at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna. There, he worked as a clinician, walking the tiers and supporting residents.
“You can see the mental health needs inside the prison, and it’s very powerful,” he said. “I’m in class and doing that job at the same time. In class, I’m doing write-ups and diagnoses with the DSM. Then I go to work and see how what I’m learning in class applies to what I’m doing out in town.”
His practicum also connected directly with his role at Visions Counseling and Education, where he works with people on probation and parole.
“We try to give them an alternative lifestyle and new coping skills,” he said. “We advocate for them in front of parole officers and try to keep them out of the system.”
Through both roles, he sees how untreated mental health challenges often influence criminal behavior.
“Criminality isn’t always the root cause,” he said. “Most of the time, mental health influences criminality.”
A veteran helping veterans
As a disabled veteran himself, Renz knows the transition from military to civilian life isn’t always easy. That’s why Boise State’s Veterans Services meant so much to him.
“I moved to Idaho, and for the first time in my life, I felt alone,” he said. “The Veteran Services Center reached out and helped me get my GI Bill running. And as soon as I walked in, a guy made fun of my shirt. I made fun of his shoes. We both laughed — it felt like home.”
Boise State’s Veteran Services Center connected Renz with programs he hadn’t known about, including Chapter 31 vocational rehab, which funded his master’s degree and preserved his GI Bill for a future doctorate.
“For an online student, it’s the same support as in person. They will make time,” he said. “Tutors will Zoom with you. They will follow up on emails and make sure your declaration is done the proper way. You just have to reach out.”
Now, he encourages other veterans to use the services available to them.
“If you’re a veteran and not doing well, come here,” he said. “They will do everything they can to help you succeed.”
Looking ahead
After completing his MSW, Renz has no plans to slow down. He’s already thinking about developing curriculum for Boise State to address gaps he’s noticed in social work education, and he’d like to pursue a doctoral degree.
“I want to learn more and better myself,” he said. “That’s what education does. It makes you a better person.”
When asked what he’d tell someone considering Boise State, he doesn’t hesitate.
“I don’t care if you’re 18 or 81 — have the maturity to ask for help if you need it,” he said. “There’s always someone here to help you. If you’re failing, or you feel like you’re failing, reach out, and someone will be there to grab your hand and pull you up. That’s the amazing thing about Boise State.”
Learn more about the social work program
Earning a Master of Social Work Online from Boise State University can open doors to new opportunities and a brighter future — and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring if an online degree is right for you or need help transferring credits, connecting with a student success coach is the perfect first step.
Ready to learn more? Attend one of our online information sessions or contact a student success coach today.