Jordan Cody ’24, MSW’25: Support System, Advocate, and

Thu, 10/30/2025 - 12:00

By Judith Kelliher

As Jordan Cody ’24, MSW’25, began looking ahead to pursuing a “helping profession” to study in college, she initially imagined herself going into psychology, specifically working with children and mental health. However, everything changed during her senior year of high school when, at 18, she was diagnosed with Stage 3 anaplastic non-Hodgkin’s large-cell lymphoma.

Throughout Cody’s treatment at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Conn., her two social workers were a lifeline for both her and her family.

“Their support carried us through one of the hardest chapters of my life. When treatment ended, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to follow in their footsteps,” Cody said. “That experience led me to explore the field of social work, and I quickly fell in love with it. The more I learned, the more I realized it aligned perfectly with my values and interests.”

Cody was especially drawn to the holistic lens of social work—the way it considers every aspect of a person’s life and how those factors shape their mental health, behavior, and overall well-being. (She earned a Bachelor of Social Work in 2024 and a Master of Social Work in 2025.)

“I didn’t always know I would become a social worker, but I’m grateful that my journey, even the difficult parts, led me here,” she said.

Today, Cody works as a school social worker at Specialized Education Services (SEC) in Hartford, Conn., a leading provider of K-12 education services for students who require additional academic and behavioral support that is often unavailable in traditional school settings. At SEC, Cody works with individuals on building social skills and working toward their Individualized Education Program goals. She also teaches social skills in a classroom setting, helping students practice communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation in a group environment.

“These sessions, both individual and group, are also spaces for students to process whatever they’re going through, whether it’s challenges at home, peer dynamics, mental health struggles, or relationship issues. I’m not just their social worker; I’m their support system, advocate, and cheerleader,” Cody said.

Her favorite part of the job will always be working with her students. She finds that each student is unique, with their own strengths, personalities, and stories.

“There’s nothing more rewarding than witnessing their growth, whether it’s expressing their emotions more confidently, overcoming a challenge, or achieving academic or personal milestones. Watching them thrive, in both big and small ways, is what makes this work so meaningful,” she said.

Without hesitation, Cody believes she would not be the social worker she is today if not for her Springfield College experiences. The faculty, in particular, were instrumental in her success, including Andrew Schoolnik, Lisa Watson, Effrosyni Kokaliari, and Anthony Hill.

“All of them brought their own expertise and real-world experience into the classroom. They not only challenged us but believed in us, even on the days we struggled to believe in ourselves. Their support and mentorship helped build my confidence as both a student and future clinician,” Cody said.

One field experience during her undergraduate studies, in particular, provided her with a strong foundation entering the profession. At Mercy Medical Center’s Behavioral Health Unit (Springfield, Mass.), under the supervision of Maria Mead, LICSW, Cody was immersed in hands-on clinical work from day one. That placement taught her how to truly understand diagnoses and symptomology, navigate complex systems, advocate for patients, and connect them to the right resources, all while being part of a supportive learning environment.

In her time on Alden Street, Cody didn’t just focus on her classroom work. She felt strongly about making a difference in the community. As an undergraduate, she co-created and served as co-president of the Social Work and Social Justice Club alongside her close friend, Megan Mohan. Their goal was to create an inclusive space where students and staff from all majors could come together to give back to the community through service-based projects.

“One of my favorite initiatives we led was making fleece tie-blankets to donate to local hospitals and animal shelters in the Springfield area. It was such a fun and meaningful activity of collective action,” Cody said.