A degree of change: How a social service worker is amplifying his voice

Norman Henry didn't need a degree to make a difference in the world.

Since graduating from Sheridan's Social Service Worker diploma program in 2017, he's helped hundreds of youth by designing and leading programs that enhance social and emotional development, academic progress, confidence and independence.

But to create true and lasting change, Norman knew further education was necessary.

"As someone who grew up part of a marginalized community, I realize that for change to happen, I couldn't just speak off feelings or emotion. I needed the educational background to back up what I was saying," Norman says of his decision to return to Sheridan in 2024 and enrol in the Honours Bachelor of Social and Community Development (BSCD), a program that enables graduates of human service diploma programs to upgrade their credential to a degree in as few as two years. "The job market is also very competitive. Having a degree could help me eventually move into management and also into policy."

Going back to school hasn't meant putting a pause on his career. All BSCD classes are delivered remotely, including lectures that are pre-recorded and can be streamed at any time, which allows Norman to study full-time while continuing to work full-time as a student support counsellor for the Ontario Ministry of Education. "It's helped me master time management and organization skills," he says, "and I'm very thankful that my employer sees the value in me getting a degree and has worked with me to provide flexibility."

“I needed the educational background to back up what I was saying.”

– Honours Bachelor of Social and Community Development student Norman Henry

Through one year of the program, Norman is already seeing the value of the degree as well. "My writing has improved tremendously, whether it's finding data to back up what I'm saying or using proper structure for different types of communications," he says. "All of the things I'm learning will help me serve my community better and also give me the educational background and credentials necessary to have a voice."

Sheridan's Honours Bachelor of Social and Community Development enables graduates of Social Service Worker, Social Service Worker - Gerontology, Child and Youth Care, Community Worker or equivalent diploma programs to earn a degree in two years. The program prepares students for leadership positions by teaching skills in project management; social innovation and creative problem solving; non-profit governance; research and grant writing; social and entrepreneurship; and community leadership and advocacy. All classes can be taken virtually and in the evening.