10/20/2024
Get to know Max Sleep-Frankel, one of our exceptional graduate ambassadors at the UA School of Social Work. In this installment of “Behind the Badge | Ambassadors in Focus,” we take a closer look at the individuals who serve as bothleaders and advocates within our program. Max offers a unique perspective on his journey to social work, diving into the experiences and influences that led him to pursue his DSW and how they shape his future. As a graduate ambassador, Max represents the values of leadership, compassion, and social justice that are core to the School of Social Work’s mission. In this Q&A, he reflects on his academic and personal growth and his passion for making a positive impact in his community.
Q: What does social work mean to you?
A: Social work involves advocating for and supporting individuals in need, emphasizing each person’s strengths, and upholding their dignity and quality of life. As social workers, we adopt multifaceted roles as researchers, educators, advocates, and clinicians, with each role enhancing the others. As a Doctor of Social Work student, I am able to further develop and integrate these roles, advancing my practice as a social work professional and scholar-practitioner.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a degree in social work?
A: During my junior year, I studied abroad at Oxford University, fulfilling a long-held dream as a philosophy major. However, the experience prompted me to question my academic path; I struggled with self-esteem among highly intelligent peers, and distance from family led to feelings of depression. I sought therapy, where my therapist helped me gain self-insight, explore my career interests, and make meaningful changes. This experience was as transformative as my studies at Oxford. Returning to Indiana University for my senior year, I added a second major in psychology, enrolled in an introductory social work course, became an undergraduate research assistant, and, most impactfully, volunteered visiting hospice patients at a local nursing home. In this role, I had the privilege of supporting hospice patients, helping them reflect on their lives with dignity and fostering positive memories. I realized I wanted to turn these therapeutic interactions into a career in therapy. The person-in-environment perspective and versatility of a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Chicago felt like the right path—a decision I am deeply grateful to have made.
Q: What are your hobbies outside of Social Work? Anything you’d like to share in regards to them?
A: My primary hobby outside of social work is distance running. I focus on marathons but participate in races ranging from one mile to ultramarathons. I am currently training for my 13th marathon, the Boston Marathon, in April 2025. I also enjoy watching movie franchises with my wife, Kerry-Ann, especially horror series, and we are dedicated fans of Survivor.
Q: Can you share a meaningful/ impactful experience from the past year?
A: I recently presented at the Council on Social Work Education’s Annual Program Meeting in Kansas City, MO, where our research team shared our scoping review on the impact of anti-Asian hate on the mental health outcomes of Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. When I was hired as a graduate research assistant in July 2023, Dr. Hee Yun Lee, my research supervisor, invited me to attend meetings for this manuscript, which was then in its conceptual stages. As I contributed ideas and insights, I was invited to co-author the manuscript—a valuable opportunity for a graduate assistant with no prior publication experience. As the manuscript developed, Dr. Lee encouraged each team member, including myself, to present at a conference. With her support, I chose to present at CSWE. Though initially nervous about speaking to a highly knowledgeable audience, I embraced the challenge. During the presentation, attendees posed insightful questions, provided valuable feedback, and shared personal experiences of anti-Asian hate and its mental health impacts. This engagement highlighted the importance of our research, and several attendees expressed gratitude for our work. Presenting at CSWE felt like the culmination of our team’s hard work, and I look forward to celebrating the eventual publication of our research.