Financial Support Helps Social Work Student Bridge Gaps for Others
By Abby Ann Ramsey Peters (’24)
August 26, 2026
Community is at the heart of it all for Vallee Vanover (Class of 2027).
She’s a student ambassador for the College of Social Work, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and the president of the Bachelor’s Social Work Organization, which offers community service and professional development opportunities for other social work students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
The social work major and Knoxville native is dedicating her time and future career toward strengthening communities and helping others. UT has shown her firsthand just how important that sense of community is.
“Going to college is such a big life transition, and it can be really challenging to find where you fit in,” says Vanover. “But everyone fits in at the College of Social Work, and I think that’s what makes it so special.”
Vanover was already aware of the importance of community before she arrived at UT. As a high schooler, she was a student in Emerald Youth Foundation’s Calling & Career Ministry, which provides services to young adults to prepare them for post-secondary experiences and careers. The organization helped her with college essays and assisted her in working past barriers like ACT testing fees.
It led her to consider a career in building strong community systems that support people.
“I immediately thought, ‘I would love to do something along these lines for other people someday,’” says Vanover.
That same sense of purpose followed her to UT, where a Flagship Scholarship opened the door for Vanover to pursue her dream of attending the College of Social Work.
Vanover felt right at home. The college’s commitment to helping students and creating an environment full of resources has always been evident to her.
The Flagship Scholarship give Vallee Vanover a chance to pursue her dream.
Gina Middleton, a student success coordinator in the College of Social Work who advises the Bachelor’s Social Work Organization, has seen firsthand how Vanover and others in the college embody the Volunteer spirit and seek to help each other.
“Social workers are helpers by nature,” says Middleton. “When you have a bunch of helpers, they’re going to try to help figure out what’s going on and how to navigate whatever system is bogging someone down.”
For Vanover, that instinct to help others often starts with simply stepping forward.
When she met two fellow social work students who would become close friends, she took the initiative to introduce herself and build a connection. When she realized no one had stepped up to lead the Bachelor’s Social Work Organization, she volunteered.
“I just want to help as many people as I can,” says Vanover, who plans to pursue a Master of Science in Social Work after completing her undergraduate degree.
When she looks to her future, she envisions working in policy and legislation or nonprofit leadership, examining systems and barriers from the top down to create and inspire change.
Her passion for building strong communities makes it easy for her to see how much the support she receives empowers her to give back.
If I did not receive those scholarships, I would be working full time while going to school full time, and I wouldn’t be able to do all the things I do. My experience at UT would be completely different from what it is today.”
Vallee Vanover (Class of 2027)
In addition to her Flagship Scholarship—which provides last-dollar support toward students’ tuitions—Vanover receives the Orange and White scholarship and the Social Work Endowment for the Future scholarship.
“I work as a server only three days a week,” says Vanover. “If I did not receive those scholarships, I would be working full time while going to school full time, and I wouldn’t be able to do all the things I do. My experience at UT would be completely different from what it is today.”
Middleton has been an important source of support for Vanover as she navigates leading the Bachelor’s Social Work Organization.
“Every crazy idea I have, she makes it happen. She’s my saving grace,” says Vanover.
Vanover embodies what it means to be a Volunteer and a social worker. Middleton says her energy, enthusiasm, effort, skill, and willingness to step up set an example for other students and in the profession as a whole.
“I’m sure she will plant the seeds of that spirit in others that follow in her class,” says Middleton.
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