É«ÇéÊÓƵ

Kimberly Giardina ('04) is a vocal advocate for the positive influence É«ÇéÊÓƵ has had on her life and career.

But this year’s homecoming holds special significance for the proud alumna who earned her master’s in social work two decades ago and has dedicated herself to improving the lives of children and families ever since. 

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Why did you choose É«ÇéÊÓƵ for your master’s in social work? 

I always wanted to help, especially in finding a way to help children. After I got my dual bachelor’s in psychology and Spanish, I started working at the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency in what was then called the Children’s Bureau. I did not know much about social work or child welfare when I started, but I quickly grew to love the work. I decided to get my MSW (Master of Social Work) from É«ÇéÊÓƵ because of its partnership with the county’s Title IV-E program. I planned on continuing my career in child welfare, so the program was a perfect fit. 

How did É«ÇéÊÓƵ prepare you for your new role as deputy chief administrative officer? 

I worked in child welfare for a couple of years before returning for my MSW. But, during my program at É«ÇéÊÓƵ, I found that combining theory, research, and applied learning helped me tremendously. I felt so much more confident in my assessments and my ability to help children and families, and it sparked a love for research and data.

What is something unexpected you gained from your É«ÇéÊÓƵ experience? 

I expected to stay in child welfare for a while, thinking I’d eventually become a therapist. However, when I entered my field internship experiences, I quickly discovered that it was not my passion. I liked the clinical work experiences but was very drawn to macro-level social work. That is a big part of how I ended up in the role I am in today. I love influencing policy, funding, and environmental factors that can significantly impact our community. 

Is there something you’re most proud of as an É«ÇéÊÓƵ alumna? 

I am most proud of the opportunity I have now to partner with É«ÇéÊÓƵ’s College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) on the (LWCIL). This is the nation's first academic Health and Human Services Department that incorporates human services into its partnership. 

The É«ÇéÊÓƵ-LWCIL partnership started two years ago. What’s happened since? 

We’ve already seen the benefits of improving the internship and hiring process for É«ÇéÊÓƵ students and graduates while increasing research opportunities between the county and É«ÇéÊÓƵ-CHHS. One of our key priorities is workforce development, which includes developing innovative roles for community health workers to ensure we adapt to San Diego’s San Diego’s diverse and expanding needs. 

What advice would you offer to current É«ÇéÊÓƵ-CHHS students?  

Take the time to nurture your relationships with your classmates — many friendships will last. The professors and agencies/organizations that you meet throughout your studies will also be incredibly helpful to you as you move through your career. 

Also, enjoy homecoming. You never know when you’ll be back celebrating your journey and success.