From the inaugural class of the Kent State Bachelor of Social Work program, Hailey Dobbs embodies the drive to serve, uplift and empower others.
For Hailey Dobbs, helping others isn’t just a career choice – it’s personal. A member of the first class to earn a Bachelor of Social Work from the Kent State University at Tuscarawas in May of 2025, Dobbs has turned her own life experiences into a calling to serve vulnerable families and children.
Growing up, Dobbs’ life was anything but typical. With a father in the U.S. Army, she moved frequently from base to base, never staying in one place long enough to build lifelong childhood friendships. She also faced the added challenge of severe hearing loss in her right ear, undergoing multiple surgeries beginning while in kindergarten.
“I learned early on how to advocate for myself,” Dobbs said. “Because we moved so much, I also had to learn how to be outgoing and make new friends. Most kids had friends they’d grown up with, and I was starting fresh every couple of years.”
After taking time off following high school, Dobbs decided to attend Kent State Tuscarawas at the age of 21, drawn to the campus’s close-knit community and proximity to home. “I could stay with my pets, and I had support to care for them during classes,” she said. “It felt like the right fit.”
During her studies, Dobbs helped launch a Social Work Club, a summer project that challenged her to think creatively about connecting students across multiple regional campuses. “Because of the hybrid nature of our classes, we met students via Zoom from other campuses,” she explained. “As future social workers, we’re not in the habit of excluding people, so I wanted to make sure everyone felt welcome.”
Though social work was her fifth major, Dobbs found her purpose through the support of Kent State’s faculty and staff. “The professors helped me find my voice, and my academic advisors guided me through all the changes as I figured out my path,” she said.
An academic advisor also encouraged her to apply for a student worker position on campus, something she hadn’t considered before.
“That job became such a great experience,” Dobbs said. “It provided extra income, worked around my classes and helped me build lasting friendships and connections.”
Now a social service worker in the intake unit for children’s protective services at Job and Family Services (JFS) in New Philadelphia, Ohio, Dobbs is preparing to take the licensure exam to become a licensed social worker. Her motivation is deeply rooted in empathy and advocacy.
“I want to give back to other families with children and youth who may face challenges,” she said. “Social work gives me the opportunity to advocate for vulnerable and oppressed individuals and communities.”
From overcoming personal obstacles to helping others navigate their own, Dobbs embodies the compassion and perseverance that define Kent State Tuscarawas graduates.
The Kent State College of Applied and Technical Studies’ (CATS) Bachelor of Social Work degree program focuses on rural social work, preparing students to serve small towns and rural communities and is housed on the Ashtabula, Salem and Tuscarawas campuses. The program meets a growing need in our region, and in rural communities in general, for the development of skilled and licensed social work and mental health professionals.
Through the program, students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to help people and communities thrive. With a focus on rural social work, students like Dobbs gain real-world experience, explore specialties like mental health, addiction and trauma care and may qualify for Advanced Standing in MSW programs, helping them earn a master’s degree in half the time.
To learn more about the Kent State CATS Bachelor of Social Work, please visit www.kent.edu/cats/bsw or https://catalog.kent.edu/colleges/ap/social-work-bsw/.