So Lan Liang, LCSW, believes that experiential learning can be a transformative experience in helping students discover their passions, develop expertise and find direction.
As the Manager of the CUNY Service Corps, a program that mobilizes students to work on projects that have a strong social impact, Ms. Liang helps students become successful not only as learners, but also as citizens. In partnership with 120+ non-profit agencies in the fields of health, education, sustainability and economic development, students gain real-world work experience and increase their transferable skills, leadership, confidence, knowledge of social issues and the landscape of community-based organization while making a meaningful difference through service and helping others.
With 300+ graduates since 2013, the program proudly aims to promote the building blocks of professionalism and character. Students whose discipline and hard work are driven by a powerful why are more likely to persist and succeed. They begin to organize their energies by a longing for a more humane world and allow their heart and commitment to social justice to be both the compass and engine that drive their actions. Alumni of this one year intensive program demonstrate an increased maturity and recognition that this is just the beginning of a life-long commitment to becoming citizens of their communities.
Ms. Liang, in the capacity as a bilingual licensed clinical social worker and a Program Director, has spent nearly two decades fostering the well-being of our most underserved communities, including children, at-risk families, new immigrants, the unemployed, minority and women businesses. She brings to the Professional Development Center a wealth of knowledge in best practices in non-profit management, workforce development, social work field education/ higher education, economic development, minority and community health.
Ms. Liang is also the campus adviser for the US Department of State's Fulbright Program, the faculty adviser to the Service Corps Club and field supervisor for Master of Social Work students. She is an active member of the Board of Directors for the Association of Asian American Yale Alumni. So Lan had received recognition of excellence from the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the American Red Cross and the U.S. Census Bureau.She expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be involved with the Service Corps and to continue pursuing her life-long commitment to community service, social justice and education.
M.S.W. in Social Enterprise Administration — Columbia University
B.A. in History and East Asian Studies — Yale University
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Seminar in Field Instruction (SIFI)