Dr. Jackie Puckett Named S.C. Social Work Educator Of The Year

South Carolina’s Social Work Educator of the Year resides at Limestone College.

During the recent 2019 National Association of Social Workers-South Carolina Chapter Annual Symposium, Limestone College Associate Dean and Director of Social Work Development Jackie Puckett was recognized as the Social Work Educator of the Year.

Puckett earned his Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of Virginia at Wise and his Master of Science In Social Work from the University of Tennessee.

At the symposium held March 25-27 in Columbia, social workers from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and other areas were on hand to earn continuing education units toward social work licensure and to interact with fellow social work students and professionals.

“Jackie helps to build up fellow social workers and even counselors who work for the College,” said Limestone Social Work Preceptor Dr. Aubrey Sejuit. “He is collaborative in nature and there is never fear of asking questions. He cares. He makes Limestone College a better place – simply by his presence. We are all so proud to work with such a dedicated and incredible person.

“Much of what people know about Jackie is his many accolades and his desire to train future social workers,” she continued. “He embodies what it means to be a Social Work educator. Jackie is a supportive leader who goes out of his way to educate and train his colleagues. He wants to see everyone on his team succeed.” 

The Social Work Educator of the Year award criteria includes being a National Association of Social Workers member who reflects ethics of the social work field; full-time faculty member of a college, department, school, or program of social work; personal and professional integration of experience and education; serves as a role model for students pursuing degrees in social work; advocates on behalf of social workers and clients served; contributor to the knowledge of social work and the public in his or her own areas of expertise; and a person who enhances the relationship between social work practice, research and education. The honor recognizes the best Social Work educator throughout South Carolina.

Puckett started his career at Limestone in 2000, coming from a long career in social work in the fields of Aging, Mental Health, and Program Development. In 1975, he became the youngest federal program director in the United States at that time (at the age of 23) when he became Program Director of Congregated Meals for Mountain Empire Older Citizens.

He served as the Clinical Director for the Emergency Psychiatry Services/Mobile Crisis Program in Charleston from 1987 to 2006 and co-authored the best-selling clinical text, “Comprehensive Emergency Mental Health Care.”

Puckett is the winner of teaching awards at Virginia Intermont College, Medical University of South Carolina, and Limestone College where he has twice been the recipient of the Fullerton Award for Excellence in Teaching. Through his hard work and dedication, the Bachelor of Social Work is the second largest degree program that Limestone currently offers.

Accompanying photo: Puckett (left) receiving his Educator of the Year award.