Field Assistant Professor Melvin Cherry, Jr., MSW has had the great opportunity to work with both BASW and MSW students in the Pitt School of Social Work. He serves as the field advisor for BASW students and as a field and academic advisor for MSW students. Melvin has taught courses in both the BASW and MSW programs, over the past seven years. At the MSW level, he places students interested in Integrated Healthcare, Mental Health, as well as Generalist placements for first-year MSW students. Melvin has taught Generalist Social Work Practice, and the Generalist Field Seminar, as well as Introduction to Social Work. He has also had the pleasure of guest lecturing in the past in the Grief and Loss and Clinical Social Work with African American Families courses. Lastly, Melvin has served as an adjunct professor at the Community College of Allegheny County for close to ten years.
Melvin has a BA in Mathematics from Saint Vincent College located in Latrobe, PA (the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers Training Camp). He holds an MSW degree with a Home and School Visitor certificate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. Melvin is also in the process of completing his EdD with a concentration in Social and Comparative Analysis in Education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.
Melvin has held various positions over the course of his professional career. At Family Links, he had a great opportunity to gain experience while serving in various positions. He served as a School Coordinator in the School-Based Prevention Department. He has also served as a School Based Outpatient Therapist in various schools and as a Mobile Therapist serving clients in the community as well as clients in the Family Links group homes. Melvin later served as an Academic Retention Specialist for students on academic probation while also serving as the advisor for the Facilitating Opportunity and Climate for Underrepresented Students (FOCUS) program at the University of Pittsburgh Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences.
Melvin shares: "My work experience has truly afforded me the opportunity to 'Meet people where they are,' as I have served vulnerable populations in a variety of environments. While operating as a visitor in peoples’ lives, I learned the value of actively listening to people to hear the words that are not spoken, how to quietly observe, think analytically, and not just state problems, but rather be active and creative in the solution of the stated problem. My experience has allowed me to guide students in field education, and future professional endeavors. When appropriate I share personal experiences and use my network to assist students with opportunities to gain a better understanding of their interested areas of Social Work. My experience also shows in the classroom, as I am able to provide real-life examples on various Social Work related topics."
Melvin has a child in the MSW program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work. He also is a baseball umpire having experience across various levels ranging from rookie ball to adults.
A few values he lives by:
- “What’s understood does not need to be explained” (His father)
- “Treat others how you want to be treated” (His mom)
- “Say what you mean, mean what you say, just don’t say it mean” (Pastor Dennison)
- “Silence is true wisdom’s best reply”
- “Survive the encounter”
- “No matter what; the goal is to always make it home to your family” (Melvin)