Being Honest on Social Media

Dear Students:

Some students and former students have misrepresented themselves on Facebook and other social media by saying they are studying in the United States or for an American university in Haiti. Some students have also represented themselves as clinical social workers, even though they only a first or second year student in the BSW program.

Sometimes it seems like a good idea to present yourself as more successful than you are or that you are attending a well-respected or well-known university. But it's important to be honest. This is an ethical issue. You can be proud of your studies at ETS; you don't need to pretend that ETS is a foreign university or that you are getting a degree from a foreign university. It's okay to be honest and to say that you are a social work student and to be honest and say that ETS is an institute in Haiti which is in the process of recognition.

Claiming to attend a university that's part of the University of Florida, Michigan, or New York is not just dishonest, it devalues the good work that you are doing in Haiti. You don't need to be affiliated with foreigners or a non-Haitian university to have legitimacy. A good reputation and the legitimacy of your education comes from your own behavior. When people see that your are ethical, that you are competent, and that you are able to engage in effective social work practice, you will earn their respect.

We know this is difficult to hear, but we hope that you will take it seriously. And most of all, be proud of who you are and what you are doing. Celebrate the fact that we are working together to improve social work and social service delivery in Haiti. Together we can show that Haitians can and should lead human services organizations and social welfare agencies in Haiti. Together we can raise up a new generation of ethical, committed, competent Haitian social workers!

Yours in solidarity,

Profs. Kolbe, Puccio, Campbell, and Balistra

ETS students at the Haitian Studies Association conference

Marie Bettie Pierre

Marie Bettie Pierre

 From November 7th-9th, four ETS students attended the 25th Annual Haitian Studies Association conference. Marie Bettie Pierre presented her research on adolescent pregnancy in the post-earthquake context. The conference took place at the Karibe hotel in Petionville.

To the right, you can see a couple of photos of Ms. Pierre presenting her work. 


In addition to Marie Bettie, Enstiti Travay Sosyal held a contest to send additional students to the conference. We held a contest where students were asked what they thought the top priority for research on Haiti should be. Three students won the contest, Chadson Pierre, Bernard Paul Evans, and Louiceus Ozias. They are pictured together below.

Left to Right: Bernard Paul Evans, Chadson Pierre, and Louiceus Ozias

Congratulations to all four students who attended the conference. ETS is looking forward to providing more professional development and research opportunities in the future. Well done!