A United States Marine Corps Veteran, and with a past in marketing, Tommy Pennington brings a rich history of experience to Family Service. After being laid off in 2014, Tommy had a few part-time jobs. In lieu of his employment, Tommy found that the work he was completing was not fulfilling what he hoped for in a career. In 2015, Tommy decided to go back to school.
In May 2017, Tommy earnedan Associates of Applied Science in Human Services from Virginia Western Community College. After graduating, Tommy was then accepted into the Bachelor of Social Work program at Radford University in August of that same year.
The BSW program prepares generalist social work professionals who are capable of skillful assessment and interventions at the micro, mezzo, and macro-levels. The curriculum includes courses in human behavior and the social environment, research, social welfare policies and services, direct practice, field instruction, child welfare, gerontology, and crisis intervention.
In addition, Tommy is an active member of the Radford University chapter of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Tommy is set to graduate from Radford on May 11, 2019.
When Tommy first went back to school, both Tommy and his husband went through a nine week Foster Parent training course through the Department of Social Services in Roanoke City. It was during the Foster Care training that Tommy decided he wanted to become a social worker.
His favorite quote comes from Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
