The Mark Brandt Memorial Fund for Social Work

Field placements are a cornerstone of social work education and a powerful reflection of our mission to serve. At the School of Social Work, students devote up to 900 hours over 32 weeks to immersive learning in community-based agencies. This demanding experience prepares them to lead with confidence and compassion—but it often brings serious financial strain.

Thanks to the generosity of the late Mark Brandt (’86, Finance) and the vision of his lifelong friend Mary Leyendecker, the School has established the Mark Brandt Memorial Fund for Social Work. Seeded with a $1 million gift from Mark’s estate, this endowed fund provides critical support to students during their placements: helping cover tuition, living expenses, and other essential needs so they can stay focused on learning and serving.

“Field education is the heart of applied social work training, but it comes with serious financial strain for too many students. They’re often left choosing between their education and covering basic needs. The Brandt gift helps change that.” said Dean Ben Lough.

Many alumni know this challenge well: balancing unpaid internships, coursework, jobs, and family responsibilities. Meanwhile, field sites—often nonprofits with tight budgets—rely on social work interns to help meet community needs.

“As field education directors, Lindsey Trout and I are in many spaces with other internship program directors. Lindsey is on the board of Council on Social Work Education, and I am on the board of The Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors and we both are members of the Illinois Field Director Consortium. We have witnessed firsthand in our own student population and have heard testimony from across the nation about how hard students are working to create a work life balance between family, school, and their needs for employment. Gone are the days when a student can just be a student,” said Sherrie Faulkner, Director of BSW Field Education

By easing the financial burden, the Brandt Fund empowers students to fully invest in their education and their impact.

Its effect is already visible:

“Because of the generosity of the Mark Brandt Memorial Fund, I was able to reduce my student loan burden. I’m currently interning at a middle school, working multiple jobs, and taking classes—it’s been the hardest experience of my life. But this support reminded me that I’m not alone.” Chole, MSW ‘25

“This scholarship allowed me to better serve my fellow students through my internship at Disability Resources and Educational Services. It strengthens my commitment to advocating for students with disabilities.” Wyatt, BSW ‘25

“The Mark Brandt Memorial Fund has helped cover my education and living expenses, allowing me to focus on my studies and field placement. I’m incredibly grateful for this support, especially given the financial challenges of pursuing social work, where internships are often unpaid. Recognizing this disparity is meaningful and gives hope that future social workers will receive the support they need. Thank you for investing in my education and in the future of our profession.” Jenna, MSW ‘25

These stories speak to the fund’s lasting impact. The Mark Brandt Memorial Fund ensures that financial need won’t stand in the way of passion, purpose, or professional growth, all the while strengthening the communities our students serve.

If you would like to learn more about ways to support students in field placements, please contact Myles Roosevelt.