Bystander to Advocate

Meet Your Instructors

Jessica J. Mitchell, MA, LMSW Jessica J. Mitchell received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology; a Master of Arts in Public Policy, and a Master of Social Work from Stony Brook University. After graduating with her Master of Arts in Public Policy, Ms. Mitchell worked as a caseworker, and later a supervisor, in foster care at SCO Family of Services. During that time she worked with families dealing with hunger, homelessness, joblessness, and oftentimes, the criminal justice system. She saw how the policies and programs put in place by governmental bureaucracy were costly and doing little to help children and families. This disconnect between actual needs and service provision is what ultimately led Ms. Mitchell to pursue a degree in social work. While completing her social work degree, Ms. Mitchell interned in the district office of Congressman Steve Israel. Upon graduating she accepted a position as a field organizer on Congressman Israel’s re-election campaign. Ms. Mitchell went on to work for the Nassau County Democratic Committee, the Long Beach Democratic Committee, and the New York State Democratic Committee. Ms. Mitchell has experience working on campaigns ranging from local water commissioner, judicial, city council and county legislative, congressional, and gubernatorial races. Ms. Mitchell has experience in field, finance & fundraising, and managing campaigns for elected office. Additionally, Ms. Mitchell served in government as a Chief of Staff to a Long Island Legislator. During this time, she worked on numerous policy issues important to social workers. She serves as a Clinical Assistant Professor at Stony Brook University, School of Social Welfare teaching courses at the BSW and MSW level, including, policy, legislative advocacy, law and social change, and political social work. Ms. Mitchell supervises several social work students each year who are completing their internships at elected officials offices and on political campaigns. Ms. Mitchell is currently working with a social work intern on hosting and producing a weekly podcast called Social Action Briefing. Ms. Mitchell serves as the Chair of the NASW-NYS Political Action for Candidate Election committee; is serving her second term as a Delegate to the NASW National Delegate Assembly; and is the past Nassau Division Director for NASW-NYS. Ms. Mitchell was the NASW-NYS 2020 Doctoral Student of the Year, the NASW-NYS 2022 Champion of Social Justice, and is a recipient of the 2022 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching. Interviewed by Pauline Walfisch, LCSW-R, PMH-C & Stacy Pellettieri, LCSW-R