By Olivia Bishop 

The School of Social Work recently welcomed new faculty members: Aynsley Scheffert, Peggy Trosper, and Sharaine Webster. Aynsley Scheffert, Ph.D., an assistant professor, has had an extensive career ranging from clinical work to teaching, administration and curriculum planning, along with research and advocacy. Peggy Trosper, a clinical assistant professor is returning to the University of Iowa after earning both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at the university before beginning her career in continuing education programs and practicum course administration. Lastly, Sharaine Webster, a clinical assistant professor, worked previously as an adjunct instructor. Along with running her own private practice, Webster is ready to combine her passions for clinical work and teaching.  

Learn more about these three new faculty members’ passions and goals through this series of questions.

To start off, can you tell me what your career entailed before joining the School of Social Work faculty? 

Aynsley: Initially, I worked in clinical practice, gaining valuable experiences working in hospitals, community health, therapy settings, and schools. When the COVID-19 pandemic began, I was a full-time doctoral student and research assistant. Balancing the academic and clinical aspects of my work became a lot to balance. In 2021, I fully transitioned into the academic side and took a position as the BSW program director and tenure-track professor at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. I held that position until moving to Iowa this fall. During my time at Bethel, I was also part of the leadership team that launched the MSW program. That role provided me with valuable experience in teaching, curriculum, and course design, as well as leadership and administration.

Peggy: Most recently, I served as an instructor and continuing education coordinator at the University of Alabama School of Social Work in Tuscaloosa. I spent six years there, teaching as an instructor and building their continuing education program. I enjoyed managing the administrative aspects as well as teaching. 

Sharaine: I primarily worked in private practice as a licensed social worker specializing in clinical work. For the past three years, I have successfully run my own practice in the Johnston/Des Moines area. During this time, I also served as a part-time adjunct. When a full-time position opportunity at the University of Iowa arose, I seized it! 

What are you looking forward to, or hope to accomplish in your new role? 

Aynsley: One of the reasons I pursued my PhD is my passion for research and the opportunity to have a voice in shaping the broader discussions around clinical practice, marginalized populations, and advocacy. In my current role, I am supported in my research and have dedicated time to focus on it. Teaching fewer classes allows me to invest more time and thought into my teaching. I’m looking forward to my new balance, where I can give more focus to my students while also making progress on my research, with the support of the program. 

Peggy: I work out of the Des Moines campus and look forward to supporting the students there, many of whom are first-generation and non-traditional like I was. I can relate to their experiences, as many have work experience and are returning to education. I also bring a unique perspective from my time at the University of Alabama, and I’m excited to share insights that I’ve learned along the way that could help the program here at the University of Iowa.

Sharaine: Those who know me personally would describe me as a perfectionist—I strive to excel in my work and perform it to the best of my ability. Since 2018, I’ve worked as an adjunct instructor on and off, and I’m excited to continue growing and improving as an educator. With a background in music and art, I’m eager to integrate these disciplines into my teaching. My goal is for students to leave my classroom with a clear understanding of what it means to be a practitioner in the real world. 

Peggy, you’ve been teaching a few classes and practicum courses this semester. Please share what those entail and how they have been going so far. 

Peggy: I’m teaching practice and program evaluation, as well as a seminar section where students are working on their practicum. It’s great to get to work closely with the students, address any concerns, and help resolve issues as they arise. In addition to these classes, I also serve as a faculty liaison, assisting a few students with their specific practicum placements. And so far, everything is going well! 

Sharaine, you’re now a board member with NASW (National Association of Social Workers); tell us about your experience.  

Sharaine: Serving on boards at both the state and national levels has provided me with valuable insight and experience. It has helped me identify the key information that clinicians, students, and social workers need. Additionally, I serve on several committees, where I help organize trainings, ensuring they feature skilled presenters, expert insights, and relevant topics that address current issues in the field. Our most recent training, focused on traditional Chinese medicine, was incredibly popular. 

And Aynsley, you recently had research published in September 2024, please tell us about it.  

Aynsley: I had a paper published on the use of decisional balance interventions for a project called Choices Teen, which aims to reduce substance-exposed pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases in young women involved in the criminal justice system. Through conversations with these young women, we gained insight into their lived experiences, decision-making processes, and the information that could inform future prevention interventions. This paper has been four years in the making, so I’m thrilled to finally see it published.

Lastly, what is your advice to students pursuing the Iowa MSW program and a career in social work? 

Aynsley: When I was deciding on what discipline to go into, whether it would be counseling, psychology, or social work, what drew me toward social work was the versatility of the field. A social work license can open doors to a wide range of opportunities, some of which you might not expect. So, keep an open mind, social work can take you in many different directions and even help you discover a passion you have that you had no idea existed before. 

Peggy: One thing I did that I always encourage students now to do is to seek out those professors and instructors who have similar research interests as their own. That and being able to approach the faculty in general was something important to me. It is important to remember that faculty are here to support students, and we recognize that you could be one of our colleagues one day. So, don’t hesitate to approach faculty and make the most of the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience from them. 

Sharaine: Approach learning with an open mind. Many students in the Des Moines area are considered nontraditional and already juggle full lives. It’s essential to adapt and cultivate resilience throughout the journey of earning a degree and entering the field of social work. Another key point is not to feel intimidated by the faculty. As part of the team here, I can confidently say we deeply care about our students and want them to succeed. We engage with students every day, and my door is always open. We strive to foster an open, supportive dynamic and are here to help one another thrive.