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West Salem School District social worker Sue Rickers loves what she does for a job; in fact, she loves it so much that she is going back to school herself to further her expertise in the field.

But her decision to become a full-time student in the University of Minnesota’s doctoral program was not an easy one because it also meant giving up her job in West Salem.

“I’ve enjoyed working in West Salem,” Rickers said. “It has been wonderful to be a part of a school district that provides an excellent education. I continue to be impressed by the faculty and staff here.

“The best advice I was ever given is to always make decisions based on what is in the best interest of students. I continue to use that as my compass and I believe the staff and faculty of West Salem do the same.”

High school guidance counselor Lynne Brown, who worked closely with Rickers, describes her as a inspiring and dedicated professional.

“I’m having a hard time imagining what next year will be without Sue’s humor or wisdom. It is so easy to understand how completing her doctorate is part of her life’s goal because she has taught me so much in the last four years,” said Brown.

“When Sue and I talk about students or their family dynamics, she always has this great perspective on how and why a person may be struggling, either personably or academically. We have run academic success groups together and I found it so easy to work with her because she challenges the students with ideas that didn’t cross my mind. And she makes me laugh. I will selfishly miss her, but I truly believe that she will use her gifts to teach other potential social workers to achieve their best.”

After four years working as West Salem’s social worker, Rickers will begin the next four-year segment of her life when U of M classes begin Sept. 2. The four years include two years of coursework, one year of exams and a final year for a dissertation. After all of that, she hopes to have her Ph.D. in social work with the goal of teaching in a college or small university.

“But I think the opportunities for other things will present themselves along the way and I’ll be open to ideas,” said Rickers.

In addition to going to class, she will work 20 hours a week at the university on an evaluation of a character development program.

“I’m excited about this because I’ll be able to maintain some contact with schools, students and families. I was afraid I’d lose all school connection when I started back at the U,” she added.

Rickers, who originally hails from the town of Worthington in southwestern Minnesota, completed her undergraduate degree in anthropology at the University of Minnesota and then took a job in a mental health center in Portland, Ore. There, a supervisor’s example inspired Rickers to head back to the University of Minnesota for a master’s degree in social work herself.

After completing her master’s, she spent the next nine years in Grand Rapids, Minn., working first in a medical/clinical setting and later as a school social worker in a district of fewer than 400 students.

“After nine gruelingly long and cold winters, I decided to move south and landed here,” Rickers said.

The decision to quit her West Salem job and take on the challenge of completing a Ph.D. has been at least a year in the making.

“I started seriously looking at schools and programs last July. It has been a full year of visiting schools, taking (graduate school entrance exams), applying, seeking an assistantship and now selling my house and moving,” said Rickers. “I’ve probably always thought about doing a Ph.D. A Ph.D. is a highly focused program, and working as a school social worker has given me the topical focus I need. I’d like to do my dissertation on youth and spirituality. I’m very interested in the development of spirituality in youth. How do youth find a sense of themselves when they are always plugged in and tuned into outside stimulus?”

Although her academic plate will be full, Rickers is an outdoor enthusiast who intends to make some time for her favorite activities, mostly non-motorized sports like hiking, biking, camping, gardening and canoeing.

And, of course, some time will be spent reflecting on the job and people she leaves behind in West Salem.

“I will very much miss working with kids on a daily basis. It has been such a great opportunity for me,” she added. “I have loved the enthusiasm of the elementary kids, the smiles when they see you. The middle school student presents the challenge of never knowing quite what you’ll get. At the high school I appreciate being able to have more of an adult conversation about the reality of circumstances and decisions.

“It is humbling when I stop to think about the students who have trusted me with sometimes difficult and sad times in their lives. It is equally gratifying when students stop in to tell me about their accomplishments and successes.”