Oliver Salter

My name is Oliver Salter. I’m a Montgomery County, Maryland, native and have lived here my whole life, aside from a brief two-year stint in California.

It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. At Montgomery College, I discovered the science of behavioral health. That path eventually led me to the social work program at UMBC at the Universities at Shady Grove.

I had heard great things about UMBC’s social work program, and as someone from the area, I had always known about USG. I even took college classes here during my senior year of high school, so staying local while pursuing such a strong academic opportunity just made sense.

Social work is everything I had hoped it would be. Its core values deeply resonate with me, including practicing embodied empathy, building meaningful relationships, and advocating for vulnerable populations. As I learned these values, I realized how closely they aligned with my own. My decision to pursue social work was further validated through my field placement with the Pre-K/Head Start program in Montgomery County Public Schools, where I was able to put these values into practice by working with children and their families. My professors have also been caring and committed to both my academic and personal development. I made it a point to say yes to every opportunity that came my way. 

During my time at USG, I joined the Peer Advisory Team, participated in the Communication Fellows program through the Macklin Center for Academic & Leadership Success, served on the NASW Student-Faculty Liaison Committee for Advocacy Day, and became president of the Social Work Student Association. These experiences helped me grow as a leader while strengthening my organizational and communication skills. One experience, a public speaking workshop hosted by the Macklin Center, helped me refine my presentation skills and prepared me to give speeches and facilitate group discussions.

I graduated in May 2026 and am now pursuing my Master of Social Work through the University of Maryland School of Social Work at USG in the 36-credit Hybrid Advanced Standing program, where I'll attend classes twice a week. As part of my graduate practicum at Dialectical Behavior Therapy Maryland, I’ll work one-on-one with clients and in group settings, gaining direct clinical experience with a specialization in dialectical behavior therapy. I’ll also have opportunities to deepen my experience with group work and specific therapy approaches. After earning my master's degree, I plan to obtain my clinical license and work in clinical practice for several years before eventually transitioning into policy work to help create social change on a broader scale.

If you're considering studying at USG, take the leap and join us. If you're looking for a personal learning environment with faculty and staff who are invested in your success, USG is the place to be!