Liane Lussier Smith, MSW, LCSW earned her Bachelor of Science in HDFS from UConn with a focus in Counseling and Services in 2002. Taking advantage of multiple internships and the variety of courses within the HDFS program set the stage for learning about new career opportunities. After obtaining her undergraduate degree, Liane worked in early childhood education and special education while working toward a master’s in social work. Liane graduated from UConn School of Social Work in 2007 and was hired as a psychiatric social worker for a child and adolescent outpatient clinic, providing individual and family therapy and reviving the clinic’s outpatient group therapy program. Subsequently, Liane acquired her LCSW and took on leadership roles in supervising and overseeing the group therapy and trauma services programs. During this time, Liane also began hosting social work interns from multiple universities as a practicum instructor – an activity she continued in future positions with other agencies.
Liane has over 15 years of experience working with children, youth, and families in a variety of settings, including clinical, school-based services, community programs, and Youth Service Bureaus. In addition to working in clinical services, Liane had the privilege of running a Teen Center, where she implemented various after school and summer programs aimed at helping young people learn about community service opportunities, prosocial development, and reducing at risk behaviors. She also ran groups at the center and local schools and became involved in other community initiatives through youth outreach efforts, including community gardens, Senior Center programs, the SW Food Alliance, and the local Hunger Action Team. Liane also worked for a second Youth Service Bureau, where she worked with students in an alternative high school program and joined the Juvenile Review Board, providing intake assessments and short-term treatment as part of the community-based diversion program. For the past ten years, Liane has also been an adjunct instructor for the UConn School of Social Work, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses. Throughout her career, Liane has held multiple roles focused on supporting individuals’ mental health, wellness, varying abilities and disabilities, promoting social justice, and utilizing a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach.
Liane’s experience as a practicum instructor and adjunct instructor led her to join the Practicum Education Department at UConn School of Social Work full time, first as a Placement Coordinator and now as Director. She leads a team committed to supporting students’ practicum experiences as the signature pedagogy of social work education and works closely with faculty and agency partners in Connecticut and beyond. Liane has a passion for working with students and is grateful for the opportunity to both witness and support their journey in becoming future social work practitioners. Liane is also grateful for the mentors who helped her get to where she is today and, most importantly, for the social worker mentor who saw things in her she could not see and gave her a nudge into higher education. While continuing to reach new professional goals and pursuing the commitment to life-long learning as a social worker, Liane is proud to be a part of the UConn community that helped shape her professional career and will strive to empower students to see their own strengths and find their true calling.