Molly Cottrell, MSW
Outstanding AFI - Questions
What degree(s) do you have, and where did you earn it (them)?
MSW, 91次元
BA, Northwestern University
What is your current role at your organization?
o Deputy Director and Co-Founder
How did you come to work at your organization?
I was one of the community members who came together in 2015 to explore bringing refugee resettlement back to Missoula. In 2016, I helped co-found Soft Landing Missoula and provided a welcome for newly arrived refugees. I have been here ever since!
What do you appreciate most about supervising practicum students?
I love being reminded of the academic side of social work - the theories and the research - after so many years in the field. It helps me to step out of the day to day grind and continue to self-reflect and think critically.
What does being a social worker mean to you?
Being a social worker means giving, accepting, learning, evolving, collaborating, connecting, and making a true difference.
How does your role as a social worker relate to your role as a supervisor?
Social workers naturally guide people and help them grow, so supervision feels like just an extension of that.
What is the most important thing you hope your practicum students take with them into their careers?
I hope our practicum students take with them a curiosity about people who are different from them, a greater understanding of the human experience, and a deep commitment to the work of welcome.
What is your favorite quote that exemplifies social work?
“I always wondered why somebody doesn’t do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody.” Lily Tomlin