What if social work education could reach students wherever they are—whether they’re caring for aging parents in a remote Indigenous community, working full-time in a northern town, or juggling family responsibilities hundreds of miles from the nearest university campus?
Dr. Sasha Kondrashov from Thompson Rivers University have spent nearly two decades answering that question, developing an innovative “on/off-the-ground cohort model” that’s transforming how we think about accessible social work education. Dr. Juliana West brings a wealth of teaching and social work practice knowledge in helping to shape the on/off the ground curriculum.
From Inspiration to Innovation
The journey began 20 years ago at the University of Manitoba, where both professors worked with Indigenous students traveling from remote northern and rural communities to access social work education. Witnessing their commitment and the barriers they faced sparked something profound.
“The roots of the program come actually from students,” Dr. Kondrashov explains. “Working with communities who live in remote and northern communities—the desire to learn and the limited opportunities to be there—it was something which I was grateful to be able to be part of, but also to continue to make sure students have access from anywhere.”
Beyond Traditional Online Learning
This isn’t your typical online education model. While most distance learning happens through pre-recorded lectures or independent study, the on/off-the-ground approach creates something revolutionary: synchronous learning communities where students support each other in real-time, regardless of location.
Picture this: A student caring for grandparents at home can join live lectures via Zoom. Someone attending a hospital appointment can still participate in class discussions. Students have the flexibility to attend in-person when possible while maintaining connection to their cohort when life demands otherwise.
A Week That Changed Everything
In their presentation, the professors share the story of an intensive week-long curriculum design session that brought together students, alumni, practitioners, and educators from across Canada. What started as a marathon planning session became something magical—a collaborative reimagining of social work education that put student voices at the center.
“Often students assume that courses are pre-designed and they just have to be consumers of it,” Dr. West reflects. “What came out of it was this incredible excitement where students were saying, ‘Wait a second, you mean we can be part of this design?’ And it’s like, not only can you be, but you should be.”
Real Impact, Real Students
The model addresses critical gaps in social work education accessibility. With courses scheduled across six time zones and designed to accommodate working parents, caregivers, and students in different locations, it opens doors for those who need social work education most—often the very people whose lived experiences would enrich the profession.
The curriculum itself reflects this commitment to inclusion, featuring courses like “Disrupting Power and Privilege,” “Decolonizing Practice,” and content that ensures diverse voices—including Francophone perspectives and Indigenous knowledge—are woven throughout the program.
Why This Matters Now
As universities grapple with post-pandemic changes to education delivery, the on/off-the-ground model offers a blueprint that goes beyond simply adding online options. It’s about creating genuine learning communities that bridge physical and digital spaces while centering student needs and voices.
“This is the way forward,” Dr. West emphasizes. “It’s the path that social work education very much needs to adopt to make sure we can deliver programs that meet the needs of the students we want to attract into our profession.”
Watch and Be Inspired
The full presentation reveals the passion, innovation, and collaborative spirit behind this transformative approach to social work education. Whether you’re an educator, student, administrator, or simply someone who believes education should be accessible to all, their story offers both inspiration and practical insights for creating more inclusive learning environments.
Ready to see how education can truly meet students where they are?
The future of social work education isn’t just about reaching more students—it’s about ensuring the profession reflects the diverse communities it serves. Dr. Kondrashov and Dr. West show us how to make that vision a reality.
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