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Andrea Predl, a graduate of UCF’s Bachelor of Social Work program, was named the state’s 2009 Student Social Worker of the Year at the National Association of Social Workers - Florida Chapter’s annual conference.

This is the fourth time  in six years a student of the UCF College of Health and Public Affairs has won this award.

“Energetic, highly organized, intelligent, resourceful, creative and reliable come to mind in describing Andrea,” said Robin Kohn, Predl’s faculty adviser and coordinator of the B.S.W. program. “She also has a sincere interest and commitment to the social work profession, always upholding our code of ethics and demonstrating the highest of integrity.”

Predl began the social work program in fall 2007 and quickly proved to be an outstanding student with exceptional leadership skills. She served as co-chair of the B.S.W. Student Association, recruiting students to become involved and coordinating a number of community and school events and fund raisers. This year, she served as the B.S.W. state representative to NASW-FL.

In the community, Predl has volunteered for many years with the Girl Scouts, at one point serving as a trainer of troop leaders. In recent years, she has volunteered as supervisor of the Seniors First Meals on Wheels program in Orlando. In this role, she has supervised and trained 75 volunteers, worked extensively with clients and maintained the route books for 15 drivers. She has since become a paid employee with the nonprofit.

“Andrea has developed a passion for working with older adult populations,” Kohn remarked.

Before coming to UCF, Predl spent eight years in the Navy as an aviation administrator, earning the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. She completed the B.S.W. program in May 2009 and will enter in the school’s M.S.W. program this fall.

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