Student Spotlight: Delius Norman

Delius Norman on a stairwell in front of a crowd turning to the camera smiling and giving a thumb's up

Class Year: May 2025

Degree Program: MSW On-Campus

Concentration: Mental Health with Adults

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio

Summer Field Placement/InternshipCleveland Leadership Center in Cleveland, Ohio

Explain what you're doing at your field placement/internship this summer.

I have been assisting the Cleveland Leadership Center with planning, preparing and executing the success of their programs. So far, I have been heavily involved with the Campus Cleveland program, which aims to engage young adults that are in college or who have recently graduated, to the city of Cleveland entirely. I have also been granted the opportunity to learn the obstacles of a nonprofit organization by sitting in board meetings, staff meetings and even entering and analyzing data for their board committees!

How did you find this opportunity?

A colleague referred me to the summer internship program, offered by The Cleveland Foundation.

What has been the best part so far?

As a native of Cleveland, it has been great to see the city in a different light. 

What are you looking to get out of this experience?

I want to understand the concepts of a nonprofit and the development of programming.

What's your best piece of advice for students who might be looking for a similar opportunity?

Advocate for the experience that you are seeking! An internship is meant for growth in a desired area; therefore, an organization should prioritize your learning experience. 

How did CWRU and the Mandel School prepare you for this opportunity?

As a social work student, I have developed a lens that drives my work for organizations to strive for specific goals, such as increasing DEI initiatives or their knowledge about social service/justice.