Nena Todorovic, Graduate Student.Snezana "Nena" Todorovic

When Snezana "Nena" Todorovic talks about her Honors thesis, she's not just discussing a topic she has gained expertise in through researching textbooks and journals.

She knows her subject matter first-hand: "Adjustment of Bosnian Refugees to American Culture." The study also has a special focus on generational differences in adjusting.

Because of her religion, in 1993 18-year-old Todorovic "was forced to leave my home, leave my hometown and leave my country in order to stay alive." She went to Serbia where she lived until she came to the United States in 2004.

What Was

"I came from an unfortunate part of the world [where] tragedy repeats in cycles throughout history - - wars over religion, wars over territory, wars over inherited hatred between people," Todorovic explained. "The personal ordeals I have been through as well as the injustice I have experienced and seen since my adolescence were the major influences that led me to choose social work as a major."

Academic Distinction

  • Graduate distinction (Summa Cum Laude)
  • Social Work Departmental Scholar (Spring 2008)
  • Commencement Marshal (Spring 2008)
  • Centennial Honors College
  • Mortar Board
  • Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society (Secretary, 2006)
  • Psi Beta Honor Society (Vice President, 2006)
  • Phi Alpha National Honor Society
  • Golden Key
  • National Association of Social Workers
  • College of Education and Human Services
  • 2007 Lincoln Academy of Illinois
  • Student Laureate Award nominee

A New Life

In her new home, "Everything was culture shock," Todorovic said. But she moved on; and she excelled.

She took ESL (English as a Second Language) courses at Black Hawk College (BHC) in Moline, earned her English proficiency certificate and enrolled in classes at BHC. Beginning in Fall 2006, Todorovic added driving to WIU-Macomb three days a week to take classes in her major - - through Western's Centennial Honors College curriculum - - in addition to working toward her associate's degree in social studies and serving as an English and social studies tutor at Black Hawk.

Working for Social Justice

Also during Fall 2006 Todorovic served an internship in U.S. Senator Barack Obama's Moline office.

"I had the privilege of personally meeting Senator Obama when he came to the Quad Cities in order to support the congressional campaigns of Phil Hare and Bruce Braley, his fellows Democrats. I met a humble, simple and down-to-earth man," Todorovic said. "His speech was full of hope for those who needed it, and his voice full of compassion for ordinary people's problems. I believe that his words of hope touched hearts of every person in the room as much as it touched mine."

"This internship taught me that politics and social work are interrelated. Similarly to social workers, staff members in Obama's office are led by the main premise of the core values of the social work profession," Todorovic said. "Implementing the value of social justice, they listen to the constituents and community leaders and try to influence the legislative body to work toward improving social conditions in general and changing social policies to benefit the clients and society as a whole."

Volunteer Activities

  • Phil Hare (D-IL) 2006 Congressional Campaign
  • Chaperone at-risk youth field trips organized by Moline (IL) COP for Kids/Moline Housing Authority
  • Viva Quad Cities
  • Interpreter for Bosnian refugees

In Spring 2008, Todorovic completed a practicum at Lutheran Social Services of Illinois in Rock Island. Her goal is to find a "position that would fulfill my dreams; the position that would allow me to work with refugees and immigrants," she said.

"It meant a lot to me to get help when I first came to the United States," Todorovic said. "Now, I would like to be a helping hand for other refugees and immigrants while they are in a process of adjusting to a new country and a new culture as well as to enable them to start a new life, leaving bad memories and experiences behind."

"Ultimately, I would like to work either with refugees, helping them adjust to the new culture, or in a place that would allow me to influence social policies and better people’s lives on a higher scale – a place like Senator Obama’s office," Todorovic added.

Todorovic has been accepted in advanced standing to a Master of Social Work degree program in the Quad Cities area, which she will begin Summer 2008 with a projected one-year completion date.