Rex Wyatt, a proud UIS alum, earned their bachelor’s degree in social work in 2018. They then went on to earn a master of social work from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2020 and plan to complete their doctorate of social work in 2027 from Simmons University.
Rex reminisces about their favorite times at UIS, which include the traditions of homecoming and being a student ambassador in the Admissions Office. They hold UIS in high esteem, mostly for its impactful professors.
Rex has had a long career in social work, working as a social worker and a counselor at various establishments. They like this career because they are able to hold space for people to process and heal. They also enjoy advocating for changes to systems and policies for inclusion and equity. They credit UIS for teaching them how to think critically, ask questions and be curious; traits that set them apart from their peers in graduate school.
“UIS gave me the foundation I needed—not just to succeed in graduate school, but to grow as a person.”
Rex Wyatt
Why UIS?
Rex Wyatt came to UIS in 2014 because they wanted to be a part of the University of Illinois system and chose the Springfield campus for its close-knit feel. Rex originally considered a career in teaching until they discovered a passion for Social Work.
They enjoyed the education courses but realized they wanted to help people in a different way. Sociology and anthropology courses helped them look at the world differently and how they wanted to show up for people in their community. With the help of their instructors, Rex was able to land a social work internship. That internship led them to work as a community health worker.
“I absolutely loved my social work classes at UIS,” Rex shared. “The fieldwork opportunities within the program were phenomenal and gave me hands-on experience that shaped my direction.”
A Campus Full of Memories
Some of Rex’s fondest memories include Homecoming Week traditions and time spent as a student ambassador in the Admissions Office. As a student ambassador, they enjoyed sharing with prospective students what makes UIS special and helping put them at ease about this new chapter in their lives.
“I loved giving campus tours, helping out with Preview Days and even driving the golf cart,” Rex said. “I got pretty skilled at walking backward during tours. I also wore the old Orion mascot costume a few times, which was a lot of fun!”
Rex was also active in Leadership for Life, serving as a mentor during their sophomore year. In Leadership for Life, they participated in volunteer projects such as tutoring at an elementary school, working with Habitat for Humanity, and supporting the Trick-or-Treat for Canned Goods food drive.
Faculty Who Made a Difference
Rex says that several professors left a lasting impact on them.
- Lynn Fisher, professor of sociology and anthropology, challenged Rex to think critically about the world.
- Martin Martsch, associate professor of counseling and social work, and Vince Flammini, instructor of counseling and social work, also made an impact. “They believed in me being able to do hard things when I didn’t always believe in myself.”
- Eric Hadley-Ives, associate professor of counseling and social work, stood out as a “great instructor.” They said that he was captivating and provided great instruction. They appreciated how his and others' courses prepared them for their first job after graduation as a Community Health Worker.
*Pictured to the left: Vincent Flammini (instructor of counseling and social work), Rex Wyatt and Martin Martsch (associate professor of counseling and social work) at graduation.
Building a Career in Social Work
Today, Rex is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) at SIU Medicine and is pursuing a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) at Simmons University.
“My long-term goal is to open my own practice working with trans and gender-diverse clients,” Rex said. “I also want to teach social work courses.”
Rex credits UIS with helping them stand out in graduate school.
“I realized during my MSW program that many of my peers weren’t as prepared as I was. UIS gave me a strong foundation—teaching me how to think critically, ask good questions, and stay curious. Those skills help me every day in my work and my studies.”
Advice for Current Students
Rex encourages UIS students to stay open-minded and embrace new experiences.
“Try new things and don’t be afraid to get a little uncomfortable—you might discover something new that you love. And don’t pressure yourself to figure out your entire career by 21. We’re always refining and rediscovering who we are, and no one has it all figured out. That’s okay!”