PhD News

Jay Kayser, Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Psychology, defended his dissertation entitled “Social Isolation, Loneliness, and Cognitive Function: Correlates, Consequences, and Causes in Older Adults.” Kayser has accepted an Assistant Professor of Social Work position at the University of Iowa.

E.B. Gross, Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Psychology, defended their dissertation entitled “‘I Have Worked Hard to Be Someone My Child Can Trust’: Perceptions of Parental Support Among Trans and Gender-Expansive Young Adults and their Parents.” Gross has accepted a social work faculty position at Eastern Michigan University.

Charles Williams II, Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Sociology, defended his dissertation entitled “Healing Balm: Black Women, Black Churches, and Du Boisian Pathways to Health Equity.” Williams has accepted a tenure-track position at the University of Texas at Arlington.

PhD student Sunghyun Hong’s research on the methods for evaluating social skills in young children was cited in Phys.org. Hong’s findings highlight the need for more culturally responsive approaches to evaluating children’s social skills as the nation’s child population becomes increasingly diverse. 

“As we work to understand children’s development, it’s important that our assessment tools recognize the many ways social competence is expressed across families and communities,” Hong said.

The IMPACT Awards honor outstanding students, faculty, staff and student organizations who are committed to uplifting our community and advancing the School’s mission. The awards are presented annually by the School’s Flourish Office.

Student IMPACT Award: PhD Student Nico Juárez

Congratulations to the following PhD students on their recently received honors:

PhD student Brittney Barros is featured in the PBS documentary “Rebecoming Me,” which profiles five individuals who grew up in Colorado’s foster care system. The film won a 2025 Heartland Emmy Award.  

Brittani Parham, Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Psychology, has successfully defended her dissertation entitled "Compounded Disadvantage: Exploring the Intersection of Race, Sex, and Child Welfare in Juvenile Justice." Her committee included Matthew Smith (co-chair), Joseph Ryan and Camille Quinn. Parham is currently exploring job market opportunities in social work or juvenile justice policy.

So’Phelia Morrow, Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Sociology, has successfully defended her dissertation entitled has successfully defended "Killing Us Softly: Intimate Partner Violence and The Forced Martyrdom of Black Women."  Her committee included Terri Friedline (co-chair) and Rich Tolman. Morrow has accepted an assistant professor of social work position at Wayne State University.

Professor Matthew Smith has received the 2025 DSO Faculty Award. Awarded by the Doctoral Student Organization, this award honors a faculty mentor who has demonstrated exceptional commitment to mentoring, developing and supporting doctoral students.

Smith is also the School's Associate Dean of Research.