Faculty News

On June 12, 2025, the Regents of the University of Michigan named Professor Connie Sung the inaugural Annmarie Hawkins Research Professor in Disability Justice. This esteemed position is made possible by a generous gift from Neil and Annmarie Hawkins to support research that advances the practice-based understanding of how to effectively support people with disabilities in living, working, and thriving in community settings. This term-of-years research professorship will enable Sung to dedicate time and resources to transformative research projects focused on community-based interventions that empower individuals with disabilities and enhance their quality of life.

“Annmarie Hawkins has been a true change agent for disability justice across four decades of service and impact – as a teacher of autistic students, vocational rehabilitation counselor, board member of multiple NGOs, an elected school board member for 16 years focused on special education, and as an appointed member of the board of Community Mental Health for Central Michigan. Her advocacy and service for people with disabilities has made a significant difference for thousands of people. This research professorship in her honor has real potential to extend her impact through the work of Dr. Sung and the University of Michigan,” said Neil Hawkins on behalf of the family.

Sung, who joined the School of Social Work in January 2025, will hold the Annmarie Hawkins Research Professorship in Disability Justice for up to five years. Sung’s research focuses on community-based interventions aimed at enhancing the career development of individuals with disabilities. Sung is a certified rehabilitation counselor, highly respected scholar and community-builder, and has authored over 100 publications and has secured over $20 million in research funding. She is also a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and a Mary Switzer Fellow awarded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research. This research professorship will enable Sung to continue her transformational work in disability justice research and teaching at the nation's top-ranked School of Social Work. Sung looks forward to further bridging the gap between disability research and practice.

“My goal is to develop and implement evidence-based interventions that serve as actionable solutions to empower marginalized communities, foster equity and accessibility, and ignite a cultural shift toward greater inclusion and understanding of disability,” Sung said.

Prior to joining the School of Social Work, Sung served as the program director of the Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling and co-director of the Michigan State University Center for Services, Training and Research for Independence and Desired Employment. She received her Master of Philosophy in Rehabilitation Sciences from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and her PhD in Rehabilitation Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Lecturer Sean de Four’s op-ed “How Philanthropy Can Help Nonprofits Meet the Moment,” was published in Bridge Michigan.  

“These are difficult times for nonprofit organizations, the foundations that support them and the broader philanthropic community. But the outpouring of concern and willingness to help is inspiring. We should harness this opportunity to not only respond to urgent needs that arise, but to also address some of the longstanding issues in our sector.”

Associate Dean Robert Ortega has been appointed as a member of the Council on Social Work Education Board of Accreditation. Ortega will start his three-year term on July 1. The Board of Accreditation maintains and advocates for quality in social work education by overseeing the accreditation/candidacy process for more than 960 social work programs in the United States and its territories.

Professor Todd Herrenkohl, Associate Professor Katie Maguire-Jack and Assistant Professor Rebeccah Sokol published an article in The Conversation on how the current proposed cuts to the 2026 federal budget would slash vital services to an array of programs that support low-income families and keep children fed, housed and safe.  

“Our research has shown that increasing access to programs that support low-income families decreases child abuse and neglect while improving parents’ well-being,” they wrote. “We believe these programs are worth investing in because children’s lives are at stake. Especially when the economy appears to be in trouble, the consequences of weakening the safety net are dire.”

Clinical Assistant Professor Ayesha Ghazi Edwin spoke with MLive about the effects federal cuts will have on Food Gatherers, the lead agency for hunger relief in Washtenaw County. 

“Our county also happens to be experiencing one of the fastest rising rates of homelessness in our history with specific effects to older adults,” she said. “These challenges weren’t created overnight and they won’t be solved by one action, but they do call us to act locally when federal support falls short.”

Last month, Professor Katie Edwards was featured on CNN’s “One Thing” to discuss the effects of federal cuts to health research. Edwards — whose research focuses on preventing and responding to sexual violence among LGBTQ+ and highly vulnerable populations — has had six NIH grants cancelled this year. During the conversation, she specifically detailed the gut-wrenching process of shutting down a clinical study.

“It's been, quite frankly, it's been really chaotic. I mean, I think we've been doing our best to manage this in the most ethical way, putting participant safety as our top priority. This is unprecedented and so no amount of training in your PhD or institutional resources are prepared for this onslaught of determinations,” said Edwards. “The analogy I can think of is if you have someone on an operating table and mid-surgery, you just say, okay, we're gonna leave, and you just leave them there. I mean it's really dangerous, especially when you are working with groups of people who you know are experiencing disproportionate burdens of violence, suicidality, mental health problems.”

“It's heartbreaking and it makes me emotional because I've devoted my life to trying to help kids who often don't have a voice and who are really experiencing some of the most adverse situations. And knowing that our interventions are working, and to see that they can just overnight be taken away, is it's really hard to bear because you feel really powerless.”

Congratulations to the following faculty members whose promotions were approved by the U-M Board of Regents earlier this month. Sunggeun (Ethan) Park, Rebeccah Sokol and Katie Schultz were promoted to associate professor with tenure. Katie Maguire-Jack was promoted to professor. In addition, Rebeccah Sokol was also promoted to associate professor of Health Behavior & Health Equity at the School of Public Health.  These promotions go into effect on September 1, 2025.

Congratulations, also, to those who have received promotions or taken on new roles within our faculty. Christina Dadswell is now the assistant director of field education. Katie Lopez has been promoted to adjunct clinical associate professor.

We are also proud to celebrate the promotions of our field faculty and lecturers. Congratulations: 

• Gina Ambrogio, Lecturer II in Social Work
• Amy Burandt, Lecturer IV in Social Work
• Brooke Buys, Lecturer II in Social Work
• Miriam Connolly, Lecturer IV in Social Work
• Irena Glover, Lecturer II in Social Work
• Gregory Hoffman, Lecturer II in Social Work
• Grace Helms Kotre, Lecturer II in Social Work
• Jax Kynn, Lecturer II in Social Work
• Phillip Luttrell, Lecturer II in Social Work
• Douglas Manigault III, Lecturer II in Social Work
• Mari Jan Pitcher, Lecturer II in Social Work
• Diana Seales, Lecturer II in Social Work
• Aimée Vantine, Lecturer IV in Social Work

Professor Joseph Himle has been awarded the 2025 Distinguished Faculty Award. This highly esteemed peer award recognizes governing faculty members who demonstrate excellence in domains including longevity of service to the School, national recognition in scholarship and service, excellence in teaching and mentoring, outstanding service to the School and the university, and contribution to the professional community.

Himle is the Howard V. Brabson Collegiate Professor of Social Work and a professor of psychiatry at the U-M Medical School.