Faculty News

Professor Connie Sung’s research focuses on community-based interventions in improving individuals with disabilities in career development and psychosocial adjustment. She has authored over 90 publications and secured over $20 million in research funding. Applying a holistic, strengths-based approach, she has led and co-led multiple projects, developing community-based interventions that involve interdisciplinary, interagency and international collaborations. 

“I am absolutely thrilled to join the University of Michigan School of Social Work  and become part of its diverse, vibrant, and dynamic community that champions community-based participatory research and teaching— values that deeply resonate with me,” said Sung. “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. I’m excited to collaborate with brilliant colleagues and contribute to groundbreaking research and teaching that drive meaningful and lasting progress in social justice and inclusion."

Sung most recently served as the program director of the MA in Rehabilitation Counseling and as the co-director of the Michigan State University Center for Services, Training, and Research for Independence and Desired Employment (STRIDE).  She received her Master of Philosophy from Hong Kong Polytechnic University and her PhD from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

Professor Katie Edwards focuses her research on preventing and responding to sexual and related forms of violence among structural minoritized populations using community-based participatory methods. Her current work is focused on program development and evaluation with Indigenous youth and communities as well as LGBTQ+ youth in online spaces. She helped establish the first Indigenous-led sexual violence prevention center, entitled Peaceful Means, on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Edwards’ other projects include:

• Family Accepted Project Online (FAPO)
• IDEA3 ( Internet-Delivered Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act)
• Project LIVE (Love, Inclusivity, Values, Education)
• Promoting Resilient Youth with Strong Hearts and Minds (PRYSHM) Project
• Strong, Thriving and Resilient Men (STAR-M)
• Teen Connection Project (TCP)
• The Takini (Survivor) Project
• Wahwala Iyohlogya (Peaceful Means)
• Tiwahe Tewichaglapi (Lakota Family Acceptance Project)
• Supporting Survivors & Self—Indigenized (SSS-I; Miye na Wicakiya Oyate Wi Okiciyapi Kta) 

“I am deeply grateful to be at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. What excites me most is that the School really walks in their DEI values. I remember when I interviewed here being struck by how much room there was for positionality and emotionality, and how intellectually stimulated and motivated I felt — those collective experiences made me confident that U of M was where I should be alongside my teams,” said Edwards. “I believe that with these values and the strong infrastructure will allow my teams and me to dream bigger and make more impactful change than we could at any other university in the world. I, along with my team of over 50 amazing staff and co-leaders, couldn’t be more excited, proud, and joyful to be here.”

Edwards joins the School from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she has served as Professor of Educational Psychology. She received her MS and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Ohio University, Athens.

Professor Rogério Pinto spoke with Michigan Public Radio's “Stateside” about the recent executive order to cut federal funding to health care centers that provide gender-affirming care for minors. This order includes restrictions on coverage under Medicaid, Medicare, and federal employee benefits.

“We have a vast amount of research that demonstrates that those procedures are safe, they are life-saving for a lot of young people,” said Pinto.

Lexx Brown-James, director of the School’s Sexual Health Certificate Program, shared with SELF magazine her best practices and tips for sexting with confidence. This article also appeared in VOGUE India.

Clinical Assistant Professor Ayesha Ghazi Edwin recently spoke with WXYZ about a new website the city of Ann Arbor is launching that will help renters find housing options. Ghazi Edwin, who represents Ward 3 on Ann Arbor City Council, helped create the initiative, which she said is designed to empower renters and transform how they find housing. The article also appeared in MLive.

Assistant Professor Ashley Cureton’s academic journey and her work with refugee communities were featured in Diverse Issues in Higher Education. She shared this advice: ”Remember, it’s progress, not perfection. You win some and you lose some. No matter what happens, keep pushing towards greatness.” The article also gave a shout-out to Cureton’s career mentors including Professors Rogério Pinto and Trina Shanks.

Lecturer Jewel Woods wrote about the connection between Black History Month and Black men's health in Psychology Today. “Strength isn’t about suppressing pain; it’s about having the courage to face it. To be the best version of ourselves—for ourselves, the people we love, and those who rely on us—we must develop the insight and skills to navigate life’s challenges.”

Professor Katie Edwards spoke with CNN about the announcement of funding caps from the National Institute of Health and how that affects research at institutions and universities across the country.  “These are funds that are used to keep, I mean literally, to help keep the lights on at the university,” said Edwards. “Without having sufficient funding, I don’t know how many universities are going to be able to continue to be leading research institutions in the world, quite frankly.”