Joint PhD Program News

Director of the Joint Doctoral Program and Associate Professor Daphne Watkins was selected to be a featured speaker at the 2017 Institute Science Symposium at Harvard University’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study on the theme of epidemics. The Symposium is scheduled for October 27, 2017 at 9 AM. The school will livestream the event and create a video link for later viewing.

Ed-Dee Williams (PhD student) and Assistant Professor Jamie Mitchell’s article, “Characterizing Mobility Limitations Among Older African American Men” was published in the Journal of the National Medical Association.

Vincent Fusaro successfully defended his dissertation, “The Spirit of '96: States & the Implementation of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” and obtained his PhD in Social Work and Political Science. Dr. Fusaro has accepted an Assistant Professor of Social Work position with Boston College.

Elizabeth Armstrong successfully defended her dissertation, “Bridging the Intimate Partner Violence and Alcohol and Other Drug Service Fields” and obtained her PhD in Social Work and Sociology. Dr. Armstrong has accepted a position at the University of Maine.

Elizabeth Koomson successfully defended her dissertation, “Transforming Customary Systems: Talensi Women in Small-scale Mining” and obtained her PhD in Social Work and Anthropology. Dr. Koomson is currently researching her options on the job market.

Adrian Gale successfully defended his dissertation, “Examining Black adolescents’ perceptions of in-school racial discrimination: The role of gender, socioeconomic status and perceptions of school climate on academic outcomes” and obtained his PhD in Social Work and Psychology. Dr. Gale has accepted a position at Rutgers University.

Vincent Fusaro and Janelle Goodwill received the Doctoral Poster Award at the School of Social Work's annual Research Day. Fusaro was awarded for his poster "Children in Immigrant Families & Economic Hardship", and Goodwill for her poster, "How Do Young Black Men Cope with Life Stressors and Mental Health Challenges?" Fusaro's research looked at immigrant family participation in public programs, while Goodwill studied in-group differences in mental and health coping strategies in young Black men.

John Mathias successfully defended his dissertation, "Contentious Ethics: Creativity and Persuasion among Environmental Justice Organizers in South India" and obtained his PhD in Social Work and Anthropology. He has accepted an Assistant Professor of Social Work position with Florida State University.