School of Social Work News

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

This award honors staff who go above and beyond in their roles—championing others, contributing creative and collaborative solutions, and embodying the values that make our School stronger. Named in memory of our beloved colleague Colleen Karim, the award celebrates those who lead with excellence, care and kindness.

• Amber Farmer, Research Administrator Senior (0–5 years of service)
• Erin Zimmer, Director of MSW Student Services (5+ years of service)
• Joseph Galura, CASC Undergraduate Minor Advisor (5+ years of service)

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.

Field Faculty and Lecturer Zaynab Boussi has received the 2025 Distinguished Lecturer Award. This highly esteemed peer award recognizes excellence in teaching and mentoring of students and the very highest ideal of a School of Social Work Lecturer.

Clinical Associate Professor Daicia Price has been named 2025 Teacher of the Year by the Student Government.  This award is given in recognition of a faculty member who has demonstrated a commitment to improving DEI, made outstanding and positive contributions to the School’s climate, and whose skills, dedication, understanding and caring have positively impacted students. Price is also the director of the School’s Flourish office.

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.