School of Social Work News

Lecturer Tony Alvarez’s new book, "Adventure Group Psychotherapy an Experiential Approach to Treatment" explores what is necessary for an experiential therapy group to function effectively, and the practical skills needed to inspire success.

"This inspiring and essential resource provides powerful tools and techniques for adventure therapy practitioners and students," said Will White, co-founder, Summit Achievement, and author of "Stories from the Field: A History of Wilderness Therapy".

Associate Professor Terri Friedline’s new book, “Banking on a Revolution Why Financial Technology Won't Save a Broken System,” takes a critical look at advancements in financial technology (“fintech”) in the banking and financial industries, and makes the case for a more inclusive financial system. "Banking on a Revolution" is deeply rooted in theory and research, and it presents new interpretations of the climate crisis, student loan debt, and community benefits agreements and their relationships to the financial system. The book makes a compelling case for a revolutionized financial system that centers the needs, experiences, and perspectives of those it has historically excluded, marginalized, and exploited. 

"To create a more equitable and democratized financial system, we need to shift the balance of power away from banks and lenders and toward people,” says Friedline. “Social movements can shift power imbalances and hold institutions accountable for the racist inequalities they have created — tasks for which fintech was not really designed."

Today's joint Oversight Committee hearing at 1 PM in the state legislature is not allowing public comments. Despite many local leaders across the state requesting public comments, the chairs of the committee are not allowing us to testify. Here's what you can do you to do:

Tell your story anyway. During the Wayne County Board of Canvassers, people offered powerful stories about voting for the first time, new citizens proudly casting their ballots, 90-year old elders making sure to vote despite the pandemic, Black voters refusing to be silenced. We want our legislators to address the COVID-19 crisis, not racist attacks on our democracy. Let them know!

Tweet at/tag the Chairs of the Committee with your #IfICouldTestify Story: Twitter: @SenEdMcBroom, @RepMattHall. Facebook: @SenEdMcBroom, @StateRepHall.

Share your #IfICouldTestify story on your personal social media: You can go live or create a short, 30-second video. You can write out your thoughts. However you do it, make sure to include #IfICouldTestify and focus on your story and the need to move forward together.

Email the Chairs of the Committee and Progressive:

This decision is now approved and final.

The Joint Program in Social Work and Social Science at the University of Michigan has decided to not enroll a new doctoral class for 2021. This is a difficult decision but given the impact of COVID on our current diverse student body, it is needed to provide them the best chance for success. This would be for one year. Next year we would resume enrolling students as we previously have. We currently do not plan to offer deferments to prospective students this year. There are only eight seats per year and if we defer students this year we would not have seats available next year.

We know this is a disappointment for those of you who would like to enroll this year, and for that we are sorry. However, we are committed first to our current students and assuring they have all the resources they need to be successful. We think this is one of the reasons you may be considering our program and would expect nothing less of us. These are hard times for everyone, which force all of us to make difficult decisions. We hope that you will be able to apply next year. You are very important to our future. At this time, we have to make the best decisions we can for our current students so that they can move forward and become the next leaders in the field of social work.

The MSW program is still admitting a cohort for fall 2021. Please consider applying to their program.

FAQ Regarding Students Who Have Applied

I have already applied to the program, will my application fee be refunded?

Yes, your application will be refunded if you applied to the Joint Program without applying to any other programs. This cannot occur until we get final approval from Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

I would still like to be considered for the MSW program, is this possible?

Yes, we would like to encourage prospective students to still apply to the MSW program. We will continue to forward any information you submitted to us to the MSW admissions team, and if you have any questions about your MSW application you can reach out to ssw.msw.info@umich.edu.

Michigan Social Work has archived resources and events from U-M and NASW connected to the upcoming election.

 Lorraine Gutiérrez, associate dean for educational programs and professor of social work, is receiving the 2020 Career Achievement Award from the Association for Community Organization and Social Action (ACOSA).  The award honors the lifetime contribution of a person in the field who has made a major contribution to community practice. She is a leader in scholarship on group work, empowerment, multicultural practice and research for community change that has advanced these areas and enriched social work education and practice.  She has exemplified an academic life that connects her teaching and research with her service that has enhanced her school, campus, community and profession. 

"There is no greater honor than being recognized by my peers,” said Gutiérrez  .  “I joined ACOSA when I was a doctoral student in 1986 and it has always been an important part of my community-focused work. I have been happy to be contributing to the field of community practice."

ENGAGE Program Director and Lecturer Ayesha Ghazi-Edwin received a Certificate of Appreciation from the James T. Neubacher Awards Committee, a unit of the U-M Council for Disability Concerns. The certificate is in acknowledgment of her efforts to advance the cause of accessibility and justice for the disability community.  In addition to her work at the school, Ghazi-Edwin is also the Fund Development and Research Specialist at Detroit Disability Power, a disability justice nonprofit organization in Detroit.  She also serves on the Michigan Social Work's Inclusion and Access Taskforce. 

Established by the university’s Council for Disability Concerns in October 1990, the award is a memorial to James T. Neubacher, a university alumnus and columnist for the Detroit Free Press who advocated for equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities.

Rose C. Gibson Collegiate Professor Emerita of Social Work Letha Chadiha is receiving the 2020 Career Achievement Award from the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work. This award recognizes a faculty member who is an outstanding leader in social work education and aging with significant achievements including major research and publications, prominence in promoting education in gerontology, and mentoring faculty and students interested in aging.