School of Social Work News

Janelle Goodwill, Joint PhD student in Social Work and Psychology, successfully defended her dissertation "A multi-method analysis of stigma, social support, and suicide ideation among Black college students." Her committee consisted of Daphne Watkins, Jacqueline Mattis (co-chairs), Robert J. Taylor and Myles Durkee.

Dean Lynn Videka has been named a chair of the U-M Provost’s Fall 2020 Planning Initiative. She is a member of the overall Fall 2020 Coordinating Committee and is chairing the Curricular Support, Extra and Co-curricular Activities, and Engaged Learning Committee.  Videka’s committee is part of a larger, coordinating committee chaired by Interim Provost Susan Collins, which is exploring ways the university can move forward with research, teaching and service during the pandemic.  Videka’s committee will focus on ensuring equitable access to key academic resources and developing guidelines to support and enhance U-M undergraduate and graduate education in fall 2020.

Todd I. Herrenkohl the Marion Elizabeth Blue Professor of Children and Families is the editor in chief of the Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research (JSSWR). The journal is a peer-reviewed publication dedicated to presenting innovative, rigorous original research on social problems, intervention programs, and policies. “We are excited to welcome Dr. Herrenkohl as JSSWR’s editor-in-chief,” says Luis H. Zayas, president of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Board of Directors. “I’m certain that Todd will continue the journal’s upward trajectory and legacy of excellence, bringing new ideas to further advance social work research, knowledge, and impact." Herrenkohl will serve a 5-year term, 2020–2025, during which time he also will head the JSSWR Editorial Board and serve as a member of the SSWR Committee on Publications.

LEO Lecturer Julie Cushman has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Lecturer Award. For over twenty years, her exceptional dedication and commitment to social work values have made a positive impact on both the education of students and the climate of the School.

Cushman has taught a wide variety of classes and developed innovative ways to support student growth with opportunities outside the classroom. Most notably, she worked over many years with students to develop an experiential learning game, “Power: A Game of Positionality and Intersectionality.” Designed to teach complex adaptive change theory and intersectionality, the game is used in several courses at the School as well as at the U-M School of Public Health.

Associate Professor Shawna Lee, author of a recent study on the stress of parenting amid this crisis talks with Tonya Mosley from Here & Now a National Public Radio live midday news program. 

Clinical Associate Professor Beth Sherman was selected as the 2020 Student Union Teacher of the Year.  Each year, the Student Union recognizes a professor at the School whose skills, dedication, understanding and commitment have made a positive impact on the lives of students. Nominations from students also consider service and contribution to the School’s climate.

“Over the years I have been incredibly honored to be a part of the University of Michigan School of Social Work community, helping to support our students on their paths to becoming kind, strong, social justice seeking, and capable social workers. In the current uncertainty, to have my efforts appreciated by the ones who matter most to me, means everything,” says Sherman. 

The National Institute of Mental Health is funding Lauren White, Joint PhD student in Social Psychology and Social Work, to study a new suicide prevention model, Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide. The program is a health intervention designed, supported and implemented by remote communities in Northwest Alaska to decrease youth suicide. Professor Lisa Wexler is the principal investigator.

Associate Professor Shawna Lee and members of the Michigan Child Welfare Inter-University Consortium wrote an op-ed in the Detroit Free Press,” We can’t forget Michigan's abused and neglected children during COVID-19.”