School of Social Work News

Paula Allen-Meares, Norma Radin Collegiate Professor Emerita of Social Work, Professor Emerita of Education and Dean Emerita, is named a 2020 Society for Social Work and Research Fellow. The Society for Social Work and Research Fellows are members who have served with distinction to advance the mission of the Society — to advance, disseminate and translate research that addresses issues of social work practice and policy and promotes a diverse, equitable and just society. SSWR Fellows serve as role models and mentors for individuals pursuing careers in social work research.

Professor Rogério M. Pinto is a panelist for “How can the nuclear sector pivot and become a leader in inclusion, diversity and community-based practices?” at the Nuclear Futures Workshop in Washington D.C. The workshop, sponsored by U-M Fastest Path to Zero, brings together experts in energy, climate and community-oriented issues critical to any community which is considering a new generation nuclear power plant. 

LEO Lecturer Ayesha Ghazi Edwin has been appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. The commission’s vision is to fully engage Asian and Pacific Americans in Michigan.

Field Faculty Rosalva Osorio has been appointed to the Task Force on Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health and Developmental Neuroscience, a collaborative project between the Council on Social Work Education and the Erickson Institute.

Ashley Hajski, Joint PhD student in social work and psychology, successfully defended her dissertation titled, "Young Families in the Community: An Exploratory Analysis of Child Welfare Contact Among Young Mothers and their Children." Her committee consisted of Barry Checkoway (co-chair), Lorraine Gutiérrez (co-chair), Joe Ryan and Monique Ward.

Assistant Professor Jamie Mitchell discussed the lack of diversity in the subjects of medical research studies and how diseases and treatment differ based on race and gender with Michigan Radio. “We don’t have a lot of confidence to be able to tell patients, yes we’ve actually tested this Alzheimer’s intervention, this depression intervention, with people who look like you, who may have a similar background and upbringing as you, who may have faced some of the same stressors — such as discrimination — as you,” Mitchell said.

Lecturer Ayesha Ghazi and the students in her Social Work 560 course immersed themselves in the Sugarbrook neighborhood for a semester to study engagement, policy and community organizing. The students led a number of activities and joined pre-existing neighborhood action teams to increase resident engagement. Ghazi says a number of studies have shown that participating in events where neighbors spend time with one another improves mental and physical health outcomes, as well as feelings of safety.  Their efforts were covered on WDIV and Concentrate.

Michigan Social Work's Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) celebrated and honored recipients of the DEI Impact Awards, recognizing individuals or groups in the School who have made significant contributions to advancing diversity, equity & inclusion in the School of Social Work and/or in the community. Lauren Davis, Assistant Director of SSW DEI Program, said about the awards: “While there is still much work to be done to advance the efforts of the DEI strategic plan, we wanted to take a moment to celebrate the incredible work that members of the SSW community have made to advance diversity, equity and inclusion, and to acknowledge the commitment and progress we have made as a School.”

The recipients of the 2019 Impact Awards are, from left to right: Justin Hodge, Clinical Assistant Professor; Todd Huynh, Joint PhD Program Coordinator; Dominique Crump, MSW Student; and the Undoing Racism Work Group: Daicia Price, Clinical Assistant Professor; Richard Tolman, Professor of Social Work; Lorraine Gutiérrez, Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program, and Professor of Social Work. Not pictured, but also award recipients: Sharon Almonte, MSW Student; and Undoing Racism Work Group member Lisa Fedina, Assistant Professor of Social Work.