School of Social Work News

Professor Luke Shaefer has been appointed special counselor to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on anti-poverty and economic mobility initiatives. His role is advising and facilitating discussion on anti-poverty policy. 

Assistant Professor Lisa Fedina and team have received funding from the U-M Center for Academic Innovation for their new online course (MOOC) “Interprofessional Responses to Intimate Partner Violence.” The course will enhance knowledge and capacity to effectively identify, screen and respond to victims of intimate partner violence from an interprofessional perspective in a healthcare setting. The team includes Professor Richard Tolman, Assistant Professor Katie Schultz and faculty from the U-M School of Nursing and the University of Maryland School of Social Work. The course will start in the spring of 2020.

Clinical Associate Professor Beth Sherman is a member of the Standards Development Committee for the Michigan Department of Education. She worked on new recommendations for school social workers. Her efforts have resulted in two new standards encompassing diversity, inclusion, human rights and social justice. “These standards build on the School of Social Work’s commitment to DEI. Teaching and researching in this environment have taught me to be a strong advocate for social justice and informed my work on this committee.”

Clinical Assistant Professor Justin Hodge was elected to the board of directors for the Congressional Research Institute for Social Work and Policy (CRISP). CRISP is committed to expanding the participation of social workers in federal legislative and policy processes and acts as a bridge between social work researchers and federal policymakers.

Three School of Social Work alumni were presented Distinguished Alumni Awards at the SSW All-Class Reunion Lunch on Friday, October 4, 2019.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes School of Social Work alumni whose achievements exemplify the values of the School of Social Work and who have made an exceptional impact on the profession, the community and/or Social Work education.

Learn more about the Distinguished Alumni Award »

Charles Williams II, MSW ‘20 and senior pastor of Detroit's Historic King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church, discusses with the New York Times how the black baptist church shaped Congressman Elijah E. Cummings' career.

2019 CASC graduate Kym Leggett has been named the 2019-2020 Dean’s Fellow for the U-M College of Literature, Science, and the Arts.  Leggett received her bachelor’s in sociology, a double minor in CASC and music. She also earned the CASC certificate in Poverty Solutions, Action & Engagement.  

Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Howard V. Brabson Collegiate Professor Joseph Himle and Marion Elizabeth Blue Professor of Children and Families Todd Herrenkohl were named fellows of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. They will be inducted into the academy during a ceremony at the Society for Social Work and Research’s annual conference in January.  Fellow status is among the highest professional accolades bestowed to social work scholars; Michigan Social Work now has 11 academy members.