School of Social Work News

Assistant Professor Odessa Gonzalez Benson was quoted in the Michigan News article “For new refugees, ‘higher education is a path to freedom’” about the campus visit of a group of Congolese high school students and community leaders from Grand Rapids.  Sponsored by [RE]vive, a student-driven refugee education initiative, the visit included tours of several schools - including SSW - as part of a college readiness program.

Along with the Program for Research on Black Americans  – part of the Institute for Social Research – and the Michigan Center for Urban African American Aging Research, the School of Social Work hosted a three-day summer mentoring workshop.  Created by Professor Robert Taylor, the workshop provides career advice and guidance to approximately 40 social work doctoral students whose research involves African American and Latinx populations. Conference attendees took advantage of concurrent programming at U-M by holding joint sessions with the 25th Annual National Black Graduate Conference in Psychology and the Summer Meeting of The St. Louis Group.

Dean Lynn Videka hosted The Saint Louis Group, an organization of deans and directors representing schools of social work from R1 universities.  The conference provided a forum to discuss the advancement of social work research and education. Attendees visited the Institute for Social Research, met with the U-M Health Sciences Dean’s Council, and had a conversation with U-M President Mark Schlissel about the relationship between research universities and society.  There was also plenty of opportunity for networking and collegiality, including a group trip to see the Detroit Tigers win at Comerica Park.

Associate Professor Shawna Lee and PhD student Joyce Lee’s research “The effect of paternal cues in prenatal care settings on men’s involvement intentions” is cited in the Huffington Post. Most photos and brochures in a typical OB-GYN waiting room focus on mothers, but adding some subtle father-friendly visual cues could be a simple way to boost a dad’s parenting confidence, according to Shawna Lee and Joyce Lee's new study.

Lynn Videka, Dean and Carol T. Mowbray Collegiate Professor of Social Work, is the recipient of the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration’s Edith Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement. Videka received her AM in 1976 and her PhD in 1981. The award honors alumni who have made outstanding contributions, which have enhanced the social work profession overall. Her vision at the University of Michigan is one that encompasses robust research, innovative cross-disciplinary collaborations and rigorous engaged education for the next generation of practitioners.

Associate Professor Karen Staller received an award from the Doctoral Student Organization for her dedication to the education and mentorship of joint social work and social science doctoral students. 

Associate Professor Kristin Seefeldt is cited in the New York Times, "Why There Has Been a Surge in Single Mothers Who Work".  “Even with increased wages and even with the changes that are being made around leave policy and the like, employees are still at the mercy of their employers,” said Seefeldt.