School of Social Work News

Congratulations to Andy Grogan-Kaylor, Luke Shaefer and Daphne Watkins who were promoted to full professor and to Katie Richards-Schuster who was promoted to associate professor with tenure at this month’s U-M Regents meeting.

Professor Brad Zebrack shared his insights into the unique challenges faced by young adult cancer survivors on the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society podcast. Zebrack discusses young adult survivors’ struggle for independence, challenges with body image and intimacy, issues navigating financial and career challenges, young adult survivors’ desire to feel “normal” amongst their peers, and how the healthcare team can help.

Associate Professor Daphne Watkins has been named Senior Scientific Advisor for the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, a national membership network that seeks to ensure the growth, sustainability and impact of leaders and organizations committed to improving the life outcomes of Black men and boys.

MSW Program Director Barb Hiltz was elected president and Michelle Mattison, MSW student representative of the NASW-Michigan Chapter. 

Nkemka Aniywo successful defended her dissertation "'We gon' be alright': Racism, Media, and the Sociopolitical Development of Black Youth." Her committee consisted of Daphne Watkins, Stephanie Rowley (co-chairs), Katie Richards-Schuster and Monique Ward. She has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania.

Michigan Social Work, together with Poverty Solutions, the Center on Assets, Education, and Inclusion and The Annie E. Casey Foundation, hosted academics, researchers, financial analysts, elected officials and policy experts at a conference to discuss Children’s Savings Accounts (CSA).  The conference was organized by Professor William Elliott.  Dean Lynn Videka welcomed the participants and introduced keynote speaker, SSW alumnus, Michael Sherraden.  Associate Professors Terri Friedline and Trina Shanks also spoke during the three-day event.  Conference sessions included creating policy for financial inclusion, current research initiatives to evaluate CSA outcomes, and an overview of how to start and fund a CSA.

The School of Social Work Queer Advocacy Coalition was awarded the Excellence in Student Leadership Award at the Spring 2019 Lavender Graduation. The award recognizes sustained and lasting commitment to LGBTQ communities. Lavender Graduation, sponsored by Spectrum,  is a celebration to honor LGBTQ graduates at U-M.

Paige Safyer defended her dissertation "M(other) Nurture: Exploring the Influence of Maternal Care on the Development of Infant Emotion Processing, Regulation, and the Emotional Brain."  Her committee consisted of Richard Tolman, Brenda Volling (co-chairs), Katherine Rosenblum, Julie Ribaudo and Ioulia Kovelman. She has accepted an Assistant Professor of Social Work position at Arizona State University.