School of Social Work News

Four School of Social Work alumni were presented Distinguished Alumni Awards at the SSW All-Class Reunion Lunch on Friday, October 5, 2018.

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 »

Jessica Wiederspan, PhD '17 dissertation research, "How the Ideology of the American Dream Persists in an Era of Economic Insecurity" is cited in The Washington Post, "Donald Trump's grotesque fraud". Wiederspan is a researcher studying basic income with the Y Combinator.

Professor Edie Kieffer participated in a Congressional Briefing on Latina maternal and child health on September 27 in Washington, DC. A scholarly review featuring Kieffer’s research and that of 11 other authors was shared outlining five recommended national action steps ranging from creating more culturally competent programming to establishing a National Center for Latino Maternal and Child Health.  

Cherish Fields, MSW '11 and a Blavin Scholar graduate, Miriam Connolly MSW '04 and director of the Blavin Scholar Program and Professor Joe Ryan highlight the importance of the Blavin Scholars program.
“The Blavin program is an innovative approach to helping young adults reach their full potential,” Professor Joe Ryan and co-director of the Child & Adolescent Data Lab.

Associate Professor Luke Shaefer will receive a Faculty Recognition Award on October 3 from the University of Michigan. Bestowed every fall by the Rackham Graduate School, the Faculty Recognition Award recognizes mid-career faculty who have made remarkable contributions to the University through scholarly research; excellence as teachers, advisors and mentors; and distinguished service.

The University of Michigan and Harvard University are forming a partnership to spur economic mobility and reduce poverty in Detroit. The Equality of Opportunity Project — led by Harvard faculty members Raj Chetty and Nathaniel Hendren and Brown University’s John Friedman — will work with U-M’s Poverty Solutions initiative, led by Associate Professor and Poverty Solutions Director, Luke Shaefer.

Professor William Elliot received funding from the Friedman Family Foundation to support the Center on Assets, Education, and Inclusion. The center creates and studies innovations related to asset development, education and financial inclusion that result in opportunities across the life course for low-income children and families.

Associate Professor Daphne Watkins was awarded a grant from the My Brother's Keeper Detroit Innovation Challenge to launch a Young Black Men, Masculinities, and Mental Health (YBMen) Project for adolescents and young adults in Detroit.