School of Social Work News

 Lorraine Gutiérrez, associate dean for educational programs and professor of social work, is receiving the 2020 Career Achievement Award from the Association for Community Organization and Social Action (ACOSA).  The award honors the lifetime contribution of a person in the field who has made a major contribution to community practice. She is a leader in scholarship on group work, empowerment, multicultural practice and research for community change that has advanced these areas and enriched social work education and practice.  She has exemplified an academic life that connects her teaching and research with her service that has enhanced her school, campus, community and profession. 

"There is no greater honor than being recognized by my peers,” said Gutiérrez  .  “I joined ACOSA when I was a doctoral student in 1986 and it has always been an important part of my community-focused work. I have been happy to be contributing to the field of community practice."

Professor Lorraine Gutiérrez is the 2017 recipient of the Distinguished Contributions to Teaching and Mentoring in Qualitative Inquiry award from the American Psychological Association.

Lorraine Gutiérrez, Professor of Social Work, School of Social Work, Arthur F Thurnau Professor, Professor of Psychology, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, will receive the 2017 Teaching and Mentoring in Qualitative Inquiry Award from the American Psychological Association. This award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring within the field of qualitative inquiry. She is the Director of the School of Social Work Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program and is a fellow at the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare.  

Professor Lorraine Gutiérrez was a featured panelist at the panel discussion, “Academic freedom and diversity: Viewpoints on institutional practices and tensions”, which was held at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. The panel itself will be on CSPAN3 later this year.

On October 5, 2016 the School publicly published its Strategic Plan for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The plan will requires a strong leader, therefore, Professor Lorraine Gutiérrez will serve as the inaugural Director of SSW's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative.  Lorraine has been a national leader in diversity and social justice in social work. Her scholarship is core reading in most BS and MSW programs. She is the recipient of the 2016 distinguished faculty award at SSW, she is ranked as a high impact female social work scholar and received the "Blue Flame" lifetime achievement award from the Organization of Latino American Social Workers. Lorraine is currently serving as Chair of the Personality and Social Contexts Psychology Program and the Arthur F Thurnau Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychology. She is already working together with key faculty and the dean's office in advancing the plan this semester and will assume the role's full responsibilities in January.

​Professor Lorraine ​Gutiérrez​ ​was selected as a fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. The Academy is an honorific society of distinguished scholars and practitioners dedicated to achieving excellence in the field of social work and social welfare through high-impact work that advances social good.​ She will be inducted at the ​Society for Social Work Research conference, January 11-15, 201​7 in ​ New Orleans​.​

Professor Lorraine Gutiérrez was a keynote speaker at the 2016 Latino Social Worker Network Conference, "Moving Towards the Future of Social Work Practice" on October 14 at the University of Illinois, Chicago.

Professor Lorraine M. Gutiérrez was recognized with the School of Social Work 2016 Distinguished Faculty Award. The Distinguished Faculty Award is intended to recognize a current governing faculty member in the School of Social Work who has achieved national recognition in scholarship, demonstrated excellence in teaching and mentoring, provided outstanding service to the School and the University, and/or contributed significantly to the professional community.