School of Social Work

Clinical Associate Professor Beth Sherman was selected as the 2020 Student Union Teacher of the Year.  Each year, the Student Union recognizes a professor at the School whose skills, dedication, understanding and commitment have made a positive impact on the lives of students. Nominations from students also consider service and contribution to the School’s climate.

The National Institute of Mental Health is funding Lauren White, Joint PhD student in Social Psychology and Social Work, to study a new suicide prevention model, Promoting Community Conversations About Research to End Suicide. The program is a health intervention designed, supported and implemented by remote communities in Northwest Alaska to decrease youth suicide. Professor Lisa Wexler is the principal investigator.

Associate Professor Shawna Lee and members of the Michigan Child Welfare Inter-University Consortium wrote an op-ed in the Detroit Free Press,” We can’t forget Michigan's abused and neglected children during COVID-19.”

Master’s-level learners have a new innovative and flexible online MasterTrack Certificate program, offered on Coursera. The Social Work MasterTrack program is focused on research, policy and practice. Six courses address advocacy for diversity, social justice and change and emphasize practice with individuals, families, small groups and community organizations.

Sara Stein, Joint PhD student social work and psychology discussed MI Frontline Support a program offering mental health care to essential workers during the Coronavirus pandemic. The program makes it easier for frontline workers to connect with licensed clinicians. 

Associate Professor Terri Friedline has been selected for the U-M 2020 cohort of the Public Engagement Fellowship. Mentor fellows are faculty with more extensive experience in public engagement and will work closely with Fellows to provide guidance, connections and mentorship based on their own expertise and networks.

Michigan Social Work is addressing issues of stigma and discrimination against Asians and other minority groups in a series of online weekly forums.  Moderated by Assistant Professor Addie Weaver and Professors Rogério Pinto and Larry Gant, the discussion group aims to strengthen solidarity and fight racism and discrimination.

Associate Professor Matthew Smith and SIMmersion LLC were awarded a $3.1 million grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. Smith is the scientific lead developing a virtual simulation, which will help autistic teens and young adults learn effective ways to talk and interact with customers, coworkers and supervisors in work settings.

Associate Professor Shawna Lee discussed the stress of parenting during the coronavirus pandemic on the latest episode of the Michigan Minds podcast.  On March 24, which was shortly after much of the country began social distancing, Lee a

Henry J. Meyer Collegiate Professor Emeritus of Social Work John Tropman is the author of a new book, “Supervision, Management, and Leadership: An Introduction to Building Community Benefit Organizations.” Tropman’s handbook serves as a guide for managers and leaders in the human services field. “In response to the increasing needs of managers and leaders, John Tropman provides a comprehensive framework and sensible strategies for improving the craft of management.