School of Social Work

Associate Research Scientist Roland Zullo comments on GM strike with Time Magazine. GM union members have joined a national uptick in strikes, with Americans increasingly turning to collective action in the face of unstable employment practices. “In a healthy labor relations context, there’s that understanding that when times are tough, everybody sacrifices. But when times improve, everybody shares, right?” Zullo says.

Garrett Pace, Joint PhD student, discusses the harmful effects of spanking with American University Radio. “Our findings suggest that spanking seems to be harmful on a global scale,” says lead author Pace.

Michelle Duprey is the director of Integrated Health Care at Starfish Family Services, which offers behavioral health services in Livonia, Dearborn, and Westland, and in Inkster within Western Wayne Family Health Centers. “A lot more health and hospital systems, private practices, and group practices are hearing about integrated health. They are just not quite sure where to start. This program is a great way to jump in, see what it looks like, and prepare staff to do the work,” Duprey says.

Associate Professor Kristin Seefeldt has been appointed new associate faculty director at the University of Michigan Poverty Solutions. Poverty Solutions is a presidential initiative that aims to prevent and alleviate poverty through action-based research that informs policymakers, community organizations, government entities and practitioners about what works in confronting poverty.  Seefeldt in her new role will engage more faculty and students in meaningful research opportunities.

Associate Professor Daphne Watkins' research on black men is featured in U-M Record.  Watkins researches how men and boys define themselves as men and boys, and how that influences their mental health.

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

We welcome four new faculty members to Michigan Social Work — a community joined together by a strong commitment to diversity, respect, inclusion and learning from one another.
 

Fernanda L. Cross
Transitional Postdoctoral Research Fellow
 

Area of Expertise
Latinx mixed-status families, undocumented immigrants, ethnic-racial socialization, discrimination experiences, adolescent mental health and academic outcomes

Jessica A. Wojtalik
Transitional Postdoctoral Research Fellow
 

Area of Expertise
Child abuse and neglect, child maltreatment prevention, neighborhoods, poverty, program evaluation, social policy, parenting

Kathryn L. Maguire-Jack
Associate Professor of Social Work
 

Area of Expertise
American Indian/Alaska Native Suicide Prevention, Indigenous Youth Resilience, Culturally-Specific Behavioral Health Services, Digitally-Enhanced Participatory Research

Lisa M. Wexler
Professor of Social Work
 

Area of Expertise
Psychosocial and cognitive interventions, schizophrenia, severe mental illnesses and pathophysiology of mental illness and cognitive impairment

Assistant Professor Lisa Fedina's research on child sex trafficking in the United States was cited in the USA Today story, "Jeffrey Epstein's alleged sex trafficking targets: 'The more vulnerable the better,' investigator says."

Associate Professor Daphne Watkins was appointed to the 2020 American Psychological Association Presidential Task Force on Advancing Social and Emotional Development of Black Boys through Research, Advocacy and Community Engagement. The task force was recently appointed by President-Elect Erlanger Turner, with the goal of advancing research and advocacy efforts related to black boys. The task force is composed of researchers, clinicians and public policy advocates.

Associate Professor David Córdova was selected as an ambassador. for the 2019 Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students. Ambassadors mentor students and develop learning strategies for facilitating student success.