MSW Spotlights
Featured MSW Student Spotlight
Shaye White shares her experiences in the Traditional MSW program at the KU Lawrence campus. For White, who is from the Gila River Indian Community (Akimel O'odtham), social work is a path to helping her community.
Overview
The Master of Social Work program at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare equips graduates with the knowledge to provide counseling and direct services to individuals, families and groups. Our graduates make changes in organizations, communities and policies.
Read stories and watch interviews with KU MSW students and alumni.
MSW Student Spotlights
Practicum Spotlight: Julieta Zamora
Julieta Zamora is a student in the Master of Social Work program at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Her Practicum is at the the Family Conservancy Dame La Mano Program.
Practicum Spotlight: Marcello Dodd-Holliday
Marcello Dodd-Holliday, a Master of Social Work student in the University of Kansas’ advanced standing program in Salina, wants to give the youth a role model they can relate to. His practicum with Central Kansas Mental Health Center allows him to do that.
Student Spotlights: MSW Salina student experience
Students and recent graduates from the KU MSW program in Salina share their experiences. The partnership with Kansas State University Salina trains MSW-level social workers to serve central Kansas.
MSW Alumni Spotlights
Social Work MSW Macro Alumni Spotlight: Ella Hinson
Recent KU MSW graduate Ella Hinson is putting her macro social work skills to work as an advocacy specialist with the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness, managing a community outreach program. Hinson built skills in program administration, community practice and advocacy in the MSW macro specialization at KU.
Social Work Career Spotlight: Social Work Case Manager
Carlie Sauntry, a BSW and MSW graduate, supports clients at the University of Kansas Health System Addiction Clinic as a case manager.
Alumni Spotlight: Kristine McGuire
Social Welfare alumni Kristine McGuire was heavily involved in a bill that requires insurance companies in Colorado to pay for recreational prosthetics for those who need them to have a healthy lifestyle. She helped with the bill in 2023 and saw it go into effect on Jan. 1.
Alumni Spotlight: Latrese Kabuya
Making hard topics digestible is at the core of Kabuya’s social work journey. Her leap of faith took her from a place where mental health was taboo to a career where she helps families in need.
MSW Program News
New KU School of Social Welfare home at Green Hall puts students first
The school moves from Twente Hall to Green Hall in January 2025. An extensive renovation of the space is designed to meet student needs.
Sigler Aging Scholars Program continues to produce leaders in social work
Recent graduates share how the Sigler Scholars program helped develop an interest in social work careers supporting older adults.
Social Welfare support staff is dedicated to guiding students
Expanded student services include a professional writing consultant, retention coordinator and support coordinator - specifically for social work students.
KU MSW program is No. 22 among public schools in U.S. News rankings
The KU MSW prepares graduates for advanced social work practice in one of two broad specializations – either clinical social work practice with individuals, families and groups or social work macro practice aimed at social service administration, social policy development and social advocacy.
MSW Macro Specialization Spotlights
Social Work MSW Macro Alumni Spotlight: Ella Hinson
Recent KU MSW graduate Ella Hinson is putting her macro social work skills to work as an advocacy specialist with the Greater Kansas City Coalition to End Homelessness, managing a community outreach program. Hinson built skills in program administration, community practice and advocacy in the MSW macro specialization at KU.
Alumni Spotlight: Isaac Sanders
Isaac Sanders, MSW 2018, shares how a macro specialization informs their social work career.
Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Adhimaa
Jennifer Adhima graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a macro specialization in 2020. Today, she works as the chief program officer for the Nebraska Early Childhood Collaborative.
Alumni Spotlight: Brandy Williams
Brandy Williams graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a macro specialization in 2019. Today, she works as the education director for the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) in Kansas City.