News
Thu, 04/17/2025
School of Social Welfare to host panel, networking event to celebrate launch of new center
The School of Social Welfare will host a panel presentation and networking opportunity April 23 that will celebrate the launch of the school’s new Center for the Advancement of Healthcare for Everyone (CAHE).
Wed, 04/16/2025
Social Work Career Spotlight: Hospice Care
Senna Hargett, KU BSW 2023, combines nursing skills with social work education in her work at Kansas City Hospice & Palliative Care.
Fri, 04/11/2025
Social Work Career Spotlight: Founder and Bridge Builder for Housing Solutions
Felicity Anderson, BSW 2023, uses case management experience to launch her own social service company.
Tue, 04/08/2025
KU Master of Social Work program ranked 22nd among public schools
KU has 48 graduate programs in the top 50 among public universities — including 10 programs in the top 10 — in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings.
Tue, 04/08/2025
Study highlights role of social workers in addressing marginalized communities bearing brunt of climate disasters
A KU researcher calculated carbon footprints of residents of one of the poorest neighborhoods in Seoul, South Korea. Joonmo Kang found that, despite contributing much less to climate change than other residents, they bore the brunt of the effects. This highlights the vital role of social workers in helping address climate injustice and advocating for equitable solutions, according to researcher.
Wed, 04/02/2025
Global Climate Teach-in to feature Bridging Social Work and Climate/Environmental Justice event
For the fourth year, KU is participating in the Worldwide Climate Education Week, led by Bard College. Five events offer opportunities to come together in different settings around education about the climate crisis.
Tue, 04/01/2025
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.
Tue, 04/01/2025
Social Welfare writing consultant hosts Strengths Perspective workshop at Midwest Writing Centers Association Conference
School of Social Welfare professional writing consultant Joseph Bush hosted a writing workshop at the Midwest Writing Centers Association Conference from March 13-15 at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
Wed, 03/26/2025
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.
Tue, 03/25/2025
Social Work Career Spotlight: Crisis Services Specialist
Brett Barney, KU BSW 2021, works to help individuals with disabilities settle in homes and develop life skills. Learn more about their career path.
Tue, 03/18/2025
Social Welfare faculty awarded AAI Arts & Humanities Grant to expand art-based aging project
The Achievement & Assessment Institute (AAI) at the University of Kansas has awarded the 2024 AAI Art & Humanities Grant to Sarah Jen, associate professor in the School of Social Welfare, and Liz Langdon, a lecturer in the Department of Visual Art, for their project, “Untold Stories of Aging in Action — Revealed and Traveled.” The project’s aim is to create and document the influence of an art-based intervention among communities of older adults and intergenerational audiences.
Tue, 03/11/2025
Social work experts to present on family support, assessment
On March 25, the School hosts two free continuing education sessions at K-State Salina and online. The sessions are "Skillful Practice with High-Conflict Families" and "Assessing Family Well-Being."
Fri, 02/28/2025
Record-high research at KU benefits Kansans, fuels state economy
Research and development expenditures spanning all University of Kansas campuses increased to $546.1 million in fiscal year 2024, surpassing the half-billion-dollar mark for the first time in university history. The reverberations of that growth extend far beyond KU to benefit people throughout the Sunflower State and beyond.
Thu, 02/27/2025
Social Welfare raises over $43,600 on One Day One KU
The eighth annual One Day One KU set a new giving day record for the KU School of Social Welfare. Gifts will support social work students and education at KU.
Fri, 02/21/2025
Faculty research profile: Logan Shinkai Knight
Dr. Logan Shinkai Knight's research prioritizes survivor leadership and expertise for developing the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to address human trafficking. Her work on survivor resilience and altruism involves survivors in all stages of research from study design to dissemination.
Wed, 02/19/2025
Research finds local approaches to addressing domestic violence can guide international efforts
International policy organizations that aim to address social problems such as domestic violence tend to provide guidance, especially to developing nations, but more could be done to consider what they could learn from those on the ground.
Wed, 02/19/2025
Terry Koenig to receive KUIA Advisory Board International Research Award
In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the internationalization of research and education, Terry Koenig, professor of social welfare, will receive this year’s KU International Affairs Advisory Board International Research Award.
Fri, 02/14/2025
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.
Mon, 02/03/2025
Social Welfare's road trip in Kansas City highlights importance of community-engaged work
The KU School of Social Welfare collaborated with ACOSA to visit the KC Beehive and discuss the fight to house the homeless.
Mon, 02/03/2025
Panel event centers around mental health of young children
On Feb. 25, Grand Challenges for Social Work panel “Focus on 4s: Advancing Family Well-Being Through Data-Driven Interventions in Early Childhood Mental Health” will be available for free on Zoom with prior registration.
Tue, 01/28/2025
Research finds alternative anxiety, depression treatment for LGBTQ individuals shows results
A University of Kansas researcher analyzed results of an alternate treatment for LGBTQ individuals contained in “LGBTQI Workbook for CTI,” which is designed to help individuals who can’t access or have not had success with professional therapy.
Mon, 01/27/2025
Former Social Welfare associate professor of practice Dr. Renee White reflects on social work career
Dr. Renee White’s extensive career in social work that spanned over four decades included difficult conversations with people in need, door-knocking in unsafe situations and teaching the next generation of social workers.
Mon, 01/27/2025
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.
Mon, 01/27/2025
Spring research events address youth mental health, eco-social work, and occupational trauma
Three events this spring share research from the School of Social Welfare and its impact on practice and policy.
Tue, 01/21/2025
PhD Spotlight: Kortney Carr
Dr. Kortney Carr will tell you that her journey to social work is a surprising one. She got her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Central Missouri and didn’t see social work as her initial path. But Dr. Carr cites the wellness of Black men, trauma and hope as her scholarly interests.
Tue, 01/07/2025
KU Social Welfare faculty, researchers to present at SSWR 2025 conference
KU School of Social Welfare attendees will share their research in over 30 presentations, symposia, roundtable discussions and poster presentations. Their work covers a broad range of research areas, with topics including social movements, child welfare, LGBTQ+ activism, environmental justice, generational divides and more.
Wed, 12/18/2024
Student Spotlights: Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program
Gaining leadership experience, applying research to their day-to-day work, and building advocacy skills are some of the reasons KU DSW students give for joining the program. Watch video interviews with students about why they chose the online DSW at KU.
Wed, 12/18/2024
2024 Dean’s Recognition of Staff Excellence awarded to Vanessa Sanburn, Annie Handshy
Sanburn and Handshy’s commitment to the school’s well-being was evident as they provided guidance and responsiveness to help navigate challenges during the school year.
Mon, 12/16/2024
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.
Mon, 12/16/2024
Finding Community and Compassion: A look at Community Care Days at the School of Social Welfare
Each semester, a series of events aims to counter the strains of academic and personal duties.