News
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.
Fri, 12/13/2024
Social Welfare assistant professor wants research to inform future community organizing, social movements
For Tadeo Weiner Davis, urban politics and policy issues continue to be a focus for him as an assistant professor of social welfare at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. He dedicates his research to learning more about community organizing and social movements, urban politics, and the dynamics of race and class in urban settings.
Fri, 12/13/2024
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.
Thu, 12/12/2024
Adjunct Faculty Member honored at Council on Social Work Education for published article
Dr. Parker’s article, which was published in Volume 59 of the Journal of Social Work Education (JSWE), was chosen as the JSWE Best Conceptual Article of Volume 59.
Thu, 12/12/2024
Alumni Spotlight: Jennifer Ananda
Ananda is a first-generation college student, majoring in film and English as an undergraduate student at KU, where she participated in feminist activism and volunteered at a local domestic violence shelter.
Tue, 12/03/2024
MSW Spotlight: Shaye White
“I’ve always been set in stone in going back to my community,” White said. “I really want to help and there’s so much to be done. I see some things are still affecting us and I want to go help my people.”
Fri, 11/08/2024
BSW Student Spotlight: Manuel Turk
“I see social workers and veterans have some similarities, particularly in being resilient,” said Turk, who served in the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force. “There are a lot of things we have to deal with, and we don’t always have all the resources, so we do the best that we can with what we have available to us.”
Tue, 10/29/2024
Social Welfare Assistant Professor wants research to help children with mental illness
Whitney Grube focuses her research on community mental health, and children and teens experiencing serious emotional disturbances.
Wed, 10/23/2024
KU Social Welfare faculty, students honored with I AM First Too poster unveiling
The Achievement & Assessment Institute’s Center for Educational Opportunity Programs is hosting its sixth annual I Am First Too commemorative poster unveiling in honor of members of the KU community who have excelled as role models and advocates of first-generation student success.
Tue, 10/22/2024
KU Social Welfare faculty, researchers to present at CSWE 2024 Annual Program Meeting
Faculty and researchers will share their work during the annual conference on social work education, taking place Oct. 24-27 in Kansas City.
Mon, 09/30/2024
New KU Social Welfare research center focuses on health equity
A new research center in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare will elevate health-related research, training and collaboration. The Center for the Advancement of Health Equity is committed to improving health, behavioral health and long-term care systems, as well as promoting health equity and access.