Graduation
Thu, 05/15/2025
Graduating DSW Spotlight: Sharilyn Ray
Sharilyn Ray will be in the first cohort of students to graduate from KU's online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program. Ray, who is the founder and CEO at Restoration Family Services in Wichita, entered the program with decades of experience in social work.
Wed, 05/14/2025
Graduating BSW Spotlight: Thanya Carlos-Calderon
"I think our program, the students and the staff are very close-knit. It's been nice watching each other grow and learning from each other, learning from the professors," said Thanya Carlos-Calderon, a 2025 KU social work graduate.
Tue, 05/13/2025
Graduating BSW Spotlight: Xavier Noriega
"I think how caring the professors and adjuncts are toward students makes our program unique, especially in the higher education environment," said Xavier Noriega, a 2025 KU social work graduate.
Mon, 05/12/2025
Stars Align for Mother-Daughter Duo Graduating Together from School of Social Welfare
When Jerry McKay walks across the stage on May 16 to receive her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, she knows the moment will be emotional. But what makes it even more extraordinary is who’s walking the stage just before her — her youngest daughter, Jacquelyn McKay, earning the same degree.
Thu, 05/08/2025
Graduating BSW Spotlight: Shaza Al-Kassim
“Being able to be in a field where you can go the medical route, you can go the therapy route, you can go the school route, you can go the older adults route, children's route, international route. It's really a gateway degree where I feel like I'll never get bored and I'll never hit a wall," said Shaza Al-Kassim, a 2025 KU social work graduate.
Wed, 04/30/2025
Graduating BSW spotlight: Molly Madden
What stood out to Molly Madden about the KU social work program? “This class. I feel like we’ve all made a lot of good, solid friendships throughout our time and I just love that we’ve been able to become so close and know everyone’s stories and become that support system," Madden said.
Thu, 04/24/2025
Graduating DSW spotlight: Rebecca Beeler
Beeler, who is the director of social services at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, has a soft spot for her DSW cohort. She said their time together in the program is something she will always cherish. Beeler and the 2025 cohort will be the first to graduate from the DSW program.
Fri, 05/31/2024
Dr. Nancy Kepple awarded 2024 Suzanne and Harry Statland Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship
Dr. Kepple’s academic work delves into understanding the social ramifications of the availability, distribution, and utilization of psychoactive substances, particularly within the realm of child maltreatment.
Thu, 05/30/2024
Social Welfare students receive Do Good for Erin Langhofer Memorial Scholarship
The Do Good for Erin Langhofer Memorial Scholarship was named after a two-time graduate of the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare.
Thu, 05/30/2024
2023-2024 Margo Award Winners Announced
The KU School of Social Welfare is pleased to announce the following 2023-2024 Margo Award recipients.
Wed, 05/29/2024
2024 Dean's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching awarded to Nicole Gilmore
As an adjunct professor, Gilmore teaches undergraduate courses in topics such as interviewing skills and community and organizational dynamics, and at the MSW level, she teaches courses focused on human rights and social justice, trauma-informed care, and social work practice.
Wed, 05/29/2024
2024 Mignot Award granted to Joseph Bush
The 2024 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching and the Mignot Award was awarded to Joseph Bush, M.A., for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Wed, 05/29/2024
Michelle Levy awarded 2024 Suzanne & Harry Statland Research Staff Award
Levy has published and presented nationally and internationally. Her work includes leadership of a program that received the inaugural Academic Excellence Award from the American Public Human Services Association.
Wed, 05/29/2024
Dr. Renee White awarded 2024 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. White brings her decades of social work practice and teaching experience, deep commitment to social work values, and enthusiasm for building collaborative relationships to the KU School of Social Welfare’s MSW students at all levels.
Wed, 05/08/2024
Social Welfare alumni share graduation memories
“Change can be scary, but at the end of the day, it is good. Now that you've graduated, you can do a lot more things. And for social work especially, you can help a lot more people.”
Fri, 05/03/2024
Graduating Social Welfare students reflect on journey through program
Olivia Sourivong and Ella Hinson share the opportunities and the people they met through the School of Social Welfare.