News
Tue, 12/24/2024
Supporting Survivors of Partner Violence
Meredith Bagwell-Gray has seen the magic happen. When women who have experienced sexual abuse and intimate partner violence have a safe place to address their sexual trauma, they often begin to feel more empowered and in control of their sexuality. As a result, they are more likely to embrace positive...
Tue, 12/24/2024
Practicum Spotlight: Sophia Ostlund
"Utilize all the resources you're given at your practicum and even outside your practicum, like your teachers or practicum liaisons."
Tue, 12/24/2024
Alumni Spotlight: Chris Beal
“Sitting in on a lot of conferences over the years and getting to know a lot of different people with their struggles,” Beal said. “That's probably where the inspiration came from.”
Tue, 12/24/2024
Alumni Spotlight: Leslie Butsch
Leslie Butsch started her career as a direct social worker. In roles as a case manager and advocate within the foster care system and in a domestic violence shelter, Butsch said she began to see the gaps in the systems her clients interacted with.
Tue, 12/24/2024
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.
Tue, 12/24/2024
Alumni Spotlight: Ashley Williamson
Ashley Williamson graduated from KU’s Master of Social Work (MSW) with a specialization in social work macro practice program in 2017. Today, she works for an urban agricultural organization called The Giving Grove.
Tue, 12/24/2024
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.
Tue, 12/24/2024
Alumni Spotlight: Kelly Harrington
Kelly Harrington graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) with a macro specialization in 2016. Since then, Harrington has worked in program management and evaluation in areas including economic development and health.
Tue, 12/24/2024
Alumni Spotlight: Sheria Howard
Sheria Howard was a case worker for five years until the death of Michael Brown in 2014. She saw how the local government was handling the situation and wanted to bring change through policy.
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. Laura Ramirez, an associate professor and coordinator of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council, collaborated this year with Hazel Rogers, the new student support coordinator, to bring these events to life.
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.
Fri, 09/27/2024
Twente Hall Memories: Reflecting on 30 years
Professor Emeritus Ed Canda shares memories from three decades serving the School of Social Welfare in Twente Hall.
Fri, 09/27/2024
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.
Fri, 09/20/2024
Twente Hall Memories: The orange office
Lori Messinger shares: "When I moved into Twente Hall as the director of the BSW Program, they told me I could pick my paint color. Because they gave me no parameters, I picked an adobe orange."
Fri, 09/20/2024
Twente Hall Memories: It's about the people
Freda Herrington shares: "My memories of Twente Hall are animated by the relationships I was so fortunate to have with those who studied, taught, researched, and worked within its halls."
Fri, 09/20/2024
Twente Hall Memories: Why the Cold Duck?
Bradford Sheafor shares why a bottle of inexpensive bubbles helped welcome the School of Social Welfare to Twente Hall.
Mon, 09/16/2024
School of Social Welfare to move out of Twente Hall
The School will move from Twente Hall to Green Hall at the end of the fall 2024 semester.
Mon, 09/16/2024
Social Welfare professor of practice receives teaching award from University
The University of Kansas is proud to announce 16 faculty members from the Lawrence and KU Medical Center campuses as recipients of KU’s annual teaching awards.