News
Wed, 12/17/2025
KU DSW graduates complete capstone projects
Eight students in the online Doctor of Social Work program defended capstone projects in summer and fall 2025, taking the final step to earn their doctoral degrees in social work. Learn more about the real-world solutions developed by the first cohort of KU DSW graduates.
Thu, 12/11/2025
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.
Wed, 12/10/2025
Community Care Days foster connection and creativity across the School of Social Welfare
At the School of Social Welfare, Community Care Days offer a welcome pause from the pressures of academics. The series gives students, faculty and staff a chance to recharge and connect with one another through scheduled events.
Fri, 11/21/2025
CAPS partnership provides in-house mental health support for KU social work and law students
An embedded clinician in Green Hall offers counseling appointments, drop-in support and workshops. KU’s schools of social welfare and law are partnering to provide expanded mental health support for their students.
Wed, 11/19/2025
New KU partnership dedicated to engaged fatherhood, family, financial stability
Researchers in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare have secured a grant to implement the Family Opportunity, Resilience, Grit, Engagement (FORGE) partnership in five northeast Kansas counties to promote healthy relationships, engaged fatherhood and family and financial stability.
Mon, 11/10/2025
Student Spotlight: Carl Willey
Carl Willey, a Master of Social Work student at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, was taught to treat others with kindness and to look out for people in need. He grew up in a small town in Parsons, Kansas, and wasn’t sure what his professional path was as an early adult.
Wed, 10/29/2025
KU Social Welfare's new home at Green Hall builds community
Creating a home base for KU social work students allows them to “see the breadth of things you can do in the social work profession,” said Michelle Carney, dean of the KU School of Social Welfare. Watch a video about the School's new home in Green Hall.
Tue, 10/28/2025
Faculty Research Spotlight: Kathryn Berringer
Berringer, an assistant professor at the KU School of Social Welfare, dedicates her research to exploring the relationships, paradoxes, and tensions inherent to the LGBTQ movement in the United States was sparked in her childhood, going to elementary school in Greenwich Village in New York City. She was interested in the gay liberation movement as it happened around her and, later, in the social movement’s intersections with social work.
Tue, 10/28/2025
Student Spotlight: Simranpreet Kandola
Kandola was selected as a recipient for the Do Good for Erin Langhofer Scholarship, named after a two-time graduate of the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare who had a bright future ahead of her when she was killed by a random act of gun violence. This was the first significant scholarship for which Kandola received an acceptance letter.
Fri, 10/10/2025
KU social work training program strengthens mental health workforce in rural Kansas
The Integrated Health Scholars Program (IHSP) at the KU School of Social Welfare recently received a $2.4 million award through the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program, funded by the Health Resources & Services Administration.
Mon, 10/06/2025
Social Welfare program found effective in helping reduce stress among child welfare service providers
The Resilience Alliance, an intervention for child welfare service providers in Kansas, was found to help reduce the secondary traumatic stress associated with working amid stressful family environments, according to University of Kansas researchers. They believe the findings can lead to reduced burnout among the workforce and lead to better service outcomes for families.
Mon, 09/29/2025
Social Welfare assistant professor selected as 2025-26 Spotlight on Faculty Excellence honoree
KU School of Social Welfare Assistant Professor Claire Willey-Sthapit is one of 12 University of Kansas faculty members selected as 2025-26 Spotlight on Faculty Excellence honorees. Willey-Sthapit, whose extensive research in Nepal highlights how people and communities deal with domestic violence, was honored during the KU volleyball game on Friday, Sept. 26.
Thu, 09/25/2025
Student Scholarship Spotlight: Rachel Teague
Rachel Teague is one of Social Welfare’s Do Good for Erin Langhofer Memorial Scholarship recipients for the 2025-2026 academic year. The scholarship was named after a two-time graduate of the School of Social Welfare, who had a bright future ahead of her as a practicing therapist in the Kansas City area, working with survivors of domestic violence, w
Mon, 09/22/2025
KU Spotlight on 2025-26 Faculty Excellence honorees includes Social Welfare assistant professor
The Spotlight on Faculty Excellence recognizes faculty contributions in research, scholarship and creative activity. Each honoree is recognized during a KU Athletics event.
Tue, 09/16/2025
Volunteer opportunity for students, staff with Cornerstones of Care to learn and build community
On Sept. 26, KUSSW faculty, staff, and students will travel to Cornerstones of Care’s Ozanam Campus in Kansas City, Mo. to volunteer and learn more about sustainability, healing green spaces and community development.
Tue, 09/16/2025
Panel to discuss social work in government
Three social workers holding office in different levels of government will discuss ethical social work practice in their positions.
Fri, 09/12/2025
KU Social Welfare community mourns passing of retired professor Renee White
Dr. Renee White joined KU as an associate professor of the practice in May 2022, bringing over four decades of social work experience to the classroom.
Tue, 09/09/2025
Assistant Professor presents on research concerning social work biases about Black men
In her dissertation, Dr. Kortney Carr explored social workers’ biases about Black men after finding in her own experience that she often needed to adjust her methods to meet the needs of this category of client.
Wed, 08/27/2025
Faculty Research Spotlight: Ricka Mammah
Social Welfare assistant professor Ricka Mammah's scholarship explores how social and systemic factors influence survivors’ help-seeking behaviors, access to support systems, and the specific forms of violence they encounter. Dr. Mammah’s dissertation investigates the experiences of African immigrant survivors of IPV in the United States, with particular attention to the role of informal social support networks.
Tue, 08/26/2025
Practicum Spotlight: Alison Diehl
Alison Diehl's practicum with the Wellness Counseling Center provided valuable experience toward her goals, allowing her to shadow an experienced provider while working her own caseload. Diehl graduated from the KU MSW program in May.
Tue, 08/26/2025
Social Welfare hires assistant professor who strives to help students become social work leaders
Dr. Kortney Carr joins the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare this fall as an assistant professor.
Tue, 08/26/2025
Social Welfare hires two new faculty members for 2025 fall semester
The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare hired two faculty members this fall. Sara Rust started as a senior lecturer and academic program associate, and Stuart Waldman started as a multiterm lecturer and academic program associate.
Tue, 08/26/2025
Social Welfare hires associate professor of practice, director of MSW program
Christopher J. Ward (Chris) joins the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare this fall as an associate professor of the practice and director of the Master of Social Work program.
Wed, 08/20/2025
Social Welfare selects 10 students for Toni Johnson Scholars Program in 2025-2026
The Toni Johnson Center for Racial and Social Justice selected 10 School of Social Welfare students to receive scholarships through the Toni Johnson Scholars Program.
Wed, 08/20/2025
2025-2026 Sigler Aging Scholars announced
The Sigler Family Aging Scholars Program is pleased to announce three scholarship recipients for the 2025-2026 academic year. ...
Tue, 07/29/2025
Professional to present on trauma management in K-12 schools
“Integrating trauma-informed practices in school can help foster an environment where all students have the opportunity to heal, grow, and reach their full potential,” said Roslyn Christopher, associate professor of the practice, of her Aug. 7 presentation.
Tue, 07/29/2025
Continuing education presentation to cover AI, technology in social work
“The increasing presence of artificial intelligence, social media, and other technologies in social work requires practitioners to understand their implications," said Christina Boyd, associate professor of the practice.
Wed, 07/23/2025
Practicum Spotlight: Callie Nichols
MSW alumni Callie Nichols discusses her experience in practicum with the School of Social Welfare.
Wed, 07/23/2025
2025 Dean's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching awarded to Sara Rust
2025 Dean's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching awarded to Sara Rust