News
Fri, 06/13/2025
Social Welfare associate professor awarded Keeler Intra-University Professorship for 2025-2026 academic year
Four KU faculty members have been awarded a Keeler Intra-University Professorship to participate in interdisciplinary work in the upcoming academic year.
Thu, 06/05/2025
PhD candidate to educate on body mapping as mental health tool
On June 17, KU School of Social Welfare will host a continuing education session on Zoom called "Bodymapping: A Tool for Understanding Secondary Occupational Trauma".
Wed, 05/28/2025
National conference presentation highlights KU DSW program
DSW Program Director Ed Scanlon highlighted the KU DSW program's focus on translating research to practice during a national conference presentation. “We build on what is called implementation science to help our graduates become leaders in community and agency settings as idea disseminators - people who translate research into practice," Scanlon said.
Fri, 05/23/2025
KU announces promotion and tenure for two Social Welfare faculty
Chancellor Douglas A. Girod has approved the promotion and award of tenure, where indicated, for 44 individuals at the University of Kansas Lawrence and Edwards campuses and 114 individuals at the KU Medical Center campus.
Thu, 05/22/2025
2024-2025 Margo Award Winners Announced
The Margo Awards are named for Margaret Schutz Gordon, Professor Emeritus who served with distinction as Professor and Director of Field Education at KU SSW from 1970 to 1983.
The KU School of Social Welfare is pleased to announce the following 2023-2024 Margo Award recipients:
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
Thanya Carlos-Calderon will graduate in spring of 2025 with her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, but her interest in supporting people began when she was in high school.
Tue, 05/13/2025
Graduating BSW Spotlight: Xavier Noriega
Xavier Noriega is a Bachelor of Social Work student at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare and will graduate in the spring. Noriega, who is a Toni Johnson Scholar, is excited about what is in front of him and wants to take the memories and knowledge gained from his social work degree and apply it to the real world.
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
Shaza Al-Kassim, a graduating senior in the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare’s Bachelor of Social Work program, found interest in the field through her curiosity for people.
Wed, 04/30/2025
Graduating BSW spotlight: Molly Madden
School of Social Welfare senior Molly Madden knew she wanted to go to the University of Kansas her entire life. Her mom and older sister went to Kansas. Madden didn’t even apply to other universities because “I’ve always been a Jayhawk.”
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.
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.