News
Fri, 03/22/2024
Donors give $22,160 to KU Social Welfare during One Day One KU
The seventh annual One Day One KU set a giving day record for KU Social Welfare. On March 6, donors made 167 gifts totaling $22,160 to support social work education at KU.
Tue, 03/19/2024
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."
Fri, 03/08/2024
Traci Dotson is making connections through Toni Johnson Scholars Program
“The blessing of being in social work is that I’m surrounded by a bunch of social workers,” Dotson said. “We’re constantly reminding each other to give ourselves grace and practice self-care.”
Thu, 02/29/2024
Lauri Goheen is getting her MSW to find real solutions
Why social work? That’s a question Lauri Goheen has heard many times. The MSW student shares her motivation for pursuing a career in social work.
Thu, 02/29/2024
Social Welfare student to present at Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol
Kansas Undergraduate Research Day is intended to raise awareness of the research being conducted by undergraduate students at state universities.
Fri, 02/23/2024
Social work Grand Challenges event focuses on supporting older adults facing social isolation
The Grand Challenges for Social Work is an initiative within the social work profession to champion social progress around a series of grand challenges that the profession works to affect.
Fri, 02/16/2024
Olivia Sourivong is connecting with her community through Toni Johnson Scholars Program
Sourivong wanted to help people and feel connected to her community directly. She found that opportunity with the Toni Johnson Scholars Program, which supports BSW, MSW and PhD students in the KU School of Social Welfare who display a commitment to service and social justice.
Wed, 02/14/2024
KU scholars strive to advance racial equity through newly funded research projects
The project teams — representing five units across the university — were chosen through a peer-reviewed competition co-sponsored by the Office of Research and the Hall Center for the Humanities. They each will receive approximately $20,000 to support their work.
Mon, 02/05/2024
Study: International organizations take oversimplified approach to understanding domestic violence in Nepal
A new study from the University of Kansas has found that research reports written or sponsored by international organizations have often taken an oversimplified “cultural essentialist” approach to understanding domestic violence in Nepal.
Thu, 02/01/2024
Social welfare researcher Pegah Naemi Jimenez receives KU Research Achievement Award
Naemi Jimenez’s scholarship focuses on cross-system approaches and community-engaged research that addresses social problems experienced by children and families in marginalized communities.
Fri, 01/19/2024
KU Social Welfare community mourns passing of Professor Emeritus James Taylor
Dr. Taylor retired from the KU School of Social Welfare with emeritus status in 2002, after 26 years of service to the university. A memorial service is scheduled for Jan. 23.
Fri, 01/05/2024
KU Social Welfare faculty, researchers to present at SSWR 2024 conference
More than 30 faculty, researchers and students from the KU School of Social Welfare will have their work represented at the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) annual conference, happening Jan. 10-14.
Fri, 12/15/2023
DSW program welcomes first cohort of online students
The 23 students in the inaugural KU DSW class come from seven states and hold MSWs from 11 universities, including KU. Meet four students and learn about their career goals and reasons for choosing a DSW at KU.
Thu, 12/14/2023
Two KU Social Welfare students join state social work boards
Two KU social work students are representing their BSW peers on state boards of the National Association of Social Workers. Ella Hinson is on the NASW-Kansas board and Thomas Way is on the NASW-Missouri board.
Mon, 12/11/2023
Giving story: Reflecting on a career in social work
Meg Scott, BSW 1967, shares why she's giving back to the KU School of Social Welfare after her five-decade career in social work.
Thu, 12/07/2023
KU-led grant will empower underserved communities to address racial disparities in state's child welfare system
A new partnership led by the KU School of Social Welfare will empower members of underserved communities to identify and address the problems of racial bias and inequity in the child welfare system.
Tue, 12/05/2023
Study shows wealth does not ensure equal amounts of health across race, ethnicity
A recent study by Assistant Professor Sicong "Summer" Sun analyzes national data and reports of mental health and well-being. The study shows it takes more financial assets for people of color to have the same health outcomes as white Americans.
Thu, 11/16/2023
Integrated Health Scholars Program prepares graduates to serve Kansas and Missouri
In the nine years since its inception, the Integrated Health Scholars Program (IHSP) has prepared 246 graduates to provide integrated health care with underserved communities across the state of Kansas and into western Missouri.
Wed, 11/15/2023
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.
Wed, 11/08/2023
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, 11/07/2023
Research partnership shows parenting skills more effective at reuniting families
Researchers from KU’s School of Social Welfare worked with social service agencies in Oklahoma for more than 15 years to test several evidence-based interventions to enhance the safety, permanency and well-being of children and families affected by substance use.
Fri, 11/03/2023
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.
Wed, 10/18/2023
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.
Thu, 10/12/2023
Melinda Lewis promoted to full professor of the practice
Melinda Lewis earned a promotion to full professor of the practice. Lewis has been with the School of Social Welfare since 2013.
Mon, 10/02/2023
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.
Mon, 10/02/2023
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.
Mon, 10/02/2023
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, 09/26/2023
Haricombe Gallery to open new exhibit with events featuring KU scholars in association with Common Book Program
A new digital exhibit in Watson Library’s Haricombe Gallery will showcase KU scholars, centering the importance of imagination and visionary thought in cutting edge research. The exhibition, entitled “Pushing Boundaries with Science and Fiction,” is inspired by the KU Common Book Program’s 2023-2024 selection, “The Parable of the Sower,” a...
Wed, 09/20/2023
One year after Mahsa Jina Amini's death, KU researchers analyze social media responses in Iran
One year ago, Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Jina Amini was killed, setting off some of the largest protests in Iran’s recent history. A new study from the University of Kansas examines how social media has powered the protests and if the cause has shifted away from a women’s rights focus, like many before it.
Tue, 09/05/2023
Study examines role of religion in substance use services
People have turned to religion and spirituality to deal with crises and critical needs for centuries. A new publication from KU and Georgetown University explored the religious orientation of facilities within the substance use and addiction system of care.