News

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.

Thu, 08/31/2023

2023-2024 Sigler Aging Scholars announced

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare is pleased to announce the Sigler Aging Scholars Program has selected three students as the 2023-2024 Sigler Aging Scholars. ...

Thu, 07/13/2023

KU School of Social Welfare’s partnerships equip more social workers to serve rural Kansas

To help meet the great need for clinical social workers in Kansas’s underserved rural and frontier communities, the KU School of Social Welfare has launched a second master of social work partnership that will make it easier for students who live in rural communities to earn their MSW closer to home.

Fri, 07/07/2023

New Professor of Practice will support MSW partnership program in Salina

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare is excited to announce Rebeca Sandoval as the School’s newest professor of practice. Sandoval will start with the School this fall and teach in the new Master of Social Work program offering in Salina. The program is a partnership between Kansas State...

Thu, 06/22/2023

New Professor of Practice will support DSW program at the School of Social Welfare

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare is excited to announce Dr. Lisa Street as the School’s newest professor of practice. Street starts with the School this summer and will primarily teach in and support the new, fully online Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program, which begins this fall. ...

Mon, 06/19/2023

Kansas Families Are Benefiting from Family First Initiative

KU Evaluation Helps Guide Expanding Program Designed to Keep Kids in Their Homes and Out of Foster Care

Thu, 05/25/2023

New tenure-track faculty to start at School of Social Welfare for the 2023-2024 academic year

The University of Kansas School of Social Welfare is excited to announce two new tenure-track faculty. The new faculty bring with them innovative research knowledge and expertise to the School. Please take a moment to read more about our new scholars. ...

Mon, 05/22/2023

2023 Dean's Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching and Mignot Award Granted to Heather Bradley

The 2023 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching and the Mignot Award was awarded to Heather Bradley-Geary, M.S.W. for the 2022-2023 academic year. Heather is an adjunct professor and a field liaison for the KU School of Social Welfare. As an adjunct professor, Heather Bradley-Geary teaches undergraduate courses in...

Mon, 05/22/2023

Dr. Pegah Naemi Jimenez awarded 2023 Suzanne & Harry Statland Research Staff Award

For the first time ever this year, the School is proud to present a new annual award recognizing the outstanding research and scholarship work of research staff. The inaugural recipient of this award is Dr. Pegah Naemi Jimenez. ...

Mon, 05/22/2023

Dr. Juliana Carlson awarded 2023 Suzanne and Harry Statland Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship

To acknowledge outstanding contributions in our School to the advancement of science and knowledge through scholarship and research, we are proud to announce that this year’s Suzanne and Harry Statland Award recipient is Dr. Juliana Carlson. ...

Mon, 05/22/2023

Dr. Nancy Kepple awarded 2023 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching

The KU School of Social Welfare is pleased to announce the 2022-2023 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching. In recognition of contributions to students and the teaching mission in the KU School of Social Welfare, Dr. Nancy Kepple is honored with the Budig Award for Excellence...

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