Stories


Featured News from KU Social Welfare

Why pursue a DSW at KU? Hear from current students
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.



Student Stories: KU Social Work



“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.”
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.
MSW student 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.”

Research Stories: KU Social Work



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.
Whitney Grube focuses her research on community mental health, and children and teens experiencing serious emotional disturbances.
Meredith-Bagwell Gray

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...

Alumni Stories: KU Social Work



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.
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.
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.”

Community Engagement Stories: KU Social Work



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.
Scholars for racial and social justice receive mentoring and professional development opportunities dedicated to enhancing community, retention and success.
Community Care Days at the KU 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.

Giving Stories: KU Social Work



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.
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.
Flowers bloom in front of the School of Social Welfare building at the University of Kansas
The planned gift, estimated to be over $1 million, will primarily provide scholarships to future KU social work students.

Faculty & Staff Stories: KU Social Work



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.
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.
Vanessa Sanburn (left) and Annie Handshy (right)
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.

School of Social Welfare News

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...

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."

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.”

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.

Follow KU Social Welfare

Study Social Work at KU

KU's School of Social Welfare offers social work degree programs at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels: BSW, MSW, DSW and PhD. Learn more.