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Featured News from KU Social Welfare

Améa Chandler, Jerilyn Smith receive Mignot Award for dedication to BSW student success

Audrey Cress receives 2026 Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching

Graphic of Rebeca Sandoval

Rebeca Sandoval receives Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching

Sandoval helps lead a partnership with Kansas State University to offer the MSW program in Salina. She received the 2025-2026 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching for excellence in teaching, online instruction, and professional advising for MSW students.

Student Stories: KU Social Work

MSW Student Spotlight: Brittany Bates

In her practicum at a rural mental health clinic, Bates observes and shadows mental health professionals across individual, group, and family therapy and mobile crisis services. She leads a psychoeducation group on communication while continuing to refine her interpersonal skills as she progresses into her clinical year. She is passionate about supporting underserved populations and improving access to mental health care.

Graduating Student Spotlight: Lily Shine

Lily Shine, who will graduate in May with her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, has made it a life mission to tackle homelessness.
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MSW student Travis Channell

Graduating Student Spotlight: Travis Channell

Get to know more about MSW student Travis Channell as he shares his thoughts ahead of graduation.
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Research Stories: KU Social Work

Social Welfare assistant professor receives KU International Affairs grant for research and collaboration abroad

From listening to labor advocates in Nigeria to tracking the physics of river mixing in Chile, KU researchers are expanding understanding across borders. KUIA has awarded $75,000 to 35 faculty and students engaged in projects spanning 23 countries.

KU researchers enhance training for the Kansas health care workforce to prevent substance use disorders

Researchers in the KU School of Social Welfare have updated training materials that prepare health care providers to prevent, identify and treat substance use disorders across Kansas. SBIRT — Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment — is an evidence-based approach to talking with people about their substance use.
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Graphic showing Cheryl Holmes and Dr. Brennan Miller

Cheryl Holmes and Brennan Miller receive Statland Award for Research Leadership

The Statland award recognizes two researchers for their commitment to community-engaged, partnership-driven projects that improve outcomes for communities across Kansas.
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Alumni Stories: KU Social Work

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.

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.
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Senna Hargett

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.
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Community Engagement Stories: KU Social Work

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.

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.
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Community Care Days

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.
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Giving Stories: KU Social Work

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.

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.
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KU School of Social Welfare staff hold thank you signs for One Day One KU

2026 One Day One KU raises over $42,800 for School of Social Welfare

Donations from One Day One KU will provide funds to students through scholarships, the Student Emergency Fund, and the Practicum Student Support Fund.
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Faculty & Staff Stories: KU Social Work

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.

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.
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Social Welfare assistant professor Kathryn Berringer

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.
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School of Social Welfare News

Rebeca Sandoval receives Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching

Sandoval helps lead a partnership with Kansas State University to offer the MSW program in Salina. She received the 2025-2026 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching for excellence in teaching, online instruction, and professional advising for MSW students.

Améa Chandler, Jerilyn Smith receive Mignot Award for dedication to BSW student success

Students in the Bachelor of Social Work program selected Améa Chandler, BSW retention coordinator, and Jerilyn Smith, adjunct instructor, for the 2025-2026 Mignot Award.

Audrey Cress receives 2026 Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching

Audrey Cress, who teaches in the Master of Social Work program, was recognized as a "thoughtful social worker and dynamic presenter leading with integrity."

Cheryl Holmes and Brennan Miller receive Statland Award for Research Leadership

The Statland award recognizes two researchers for their commitment to community-engaged, partnership-driven projects that improve outcomes for communities across Kansas.
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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.
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