News
School of Social Work Mourns the Loss of Sen. Jerry Relph
MSW Students Get Letters to the Editor Published

2020 CSWE-APM

SSW Response to George Floyd Tragedy

Spring 2020 DSW Professional Notes

Spring 2020 Professional Notes
Announcing the Director of the School of Social Work

SSW BSW and MSW Programs Receive Accreditation Approval from CSWE

Fall 2019 Professional Notes

MN Declared an Age-Friendly State

St. Thomas Announces Morrison Family College of Health
Dr. Julie Sullivan today announced the naming of the Morrison Family College of Health, following a landmark gift from John M. Morrison and Susan Schmid Morrison. We also welcome Dr. MayKao Hang to St. Thomas full time as Morrison Family Chair, vice president and founding dean of the College of Health.

President Sullivan, College of Health Dean Hang Speak at Manova Summit
Dr. MayKao Hang shares her vision of the College of Health. View her presentation»

2019 CSWE-APM

Summer 2019

St. Thomas Announces Founding Dean for College of Health
The University of St. Thomas today announced Dr. MayKao Y. Hang has been appointed vice president and founding dean of its College of Health. The college is currently comprised of the university’s existing School of Social Work and Graduate School of Professional Psychology. The university also is moving forward with plans to create a nursing school that will be housed within the college.

DSW Grant Writing Success

2019 Recipient of Dr. Barbara W. Shank Endowed Scholarship

DSW student selected to United State of Women Ambassadors

Answering the Call: Social Work Alumni Step up and Serve
3 BSW alumni who came to office in 2018 share their stories about social work’s power to prepare public servants who truly embody the role: servant to the public (Paul Schnell ’88 BSW, Minnesota Department of Corrections commissioner; Angela Conley ‘13 BSW, Hennepin County commissioner; and Ikram Koliso ’17 BSW, policy associate for the city of St. Paul)

Slideshow honors 50 years of history

Shank receives NASW-MN Lifetime Achievement Award

Social Work HEALS Co-Hosts Policy Event

SSW Faculty Professional Notes - Spring '19

Ande Nesmith Awarded Fulbright Grant While on Sabbatical
Fulbright enabled Nesmith to expand her examination of the Czech experience of young people leaving institutional care, such as foster care homes, while developing long-term partnerships with Czech experts in the field of substitute family care.

DSW Faculty News


Spring 2019

School of Social Work Marks First Doctoral Dissertation Defenses
This year’s graduating DSW cohort marked the first fulfilling the new degree requirement to defend their banded dissertations in an online, public format

Faculty and Staff Take Part in Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (SEED) Training
Eva Solomonson, BSW field director, will join this summer's week-long facilitator training. Eva shares, "At St. Thomas, we view SEED as part of our campus-wide work combatting bias and systemic racism and oppressions related to gender, sexual orientation, religion, social class, or based on any systemically marginalized identities."

Alum Receives Embracing Our Differences Award

DSW Students Serve on CSWE National Task Force

Record Level of Gero-Education & Awareness

Phi Alpha Beta Epsilon Honor Society Induction Ceremony

IPC Accolades

Lisa Dutton Named St. Catherine University Dean of Health Sciences
St. Catherine University announced that Lisa Dutton, PT, PhD, has been selected as the Dean of Health Sciences in the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health (HSSH).

DSW Well-Represented at 2019 BPD

DSW Alum Dually Honored
Building a System of Health

Schnell named commissioner by incoming Governor Walz
Congratulations to incoming Department of Corrections Commissioner, Paul Schnell, BSW '88 alum, long-time adjunct faculty member - and Super Social Worker!

PROGRAMS JOIN FORCES TO DRIVE ADVOCACY OUTCOMES

SSW Faculty Professional Notes - Fall '18

AEA SCHOLARS LAUNCH NEWSLETTER AND SPRING PLANNING

2018-19 SOCIAL WORK HEALS SCHOLARS


Interprofessional Lens on Domestic Violence

Faculty Development Through Community Engagement

DSW Alum receives Women United Tribute

TEN YEARS OF SUPPORT FOR OPEN BASKETS

2018 CSWE-APM

St. Thomas awarded grant, assistance to encourage young voting
The Campus Engagement Election Project selected St. Thomas School of Social Work associate professor Katharine Hill to receive funding to host CEEP fellows this year to help encourage young people to vote.

Office of Academic Affairs and Faculty Development Center Award Competitive Grants
Dr. Katharine Hill is a recipient of the Distinguished Early Career Grant, which she will use to conduct research in nonpartisan voter engagement

St. Thomas’ Hill Awarded Fellow Support to Get Out the Vote
The Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP) selected School of Social Work associate professor Katharine Hill to receive funding to host a CEEP fellow this year to help encourage young people to get out and vote.

Social Work Remains William Wong’s Primary Identity Even as He Explores Its Many Dimensions
Will Wong DSW '17, is profiled by the California Social Work Education Center about his career in child welfare

Military Practice Scholars Present at National Conference

Congratulations to DSW alum Stephanie Grant

School of Social Work Broadens Scope of Health at Annual Conference
More than 200 educators, students, social workers and health care practitioners gathered on Aug. 7 for the seventh annual Summit on Emerging Issues in Social Work Practice, “Healthy Communities: Broadening the Lens of Healthcare, Equity and Policy.”

Trinity Christian professor incorporates animals, nature in social worker courses
Article highlights DSW '17 alum Cini Bretzlaff-Holstein, who is encouraging her students to also incorporate animals and the environment in their interactions with future clients

DSW Student Receives CSWE Honors

DSW Students Complete 2018 Summer Residency

Vang appointed to MN-BOSW
Congratulations to Associate Professor Pa Der Vang, who has been appointed by Governor Dayton to the Minnesota Board of Social Work!

Expanding Study Abroad Opportunities
Congratulations to Leah Prussia, DSW cohort 3
St. Kate's - St. Thomas Partnership
Opening Doors

Of the Community

CONGRATULATIONS DSW COHORT 2!

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2018!

Theresa McPartlin featured in Field Educator
Theresa Kelly McPartlin was named winner of the 2017 Heart of Social Work Award at CSWE-APM in Dallas, TX, in October, 2017. The Spring 2018 edition of Field Educator features her nomination letter by Carey Winkler

BSW alum appointed to Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC)
Mayor Carter's "unconventional St. Paul pick for Airports Commission" is our own Ikram Koliso, BSW '17!

SSW Faculty Professional Notes - Spring 2018

2018 Field Instructors of the Year

DSW student scholarship - Spring 2018

DSW Alums Keep Up the Collaboration

Making and Sustaining Change from Psychotherapy: A Mixed Methods Study

Aging Services Coordinator featured in "Interdisciplinary teams a growing area of training"
Tanya Rand and our work in interdisplinary education is featured in this April NASW news article on Social Work Education!

UST Faculty Research Grant Award

Faculty Member Awarded Fulbright

Washburn fellowship program aims to close the mental health provider gap
St. Kate's - St. Thomas MSW student, Keodora Moua, is featured in this article about Washburn Center for Children's new Pathways program, a fellowship designed to support people of color interested in completing mental health degrees!

SSW Well-Represented at 2018 BPD

Dr. Katharine Hill Receives 2018 Campus Compact Award
BSW Program Director Katharine Hill is being recognized for the President’s Civic Engagement Stewardship Award as a UST faculty member who has “significantly advanced their campus’ distinctive civic mission by forming strong partnerships, supporting others’ civic engagement and working to institutionalize a culture and practice of engagement"
Happy, Healthy, and Empowered in Love
During February, in honor of Valentine's Day, Oxford University Press has published Dr. Marrs Fuchsel’s blog on their website: a series on Healthy Relationships. Check out her writing as well as other material on healthy relationships»

Immigrants & Refugees 101: A Roadmap for Effective Helping
On Feb. 7, the MSW Area of Emphasis in Practice with Immigrants & Refugees (AEIR) scholars hosted a panel discussion and conversation around fundamental topics relating to working with immigrant and refugee clients. A collection of resources is now available»

Phi Alpha Beta Epsilon Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Fall 2017 Dean's List

JANE HURLEY JOHNCOX: PAVING A PATH TO LICENSURE

St. Kate’s signs on to partnership with Minneapolis Community & Technical College and St. Paul College
Social Work is one of a handful of majors included in the first phase of the St. Kate's Complete partnership agreements with St. Paul College and MCTC, which will provide a seamless transition to our four-year BSW degree.

MACRO-INFORMED PRACTICE: THE MAPPING SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECT

Pa Der Vang makes history at Hmong New Year Celebration
Vang was asked to perform the ribbon-cutting to officially open the 39th annual Minnesota Hmong New Year Celebration and to give the keynote address. She was chosen as an ambassador to advance the United Hmong Family, Inc.'s vision to promote and honor Hmong Women's Leadership.

SSW Faculty Professional Notes - Fall 2017

Teaching Environmental Justice Across the Social Work Curriculum

Social Work HEALS Scholars

Professor’s fieldwork culminates in e-book for immigrant women
Associate professor Catherine Marrs Fuchsel recently published Sí, Yo Puedo, a step-by-step program to aid bilingual Spanish-English mental health professionals in their work with immigrant women who have been domestically assaulted. Newswire article»

LEGACY OF CARING: WHEN SOCIAL WORK RUNS IN THE FAMILY.

BSWs Have Impact as Student Mentors

The Social Worker at the Front Line of Dougherty Family College

DSW student scholarship - Fall 2017

Bearing Good News to MERC-eligible Field Sites

Dr. Toft presides over first NASW-MN Town Hall

Social Work Professor Publishes, "Sí, Yo Puedo"

2017 CSWE-APM PRESENTATIONS

Professor Emerita and IPC field instructor receives national recognition

DSW student receives Outstanding Service Award

Alumna receives Veterans’ Voices “On the Rise” Award
DACA Statement and Resources


A Letter to All Social Workers

Sixth annual social work summit focuses on diversity gap in workforce
2017 Field Practice Institute Summit focused on social justice in action, “Creating Pathways to a Diverse Workforce."

DSW Student a Returning CSWE Minority Fellow

DSW Alum Publishes in Encyclopedia of Social Work

DSW Students Complete 2017 Summer Residency

Social Work Students Empower Homeless Community to Vote
Dr. Katharine Hill's classes put policy into practice

Become a Student Mentor!

New Two-Year College Expands Access for Underserved Communities

Jane Hurley Johncox selected as ASWB Path to Licensure Institute scholar

Congratulations DSW Cohort 1, Class of 2017!

The House that Shank Built
Dean Shank's 40 years of service and leadership in the School of Social Work is highlighted in this St. Thomas Magazine article.

Congratulations Katharine!

SSW Faculty Professional Notes - Spring 2017

Ikram Koliso: We all do better, when we all do better
Ikram Koliso BSW '17, one of six Valedictorians in this year's graduating class, earned a standing ovation from the audience for her commencement speech at the St. Catherine University College for Women ceremony Sunday

University honors staff, faculty and trustees during commencement ceremonies
Carol Kuechler was commended for serving as the first program director of the Doctor of Social Work program that was launched in 2014...
...professor emeriti honors were bestowed on Mary Ann Brenden...Brenden was honored as a passionate teacher who prepares students for engaged, ethical citizenship and participation in the profession, community, and world with an emphasis on social justice.

Social Work Dean Receives Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Barbara Shank, who is retiring as dean of the School of Social Work at St. Thomas and St. Catherine, received the St. Thomas Distinguished Service Award Saturday at graduate commencement exercises.

Hannah Rudkin BSW '17 featured in Senior Strides
The Newsroom kicks off its series of stories about seniors and their plans for after graduation with Hannah Rudkin, a social work major with a Spanish minor, who plans to put both areas of her study to use as full-time international volunteer at NPH Mexico.

School of Social Work Announces Incoming Program Leadership Team

Advocacy 101


2017 Alumnae Award winners showcase St. Kate's graduates making a difference
Congratulations to MSW alumna Carmeann Foster, MSW/JD ’12, 2017 recipient of St. Catherine University’s prestigious Rising Star Award!

Ikram Koliso BSW '17 receives St. Catherine University's "most prestigious award"
Ikram, a Social Work HEALS scholar and member of the Phi Alpha National Social Work Honor Society, received the Mary E. McCahill Award, which is presented annually to a senior who has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership, academic excellence, loyalty and service to the University. Congratulations Ikram!

DSW student speaks at Social Work Day at the United Nations

Rachel Lloyd kicks up dust around campus
Michelle Mullowney shares students' perspectives on anti-sex trafficking advocate Rachel Lloyd's visit as St. Kate's 2017 Bonnie Jean Kelly and Joan Kelly Distinguished Visiting Scholar, April 4 & 5
Dr. Corrine Carvalho to Serve as Interim Dean in the School of Social Work
Dr. Carvalho currently serves as executive adviser to the president at the University of St. Thomas. She is also the proud parent of a St. Kate's - St. Thomas BSW graduate.
BSW student Kalley Thurner shares highlights of Feminist Bootcamp

2017 Kelly Scholar Rachel Lloyd asks audience to “get real”
Anti-trafficking advocate Rachel Lloyd discussed the root causes of human trafficking and how to address them in a riveting lecture that concluded the 2017 Bonnie Jean Kelly and Joan Kelly Distinguished Scholar in Residence program. The SSW was proud to coordinate Rachel's visit and promote her message of support for ALL social justice issues and services that support vulnerable communities.

St. Thomas Is First in Minnesota Named Changemaker Campus
The University of St. Thomas has received the distinctive honor of being named a Changemaker Campus by Ashoka U, a global consortium working to inspire a culture of social innovation in higher education. St. Thomas becomes the first in MN and the 40th Changemaker Campus in the consortium.

2017 NASW-MN Social Work Day at the Capitol

Faculty member highlighted in Shorthorn News article

2017 Social Work HEALS Policy Summit

Congratulations Randy Herman!

School of Social Work Dean Barbara Shank to Retire After 40 Years
Yesterday, Dean Barbara Shank announced her intention to step down as Dean at the end of the spring semester. We hope you will join us in congratulating her and wishing her the best in her “retirement” (because we all know she will continue to contribute to the School and the profession for many, many years to come)!

Phi Alpha Beta Epsilon Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Diverse voices at the Capitol: St. Kate's students secure policy internships
Shaunequa James ’17 is one of two St. Kate's students selected for the Minnesota Capitol Pathways internship, aimed at diversifying state policymaking. The social work major was paired with NAMI-MN for the internship.

Can Social Workers Change Policing?

The Diversity Social Work Advancement Program

Field Practice Institute Summit on Emerging Issues in Social Work Practice

2016 Room at the Table: Jessica Toft

2016 Room at the Table: Katharine Hill

2016 Room at the Table: Justin Terrell

DSW UPDATE

Quality of Life Improvements for Children with Disabilities in Zambia

Dean Shank Expands Her International Service

AEMP Scholar Receives On the Rise Award

Congratulations Pa Der!

Mary Ann Brenden publishes Our Lady of Victory Chapel: Monument - Mystery - Mission
Brenden’s story, illustrated by numerous photos, was produced by St. Catherine University and proceeds from the book will support preservation of the Chapel. Learn more and order the book at the Chapel book site.

Executive Director of GiveMN to teach spring '17

DSW student named 2016 NASW-NJ Social Worker of the Year

Food for Thought
Prof. Katharine Hill highlighted in this St. Kate’s magazine article about students tackling global food issues in their quest to become ethical and socially responsible leaders

Fletcher publishes chapter on "Older Veterans"

MSW to offer Corporate Partner Grants in 2017

How Well Does Minnesota Welcome Refugees?
Emily Titus BSW '16, with the help of associate professor Ande Nesmith and a Collaborative Inquiry Grant, set out to find an answer. She outlined the barriers for refugees and how they can be overcome.

Welcome Kingsley
DSW Student Earns CSWE Doctoral Fellowship
Rebecca Hoffman, DSW class of 2018, appointed to tenure-track position with Bemidji State (BSU)
Rebecca has been employed with BSU since 2014 as a fixed-term faculty member and prior to that served as an Adjunct since 2010. As Assistant Professor of Social Work she will serve as the Director of Field Education and teach macro social work practice courses.

DSW Students Complete 2016 Summer Residency
Cohort 1 DSW student, Susan Schmidt, joins Luther College in 2016-17
Susan Schmidt, DSW class of 2017, has accepted a position as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Social Work at Luther College in Iowa. Congratulations Susan!
Congratulations to Sky Smith, DSW class of 2018!
Sky has been appointed as an Assistant Professor in the MSW program at Mankato State starting in fall 2016.

Healing Veterans Through Hockey

DSW Students Earn Valuable Fellowship

School Well-Represented at NASW-MN Annual Conference

Master of Social Work Alumni Making Their Mark on Minnesota Adoption
MSW alumnae Emily Alewine ’08 and Rachel Walstad ’93, work for MN Adopt, a St. Paul-based organization that provides support services for adoptive families of all kinds in MN. These days, Walstad (MN Adopt’s executive director) and Alewine (MN Adopt’s HELP program manager and clinical specialist) are changing their organization’s way of operating. In recent years MN Adopt has expanded beyond its original focus of just foster care advocacy and support – and may now lead the entire nation forward with a new model for adoptive services.

Congratulations Graduates!

2016 Field Appreciation Workshop and Luncheon

Students Honored by Center for Women

MSW alumna receives 2016 Bush Fellowship
Carmeann Foster MSW '12, our first Dual Degree MSW/JD graduate, will use grant to further her goal of reducing the number of black youth in the juvenile justice system.

Dean Shank to Receive Significant Lifetime Achievement Award

Celebrating Social Work Month

Four Social Work Faculty Receive Tenure in 2016

Marcus Kuboy, MSW '15 and AEMP scholar, profiled by KSTP
Marcus, an Area of Emphasis in Military Practice (AEMP) Scholar and 2015 NASW-MN Graduate Student of the Year, highlights his call to social work in "Injured Minnesota Soldier Helps Vets Get Lives on Track"

BSW student and veteran Andrew Qualy highlighted on NBC Sports

Students attend policy summit: Social Work HEALS program offers training in health care delivery
As one of 10 schools that received the Social Work HEALS grant in 2015, four St. Kate's - St. Thomas students attended this policy summit in October - a phenomenal experience!

Controlling behavior a sign of abuse
As one who studies domestic violence, Dr. Marrs Fuchsel was asked to comment on the recent slaying of a woman in Plymouth by her partner. Read story»

2016 Phi Alpha Beta Epsilon Induction Ceremony

Congratulations Pa Der!
Dr. Pa Der Vang was nominated and accepted into the James P. Shannon Leadership Institute for the February 2016 Cohort.

Social Work and Health Care Initiative Launched

Prof. Katharine Hill and Sarah Breyette, MSW '14, publish in Journal of Technology in Human Services
Article titled, "The Impact of Electronic Communication and Social Media on Child Welfare Practice."

Loan-forgiveness program encourages mental health professionals to work in underserved areas
Beginning this year, mental health professionals have been added to the Minnesota Loan Forgiveness Program, which was developed to ease the debt burden of health-care workers and encourage them to work in an underserved area of the state.

NEW Fundraising Course to be Offered in Spring

Criminal to victim: Changing perceptions in human trafficking
The SSW's 2015 Room at the Table event focused on our annual theme of Justice for Victims of Human Trafficking with "Trafficking in Minnesota: Protecting Sexually Exploited Youth"

MSWSA Open Baskets Volunteer Day a Huge Success!

Professor’s curriculum project empowers women on the fringes
Associate Professor of Social Work Catherine Marrs Fuchsel has found her life’s calling addressing the needs of some of society’s most vulnerable women: Latinas living in the U.S. with no immigration status, unfamiliar with the language and culture and being physically and verbally abused by an intimate partner.

Exhibit, Film Screening & Discussion in Honor of Veteran's Day

Dean Shank inducted into the NASW Social Work Pioneers
Preparing for the Silver Tsunami
MSW Field Director Lisa Richardson and others share how St. Kate’s is preparing students in numerous disciplines to meet the needs of the “silver tsunami” — and in ways that focus on the strengths, not just the disabilities, of older people.

Three BSW Students Present at Oct. 6 Inquiry at UST Poster Session

Social Work students register over 100 campus voters

"Sí, Yo Puedo Curricula" Accepted for Publication

School of Social Work Video to Premiere at October 2 Milestones Celebration

Finding Meaning in Military Social Work
From Exemplars, a publication of the Grants and Research Office.
Therapeutic Riding Program Inspires AEMP Scholars

Social Work Summit Tackles Trafficking in Minnesota
On August 4, the SSW Field Practice Institute held their fourth annual Summit on Emerging Issues in Social Work Practice. The event tackled "Trafficking in Minnesota" and highlighted the perspectives of survivors, practitioners, organizations, policy makers, and law enforcement.

DSW Students Complete their 2015 On-campus Residency

NASW-MN 2015: Well-done!

Dean Shank Re-Elected as CSWE Board Chair

Congratulations Class of 2015!

Florence Wright, MSW '15, Receives Post-Graduate Fellowship in Palliative Care at UMN Fairview

George Baboila and IPC Colleagues Present at Conference on Clinical Legal Education

CSWE and NASW Award Ten Universities with a New Scholarship Program
St. Kate's - St. Thomas is proud to be the only private school selected to participate in the HEALS program, which will be used to educate and train social workers to improve delivery of health care in the United States.

St. Kate's - St. Thomas Selected for Social Work and Health Care Initiative

DSW Leaders and Students Present at the Social Work Distance Education Conference

Putting the Pieces Together
UST NEWSROOM article about Dr. Ande Nesmith’s three-year research study on youth transitioning out of foster care and her collaboration with a total of 7 social work students during the life of the project

DSW Student Will Wong Puts Child Advocacy in the Spotlight with Wednesday's Child

MSWSA Student Justice Initiative (SJI) in support of Justice 4 All
Marilyn Cooper, MSW '04, featured as a Case Manager who makes a difference in Catholic Charities' March/April VOICE publication
..."when [Ruth] looks at her case manager a slight smile forms on her face and she utters three simple, yet powerful words. "I am thankful."

Catherine Marrs Fuchsel, MSW, PhD, LCSW, LICSW, awarded tenure at St. Kate's

The Healing Power of Poetry: Empowering Disenfranchised Youth through Self-Expression

Prof. Ande Nesmith and three student/alums publish in Child & Family Social Work

Prof. Marrs Fuchsel and RA, Leigh Hartenberg, attend Ntl Health & Domestic Violence Conference

Erica Gerrity, MSW '05, and her organization, Isis Rising, featured in UST Newsroom article and accompanying video
"The Power of Restorative Love: Supporting Moms in Prison"

2015 BSW Poster Sessions Highlight the Diversity and Impact of Field Education Placements

AEIR Scholars Host Screening of "Documented" and Discussion Facilitated by Mesa Latina

Lauren Olson and Prof. Hill awarded Partnership-in-Learning grant

Alumni Share Tips on How to "Navigate the System"

Prof. Pa Der Vang testifies at the MN Senate

Social work student, Comfort Dondo, testifies in support of FAIM

AEIR Scholars drew a full house for their first event, "What is International Social Work?"
State panel calls for bold action to fill critical shortage of mental health workers
This front-page Star Tribune article highlights the work of the Mental Health Workforce Summit workgroup, which Dean Barbara Shank and Director of MSW Field Education, Lisa Richardson, sat on during the past year representing the MN Private College Council

The Interprofessional Education (IPE) Project at Carondelet Village

Interprofessional Collaboration a Major Theme of Inaugural PiP Forum Focused on ACA

The Interprofessional Center for Counseling & Legal Svcs: a Model of Interprofessional Collaboration

Interprofessional Collaboration: a Theme at the Annual Summit on Emerging Issues in SW Practice

Catherine Marrs Fuchsel has articles accepted for publication

Professor Ande Nesmith publishes in Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
Ande's article, "Factors Influencing the Regularity of Parental Visits with Children in Foster Care," can be viewed and downloaded on the Springer Press website.

Prof. Pa Der Vang's "Bridging the Generations" article featured in Asian American Press
In it, she describes the “Intergenerational Retreat,” a two day event that brought Hmong men and women together to discuss gender issues within the family system and in the community to learn to be more intentional about addressing intergenerational conflict.
Erica Gerrity, MSW '05 alumna and Program Director of the Isis Rising prison doula program, featured in Women's Press for her work as a "changemaker"
Erica was a leader in the coalition to pass legislation to support pregnant women and new mothers in Minnesota prisons and jails that went into effect July 1. Congratulations!

Beta Epsilon partners with international students to help Second Harvest Heartland
School of Social Work awarded the 2014 UST Women’s History Project grant

MSW Student, Carl White's, story of "Learning a New Way to Live, With Pain" featured on Sharing Mayo Clinic site
Carl White is completing his master's of social work and has a job as a health unit coordinator at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Mary's Campus. Read about his journey since 2009, when he was consumed by chronic pain from two accidents, and how far he's come since being referred to Mayo's Pain Rehabilitation Center.

Check-out the UST TEDx Talk from Kasim Abdur Razzaq, '09 MSW!

Congratulations! Dr. Lance Peterson's article achieves "most read" status

‘Allowing Spirituality in the Room.' Newsroom article about Richelle Amundson's, '14 MSW, clinical research project focused on the role of spirituality in post-traumatic growth after sexual assault.
As Richelle Amundson ’14 M.S.W. began to explore topics for her clinical research project, a requirement of her final year in the Master of Social Work program, she recalled her volunteer experience at the Center for Victims of Torture, which included working with many women who had experienced rape. This problem prompted Amundson to ask: Can spirituality help people build those relationships needed to heal?

School of Social Work well-represented at the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) - APM

Prof. Felicia Sy recognized at CSWE as a Social Work Education Mentor
Professor Emerita, Angeline Barretta-Herman, PhD, publishes article in International Social Work
The changing status and growth of social work education worldwide: Process, findings and implications of the IASSW 2010 census
Prof. Pa Der Vang publishes "Hmong and Acculturation" chapter in Acculturation: Psychology, Processes and Global Perspectives.
Vang, P.D. (2014). Hmong and Acculturation (pp. 115-136). In Jack Merton (Ed.) Acculturation: Psychology, Processes and Global Perspectives. NY: Nova Publishers.
Prof. Pa Der Vang publishes,"Teenage marriage among Hmong American women" in the Journal of Human Behavior and the Social Environment
Vang, P.D., & Her, P. (2014). Teenage marriage among Hmong American women. Journal of Human Behavior and the Social Environment, 24, 138-155.s

School of Social Work to Offer Two New Minors this Fall

Sept. 26 Book Release Party for Alumna Rachel Murr at Open Book in Minneapolis

DSW LAUNCHED!

Congratulations to Field Instructor, Cheryl Leavitt, for being named Minnesota School Social Worker of the Year!
Cheryl has been a school social worker in the Minneapolis Public Schools for 14 years. Her award will be presented at the Minnesota SSW conference on November 3rd in St. Paul.

Pioneer Press highlights Margaret Kelly,'09 MSW, and her "food truck church"
MSW alumna, Margaret Kelly, is an ordained Lutheran pastor. Her vision of "radical hospitality" has come to life as a "church on wheels that drives to where people are, offering free food and prayer to the poor, homeless and near-homeless."

2014 Field Practice Institute Summit highlighted mental health in educational settings

List of MN's "Hottest Graduate-Level Careers" top-heavy in areas of clinical social work practice
Prof. Lance Peterson publishes article in Journal of Family Social Work
Perceived Admiration and Transition to Parenthood for Black and White Married Couples

Congratulations to School of Social Work honorees at the NASW-MN Annual Conference

Sarah Ferguson, Ph.D. and Nora Smyth, BSW '14, present at NASW-MN

Congratulations School of Social Work Award Winners

Working Toward "A Minnesota Without Poverty"

School of Social Work Faculty Professional Notes - Spring 2014

Perspectives alumni notes: Kenyon Youth Center update
School of Social Work Ranked in the Top 25 percent by U.S. News & World Report

Fatai Popoola, MSW '14, Delivers St. Kate's Graduate Welcome Address

Dean Shank Gives St. Kate's 2014 Graduate Commencement Address
Dean Barbara Shank gave the Graduate Commencement Address at St. Kate's on May 23, 2014
Prof. Lance Peterson published in Journal of Technology in Human Services.
Using Technology in Peer Role-Play Assignments to Enhance Competency in Clinical Dyadic Treatment: A Pilot Study

School of Social Work launches DSW program
Sondra Payne Elizondo, BSW '92, named UST Humanitarian of the Year
Sondra Payne Elizondo, a Benson, Minn., native, is University of St. Thomas Humanitarian of the Year for her contributions to the betterment of the spiritual and material welfare of the less fortunate. She is co-founder and director of VIDA (Volunteers for Intercultural and Definitive Adventures), a nonprofit volunteer program which offers pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary college students the chance to work with local doctors in underserved areas of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
Felicia Sy, Ph.D., receives grants with BSW students, Comfort Dondo-Dewey and Danielle DeRose

Katharine Hill, Ph.D., School of Social Work, awarded tenure at St. Thomas
Katharine Hill, Ph.D., and Emily Scharpen, BSW student, awarded research grant

Social Work Honors Society Addresses Economic Justice in 2014

Carol Kuechler, Ph.D., and Sarah Breyette, MSW '14, present at MACMH
Mike Chovanec, Ph.D. and Charles Kalogo, MSW Class of 2015, Present Research at St. Kate's

Careers in Social Work 2014

Alicia Moder, BSW '14, participates in St. Kate's Papal Visit in Rome
BSW Student, Helen Garcia, participates in St. Kate's Hilton grant to raise profile of Catholic sisters
Catholic sisters were always a bit of a mystery for Helen Garcia, BSW student. She passed them in the hallways at St. Catherine University (St. Kate’s) in St. Paul, but never had a personal conversation — until this month.
Now Garcia and new friend Sister Vicky Larson are pioneers in a national movement to make the public more aware of the work of America’s Catholic sisters — and in the process, encourage young women to consider the calling.
St. Kate’s is the national hub for an initiative to let the world know about nuns’ contributions. Thanks to a $3.3 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, St. Kate’s has launched a project that will pair sisters and students across the country, record nuns’ oral histories and build school curriculum. It also has built a website called SisterStory.org that will be a national repository of oral histories and other materials to demystify nuns and highlight their many contributions.
Nesmith, Hill, Christopherson and Koester present at MSSA 2014

2014 Justice Lecture: "Economic Justice for All"

Interprofessional Education Workshop Highlights Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration

Catherine Marrs-Fuchsel, Ph.D., and Leigh Bartholomew, MSW student, co-present in Las Vegas
