News

For MJ Gilbert, practice sits at the heart of effective social work. As the outgoing Director of Field Instruction, Gilbert earned her MSW at the University in 1990, returning to campus in 2004 to join the field team. “I moved to Minnesota in 1984,” says Gilbert. “The primary reason I moved was because (the state) […]

Congratulations to clinical social worker and professor of social work practice, Dr. Saida Abdi, for winning a 2022 Maroon and Gold Award! Abdi, who is on faculty in the School of Social Work, is being recognized by the University of Minnesota Communicators Forum for upholding the “University’s core values (of) excellence, innovation, effectiveness, integrity, diversity, collaboration, […]

Four members of the School of Social Work were recently recognized for their outstanding contributions in research, service, and leadership. Dr. Joseph Merighi, Peggy Pond, Dr. Lynette Renner, and Bao Lee-Yang were each presented with an award during the Spring Assembly, held virtually on April 27.  Joseph Merighi, PhD — acting interim director of the […]

The School of Social Work celebrates the incredible careers and contributions of Megan Morrissey, Jean Quam, and Mark Umbreit who will each retire this spring. Dr. Megan Morrissey has a long history at the School of Social Work (SSW) as a student, administrator, and educator. She will retire after 30 years of service in May […]

Each year the School of Social Work recognizes an alum who has practiced with distinction since graduation and exemplified the absolute best of the social work profession. This year, Dr. Glenda Dewberry Rooney (PhD ’94) received the 2022 Alumna of the Year Award. She was nominated by SSW’s Dr. Priscilla Gibson. Dr. Dewberry Rooney received […]

Monday, May 16, 2022 at 4:30 PM, St Paul Student Center This year’s event will feature the renowned Minneapolis-based artist, activist, and public educator Ricardo Levins Morales (he/him). As stated in the artist’s bio: “He uses his art as a form of political medicine to support individual and collective healing from the injuries and ongoing reality of oppression.” […]

(University of Arkansas News, 4/18/22) Earlier this month, Dr. Valandra (MSW ’96; PhD 2012) received the prestigious Roger Collins Beacon of Hope Award from the Northwest Arkansas Center for Sexual Assault for her steadfast service and commitment to survivors of sexual assault. “The center could not think of a more deserving recipient of this award,” […]

CEHD is pleased to announce Dr. Joan Blakey will be joining the college on July 1 as an associate professor and the new director of the School of Social Work (SSW). She comes to SSW from the School of Social Work at Tulane University in New Orleans where she served as associate dean of academic […]

SSW’s Dr. Traci LaLiberte, Executive Director of the Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW), has been awarded 2022’s UConn School of Social Work Alumni “Outstanding Social Worker” award. This award honors alumni whose accomplishments, affiliations, and careers have made an outstanding impact and/or have been recognized within their field. Relevant to community/society in […]

The School of Social Work is excited to welcome professors Marti DeLiema, Hannah MacDougall and Jihee Woo as tenure track faculty beginning August, 2022. As an interdisciplary gerontologist, Dr. DeLiema defines successful aging as maintaining good health, cultivating meaningful social relationships, and being financially secure. Her work focuses on identifying the extent and cost of […]