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College of Social Work

2019 News Archive

BSW Program Moves Up in Latest College Factual Rankings

The Bachelor of Social Work program is in the top 15 percent of all undergraduate social work programs, according to the latest rankings from College Factual.

BSW Student Leads Sistercare Donation Drive

BSW student Elle Murphy led a donation drive throughout campus to support victims of domestic violence.

Student Spotlight: Sabrina Mackey

Sabrina Mackey decided to walk away from more than 20 years working in the healthcare field to change careers and pursue new opportunities by studying for her Master of Social Work degree.

Collaborating on Immigration Issues Through COMPASS

The College of Social Work has established an immigration center to foster teaching, practice, research and collaboration on immigration issues among scholars and researchers across campus.

College of Social Work Trailblazers

Two of the first 22 students who experienced the first day in the history of the College of Social Work in 1969 recently returned to campus to recall their time at the college's inception.

Managing Motherhood, Military and Social Work

MSW student Amirah Cotton is successfully managing raising a family, her military commitment, and social work studies and field education.

Utilizing Social Work Skills in Student Government

Bachelor of Social Work students Whitney Garland and Molley Jenkins have a head start in advocacy thanks to their participation in student government.

Taking the Case Method of Teaching to Singapore

Professor Terry Wolfer has hosted the Case Method Teaching Institute each year since 2016. This past summer, he brought the institute to faculty at the National University of Singapore.

Student Spotlight: Desiree Little

There was a time when Master of Social Work student Desiree Little had some of the common misconceptions of social work. But now, she is preparing for a career of helping individuals and communities.

Advocating for Improved Dental Care Access in South Carolina

MSW student Elouise Cram spoke at the State House to share her passion for improving access to dental care in the Palmetto State.

Increasing Research Participation at South Carolina's HBCUs

Thanks to a National Institute on Aging-funded award, the College of Social Work's SC-ADAR is helping provide research opportunities for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

College of Social Work at CSWE Annual Program Meeting

The College of Social Work will be well-represented at the the CSWE Annual Program Meeting in Denver later this week.

Penney Continues Training in Africa Though ICARA Program

Most at-risk children in Africa never have a trained professional working with them. But Clinical Assistant Professor Patrice Penney's ICARA program aims to alleviate that problem.

Student Spotlight: Sierra Abel

Master of Social Work advanced year student Sierra Abel earned her undergraduate degree in communications. But a volunteer experience has led her on a path to a future social work career.

BSW Student Named Smith Scholarship Award Winner

Jaqawnya McElveen has been recognized by the college's Institute for Families in Society for her passion and desire to help children.

How Childhood Cancer Influenced a Path to Social Work

September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and it has special significance for MSW Advanced Standing student Harleigh Sohler.

Browne Co-Authors Kidney Transplantation Article in Journal of the American Medical Association

Associate Dean for Faculty and Research Teri Browne was co-author of an important article on for-profit and non-profit dialysis facilities.

Student Spotlight: Kennedy Richart

After earning her undergraduate degree in social work from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Kennedy Richart relocated south to pursue her master's degree, thanks to the college's Advanced Standing program.

Gehlert and Browne Release Third Edition of Handbook of Health Social Work

In 2006, Dean Sarah Gehlert and Associate Dean for Faculty and Research Teri Browne collaborated on the first edition of what is now considered the definitive text on health social work.

Andrews Invited to Serve on Opioid Commission

Associate Professor Christina Andrews has been invited to serve on a commission to help provide solutions to the opioid crisis in North America.

Student Spotlight: Morgan Carroll

Master of Social Work student Morgan Carroll always knew she would attend the University of South Carolina after seeing the historic Horseshoe for the first time.

College of Social Work Welcomes New Faculty

Two new faculty members will begin teaching at the College of Social Work as the new academic year begins.

Faculty Spotlight: Rhonda DiNovo

Clinical Assistant Professor Rhonda DiNovo is in her first year as Master of Social Work program coordinator.

You Can Go Home Again

Three words to describe Master of Social Work student Isabella Gormanson's connection to SC Housing could be: coloring, essay and intern.

Cooking Up Healthy Eating Ideas

Charleston site MSW student Victoria Lott turned her passion into cooking to help clients at her field education site.

Hock Teaches Korea-Based MSW Students

Associate Professor Robert Hock spent part of his summer in Asia, teaching classes to Korea-Based MSW students.

Two Alumni Work to Solve Food Insecurity

Ashley Page, MSW '15 and Carrie Draper, MSW '09 are working to implement and evaluate a wide range of policy, system and environmental change strategies to increase access to healthy eating.

Study Examines Behavioral Health Needs of Warrior Transition Units

Associate Professor Nikki Wooten, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S Army Reserves with more than 30 years of military service, is conducting a multi-year study on behavioral health in Warrior Transition Units.

Center for Child and Family Studies Provides Curriculum for Career Academy Workshops

To help students with disabilities, the College of Social Work's Center for Child and Family Studies partnered with several university units for a pilot program to help develop employment skills.

Owens Serving as Co-Principal Investigator on Lung Cancer Research

Assistant Professor Shaun Owens is working with a team of researchers across the university to help lower incidence rates.

Three Faculty Members Earn Tenure Promotion

Three faculty members have earned promotions from assistant to associate professors.

Incoming Faculty Member Serves as Collaborator on Immigration Documentary

John Doering-White, a recent Ph.D. graduate who will begin teaching at the College of Social Work in August, lent his expertise to an immigration documentary.

Ph.D. Student Selected for Fellowship Program

As Brittany Davis prepares for her second year of the doctoral program this fall, she will have the unique opportunity to learn from fellow scholars and faculty throughout campus.

Korea-Based MSW Program Receives Generous Donation

The College of Social Work's Korea-Based MSW program recently received a generous donation from an alumnus of the fourth cohort in 2003.

Field Education Award Winners Honored

Following the Interprofessional Behavioral Health Scholars Poster Fair on May 1, two students and two field instructors were presented with the College of Social Work's Field Education awards for the 2018-2019 academic year.

MSW Students of the Year Announced for Charleston and Greenville Sites

Three graduating Master of Social Work students have been named MSW Students of the Year for the College of Social Work's Charleston and Greenville sites.

MSW Students and Educator of the Year Announced for Columbia Campus

Two students and one faculty member have been named winners of the annual MSW student and educator of the year awards.

MSW Students Visit Immigrant Detention Center

Students in Assistant Professor Benjamin Roth's immigration policy class visited and spoke with individuals at an immigrant detention center in southwestern Georgia.

College of Social Work Hosts Interprofessional Behavioral Health Scholars Poster Fair

The lobby of Hamilton College was filled with 30 posters created by College of Social Work scholars on Wednesday.

Student Spotlight: Katelyn Emberton

Katelyn Emberton is one of the many students who do not live in the Columbia area but can still enroll in College of Social Work courses.

3 BSW Students Recognized at Awards Day

Three Bachelor of Social Work students were among the more than 200 University of South Carolina students honored at the annual University Awards Day on April 18 on the historic Horseshoe.

Enjoying the Unexpected

Bachelor of Social Work alumna Breanna Neely's unexpected path to the College of Social Work has led to a fulfilling career.

College of Social Work Alumna to Speak at MSW Hooding

Alumna and former adjunct instructor Katrina Hutchins, Ph.D., will serve as the keynote speaker for the Master of Social Work Hooding on May 9.

Ferguson Commission Co-Chair Speaks to University Community

The College of Social Work's I. DeQuincey Newman Institute for Peace and Social Justice recently co-sponsored a talk by Ferguson Commission co-chair Rev. Starsky D. Wilson

Newman Institute to Sponsor Social Justice Advocate

The College of Social Work's I. DeQuincey Newman Institute for Peace and Social Justice will host educator, activist, and speaker Nathaniel Naomi Simmons-Thorne for her presentation, "Transforming Care: A Guide to Trans-affirmative Practices."

Student Spotlight: Reagan Massengale

It was a professor during her undergraduate education who helped steer Master of Social Work student Reagan Massengale to the unlimited opportunities available with a social work degree.

Serving the World

Bachelor of Social Work students Sydney Arsenault and Shelby Guinn intend will take their studies and experiences from the College of Social Work to serve populations with the greatest needs by joining the Peace Corps.

Susan Parlier to Retire from the College of Social Work

Clinical faculty member Susan Parlier will retire on May 15, 2019 after 12 years of service to the University of South Carolina College of Social Work.

Play Therapy Exhibit Wins First Place at Creativibe

One College of Social Work exhibit at the University of South Carolina's inaugural Creativibe event on Saturday, Mar. 26 received accolades for focusing on play therapy.

Faculty and Students to Present at NASW-SC Symposium

Several College of Social Work faculty and students will present at the annual National Association of Social Workers-South Carolina Chapter Spring Symposium from Mar. 25-27, 2019.

MSW Student Earns Prestigious Fellowship

Master of Social Work student Phylicia Currence will not only graduate with her degree this May. She is also preparing to begin a two-year training program on July 1, courtesy of a prestigious fellowship.

Newman Institute to Co-Sponsor Talk by Former Ferguson Commission Co-Chair

Rev. Starsky D. Wilson, who was appointed co-chair of the Ferguson commission, will speak to students on Thursday, Apr. 4, 2019. His talk is titled, The Truth of Reconciliation: Leadership for American Apartheid.

von Lehe Benches Formally Dedicated

John von Lehe, Jr. cited the famous Will Rogers quote to describe his mother, Agenora Adams von Lehe. "She never met a person she didn't like." He fondly remembered his mother Thursday as the von Lehe benches in front of the Hamilton College entrance were formally dedicated.

Advancing Social Policy

Students in the Advanced Analysis of Social Policy, Programs, and Services class at the College of Social Work's Charleston site discussed important social issues with elected officials on Saturday, Mar. 9.

Student Spotlight: Margaret Carnes

Margaret Carnes never considered a social work career as she prepared to receive her bachelor's degree in visual arts from Clemson University last year. But one conversation led the Greenville native to pursue her Master of Social Work.

National Professional Social Work Month Begins Today

Today is the start of National Professional Social Work Month. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is helping lead this year's Social Work Month celebration with a campaign centered around the theme, "Elevate Social Work."

Newman Lecture Features Immigrant Rights Advocate

While immigration continues to be an important issue in Washington, D.C., the College of Social Work's I. DeQuincey Newman Institute for Peace and Social Justice hosted their 2019 Newman Lecture Wednesday evening with a nationally-recognized immigrant rights advocate.

In Memoriam: Rita Rhodes, Professor Emerita

Professor Emerita Rita Rhodes, who earned her Master of Social Work degree from the University of South Carolina College of Social Work and later taught at the college for 23 years, died on Feb. 20. She was 72.

Doctoral Student Awarded Graduate Research Grant

The University of South Carolina's Support to Promote Advancement of Research and Creativity (SPARC) Graduate Research Grant is allowing a doctoral student the opportunity to address pressing immigration concerns.

Alumni Spotlight: Michelle Thome-Kaufman, MSW '15

Michelle Thome-Kaufman grew up in Wisconsin and earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from Northern Michigan University in 2012. But she knew she belonged in South Carolina following a trip to Charleston during her undergraduate studies.

Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare Inducts 21 New Fellows

The Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW), currently headquartered at the College of Social Work of the University of South Carolina, features more than 100 top scholars in the field.

Student Spotlight: Madison Stephens

Madison Stephens came from Cincinnati, Ohio for her undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina. But she changed her initial career plans after working with social workers at a post-graduate internship.

A Bridge to Donations

The College of Social Work offers field placements at mental health facilities, and five Bachelor of Social Work students are working together to make life easier for their clients.

Newman Lecture to Feature Immigrant Rights Advocate

The College of Social Work's I. DeQuincey Newman Institute has invited a speaker to explain how immigration is dividing the nation and the difficulties of finding political solutions.

College of Social Work to Host UofSC First Lady Patricia Moore-Pastides

A familiar face around the University of South Carolina campus will speak at the College of Social Work. Students are invited to attend "An Evening with First Lady Patricia Moore-Pastides" at 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 4 in Hamilton College, Room 322.

Alzheimer's Disease Research Mentorship

South Carolina has the highest age-adjusted death rate from Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in the country. In addition, older African Americans are at an increased likelihood of having ADRD.

Student Spotlight: Marianna Moss

Marianna Moss earned her undergraduate degree in sociology last year from Clemson University. She then arrived in the capital city to pursue her Master of Social Work and take advantage of the College of Social Work's classroom and field education opportunities.

College of Social Work at SSWR Annual Conference

The College of Social Work will be represented with several presentations by faculty, staff and Ph.D. students at the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Conference in San Francisco from Jan. 16-20, 2019.

Alumni Spotlight: Antwan Aiken, MSW/MPA '13

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina, Antwan Aiken decided to remain in Columbia to take advantage of the college's dual degree program in social work and public administration.

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