Social Work, Policy and Politics: Transformative policymaking
The VCU School of Social Work held its annual event, Social Work, Policy and Politics, on March 27, 2025, featuring an all-alumni panel and moderator to break down how macro, mezzo and micro social work can intertwine to promote imagination that shapes local policies and promotes community healing. This year’s subject was Futuring for Transformative […]
Getting to know new social work faculty for 2024-25
The VCU School of Social Work has five faculty who started their first full academic year with the school in fall semester. They include three tenure-track faculty with a focus on research and two teaching faculty who are also school alumni. Daniel Baslock, Ph.D. Assistant professor Position before joining VCUSSWI was a Ph.D. student at […]
‘Faculty that looked like me’: Meet the 2024-25 social work Ph.D. cohort
The VCU School of Social Work’s Ph.D. Program welcomed five new students in this academic year’s cohort. They are: Why did you choose to pursue a Ph.D. and why was the VCU School of Social Work your choice? Lisa BorntragerI want the skills to be able to conduct my own research toward suicide prevention and policy work. […]
Undergraduates get national exposure as research presenters
Focused on alcohol and addiction, VCU’s Institute for Research on Behavioral and Emotional Health prepares students for graduate school with opportunities such as conferences and networking. Developing graduate school-ready future researchers is just one of the VCU Institute for Research on Behavioral and Emotional Health’s goals, and there’s no better practice than presenting at a […]
‘Massey saved my life’: Meet alum – and cancer survivor – Melissa Weaver
VCU School of Social Work alum Melissa Weaver (B.S.W.’99; M.S.W.’06) is supporting the institution that helped save her life. The Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center provided treatment when Weaver was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2013. She tells Richmond TV station WTVR that she underwent a double mastectomy, 16 chemotherapy treatments and 35 radiation sessions. “The […]
Focusing on public mental health, Rosemary and David Farmer fund a new M.S.W. scholarship
With a career devoted to clinical social work and social work education, it’s no surprise Rosemary Farmer’s philanthropy would focus on helping students follow in her footsteps and pursue internships and employment in the public sector. Along with her husband, they have established the Drs. Rosemary L. and David J. Farmer Public Mental Health Scholarship […]
Social work faculty, students, alumni presenting at SSWR 2025
More than 50 VCU School of Social Work faculty, students and alumni have had presentations accepted or are serving in other roles with sessions such as special interest groups, roundtables or symposia at the Society for Social Work and Research 2025 conference in Seattle, Jan. 15-19, 2025. In total there are 69 presentations or sessions involving […]
Quarterly faculty research and service news: November 2024
The VCU School of Social Work is proud to recognize the following accomplishments from our faculty this fall through November 2024. Funding Amy Adkins, Ph.D., assistant professor, College of Humanities & Sciences in conjunction with the School of Social Work-led Institute for Research on Behavioral and Emotional Health Dr. Adkins and IRBEH were awarded a […]
‘Passion for macro social work’: Meet two-time alum Jackie B. Robinson Brock
Jackie B. Robinson Brock’s grounding in both micro and macro social work practice – and a meaningful M.S.W. field placement with VCU’s Partnership for People with Disabilities – have led to an impactful career and ever-growing responsibilities. Brock, a two-time graduate of the VCU School of Social Work (B.S.W.’10; M.S.W.’12) who also holds a certificate […]
‘I enjoy connecting with everyone’: Kimberly King earns Outstanding Staff Award
Kimberly King stepped into a leadership role for the 2023-2024 academic year as president of the Staff Council at the VCU School of Social Work. She’s stepped out with more experience and a sense of accomplishment – and as the recipient of the school’s annual Outstanding Staff Award. “Receiving the award made me feel special,” says […]