Social work faculty and students presenting at SSWR 2026
Seventeen faculty and 11 doctoral students or candidates from the VCU School of Social Work are presenting or having their work presented at the annual Society for Social Work and Research conference in Washington, D.C., Jan. 14-18, 2026.
Jamie Cage, Ph.D., associate professor, is the organizer for a symposium on child welfare Friday, Jan. 16, featuring five presentations and including recent Ph.D. graduates Victoria Cashio and Jenée Lee. Hyojin Im, Ph.D. associate professor, is the organizer for a symposium on Black and African diaspora focused-research on Sunday, Jan. 18, featuring three presentations and including Daniel Baslock, Ph.D., assistant professor, and recent Ph.D. graduates Muna Saleh and Nicole Campbell.
Presentations include 12 with faculty as first author, eight with Ph.D. candidates or students as first author and seven with recent Ph.D. graduates as first author.
All sessions are being held at the Marriott Marquis Washington. D.C.
Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026
Examining the Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences Due to Discrimination on Young Children’s Social-Emotional Development
Jamie Cage, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor; Chin-Chih Chen, Ph.D., VCU; Fa Zhang, Ph.D. VCU; Yaoying Xu, Ph.D., VCU; Yuyan Xia, Ph.D., University of Kentucky.
- 1:30-3 p.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Adolescent and Youth Development – Trauma Exposure
Food Insecurity, Stigma, and Mental Health Among College Students
Youngmi Kim, Ph.D. VCUSSW professor; Karen Chartier, Ph.D., VCUSSW professor; Shiela Martinez,.B.A., VCUSSW M.S.W. student; Spit For Science Working Group, VCU
- 1:30-3 p.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Adolescent Development – Nutrition assistance and food insecurity
The Measurement of Race/Ethnicity in Social Determinants of Health Literature: A Scoping Review
Demeisha Carlton-Brown, M.S.W., University of North Carolina; David French, M.S.W., UNC; Trenette Clark Goings, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & UNC; Caroline Evans, Ph.D., UNC; McKenzie Green, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor; Lorraine Dean, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University
- 1:30-3 p.m., Capitol, ML 4
- Cluster: Adolescent and Youth Development – The Innovative and Strategic Prevention in Racial and Ethnic Disparities (INSPIRED) Lab Presents: Combatting Health Inequities
Participatory Blackout Poetry As Qualitative Method for Understanding Perceptions and Strategies of Violence Prevention Among College Students at Risk for Sexual Violence
Rose Miola, LCSW, M.T.S., VCUSSW doctoral student; Adrienne Baldwin-White, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor
- 1:30-3 p.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Adolescent Development – Gender-Based Violence
Age-Friendly Environment and Aging in Community Among Older Adults in Puerto Rico
Kyeongmo Kim, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor
- 3:15-4:45 p.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Aging Services and Gerontology – Housing
Conceptual Model of Refugee Family Dynamics: A Study with Sri Lankan Tamils
Miriam Kuttikat, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor; Marianne Lund, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral student
- 3:15-4:45 p.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: History – Forced migration and internal displacement
Gender and Sexuality Identity Support in Collegiate Recovery Programs Lowers Depression for LGBTQ+ Participants, Which Is Related to Increased Recovery Capital
Kyle Hull, VCU; Rebecca Smith, Ph.D., VCUSSW Research instructor; Ya-Li Yang, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral student; Mer Francis, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor
- 3:15-4:45 p.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Substance Misuse and Addictive Behaviors – Addictive Behaviors and Co-Occurring Problems
“I Internalized a Lot” Racialized Pathways to Depression Symptoms Amongst Biracial-Black Girls and Young Women
McKenzie Green, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor; Andryce Clinkscales, Ph.D., Texas A&M University; Aya Caballero, M.A., VCUSSW doctoral student
- 3:15-4:45 p.m., Marquis BR 13, ML 2
- Cluster: Adolescent and Youth Development Flash Talk Session
Friday, Jan. 16, 2026
Blended Payments and Treatment Completion
Daniel Baslock, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor
- 9:45-11:15 a.m., Liberty BR O, ML 4
- Cluster: Mental Health – Organizational and Provider Factors in Mental Health Settings
Strength in Connection: How Social Well-Being and Identity Shape Suicide Risk Among Veterans
Samuel Ochinang, M.S.W., LCSW, VCUSSW doctoral student; Ya-Li Yang, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral candidate; Youngmi Kim, Ph.D., VCUSSW professor
- 9:45-11:15 a.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Military Service Members, Veterans and Their Families – Military and veteran programs
Determinants of Healthcare Utilization By Older Refugees in the United States: A Modified Andersen Model Approach
Muna Saleh, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & Ohio State University; Hyojin Im, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor; Kyeongmo Kim, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor; Denise Burnette, Ph.D., VCUSSW professor
- 2-3:30 p.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Immigrants and Refugees – Immigrant health and mental health
Implementing Virtual Reality Job Interview Training in Prison-Based Employment Readiness Programs: A Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation
James Merle, University of Utah; Matthew Smith, Ph.D., University of Michigan; Meghan Harrington, University of Michigan; Brittany Ross, University of Michigan; Julia McClellan, University of Michigan; Lady Perez Musan, M.S.W., University of Michigan; Camille Quinn, Ph.D., University of Michigan; Daphne Brydon, Ph.D., LMSW, University of Cincinnati; Jennifer Johnson, Ph.D., Michigan State University; Gary Cuddeback, Ph.D., VCUSSW dean and professor; Morris Bell, Ph.D., Yale University; Brian Friedman, Michigan Department of Corrections; Pamela Kryscio, Michigan Department of Corrections; Aaron Suganuma, LMSW, Washtenaw County (Michigan) Sheriff’s Office; Justin Smith, Ph.D., University of Utah
- 2-3:30 p.m., Marquis BR 14, ML 2
- Cluster: Crime and Criminal Justice – Social Work Science and Transformative Change in Criminal Justice and Community Mental Health
Parenting across Generations: Exploring the Influence of Maternal Parenting and Drinking on Emerging Adults’ Mental Health and Parenting Practices
Ya-Li Yang, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral candidate; Youngmi Kim, Ph.D., VCUSSW professor; Samuel Ochinang, M.S.W., LCSW, VCUSSW doctoral student
- 2-3:30 p.m., Commonwealth Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Substance Misuse and Addictive Behaviors – Family, Workplace, and Community
An RCT of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training in a Prison-Based Employment Readiness Program
Matthew Smith, Ph.D., University of Michigan; Meghan Harrington, University of Michigan; Brittany Ross, University of Michigan; Camille Quinn, Ph.D., University of Michigan; Lady Perez Musan, M.S.W., University of Michigan; Daphne Brydon, Ph.D., LMSW, University of Cincinnati; Jennifer Johnson, PhD, Michigan State University; Gary Cuddeback, Ph.D., VCUSSW dean and professor; Justin Smith, Ph.D., University of Utah; James Merle, University of Utah; Jane Burke-Miller, Ph.D., University of Illinois-Chicago; Neil Jordan, Ph.D., Northwestern University; Morris Bell, Ph.D., Yale University; Brian Friedman, Michigan Department of Corrections; Pamela Kryscio, Michigan Department of Corrections; Aaron Suganuma, LMSW, Washtenaw County (Michigan) Sheriff’s Office
- 2-3:30 p.m., Marquis BR 14, ML 2
- Cluster: Crime and Criminal Justice – Social Work Science and Transformative Change in Criminal Justice and Community Mental Health
Emerging Adult Unmet Mental Health Needs: Identifying Patterns of Barriers to Mental Health Service Utilization
Jennifer Murphy, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & University of Texas-Arlington; Leah Bouchard, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & James Bell Associates; Jeff Ciak, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral candidate; Tasha Pelletier, University of Texas-Arlington
- 3:45-5:15 p.m., Marquis BR 14, ML 2
- Cluster: Mental Health – Mental Health Flash Talk Session 1
Self-Perceptions of Aging and Advance Care Planning: Longitudinal Evidence from a National Panel Study
Rita Hu, Ph.D., University of Chicago; Yifan Lou, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor
- 3:45-5:15 p.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Aging Services and Gerontology – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Who Counts As Support?: Community Scope, Social Capital, and Stress Coping Among Somali Refugee Youth in Urban Kenya
Hyojin Im, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor
- 3:45-5:15 p.m., Marquis BR 9, ML 2
- Cluster: Immigrants and Refugees – Youth Resilience and Institutional Navigation
Toward Balancing the Educational Scale: A Multi-Faceted Viewpoint Towards Understanding and Supporting the Educational Stability of Students in Foster Care
Symposium organizer: Jamie Cage, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor
- 3:45-5:15 p.m., Congress, ML 4
- Cluster: Child Welfare (5 sessions below)
A Poetic Narrative Story of Serenity: “the Girl Who Grew”
Jenée Lee, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & Columbus (Ohio) City Attorney’s Office; Natalie Goin, Reynolds Community College; Jamie Cage, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor
Rooted in a School Community: A Multi-Stakeholder Perspective of Educational Stability for Students in Foster Care
Victoria Cashio, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum; Jamie Cage, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor; Claudia Lee, B.A., George Mason University; Margaret Poandl, M.A., VCU: Antonio Giles, B.S.W., VCU; Jaylynn Floyd, B.A., University of Massachusetts Amherst; Antionette Stroter, Ph.D., Virginia Department of Education; Jenée Lee, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & Columbus (Ohio) City Attorney’s Office
Exploring the Impact of Educational Instability on Students in Foster Care: A Qualitative Multi-Stakeholder Perspective
Claudia Lee, B.A., George Mason University; Jaylynn Floyd, B.A., University of Massachusetts Amherst; Jamie Cage, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor; Victoria Cashio, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum; Margaret Poandl, M.A., VCU; Antonio Giles, B.S.W., VCU; Jenée Lee, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & Columbus (Ohio) City Attorney’s Office; Antionette Stroter, Ph.D., Virginia Department of Education
Systemic Barriers to Educational Stability and Success for Students in Foster Care: A Qualitative Multi-Stakeholder Perspective
Margaret Poandl, M.A., VCU; Jamie Cage, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor; Victoria Cashio, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum; Claudia Lee, B.A., George Mason University; Jaylynn Floyd, B.A., University of Massachusetts Amherst; Antonio Giles, B.S.W., VCU; Jenée Lee, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & Columbus (Ohio) City Attorney’s Office; Antionette Stroter, Ph.D., Virginia Department of Education
A Public Health Approach Toward Supporting the Educational Stability and Experiences of Students in Foster Care: Utilizing Participant Advice and Recommendations
Antonio Giles, B.S.W., VCU; Jamie Cage, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor; Victoria Cashio, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum; Claudia Lee, B.A., George Mason University; Jaylynn Floyd, B.A., University of Massachusetts Amherst; Margaret Poandl, M.A., VCU; Jenée Lee, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & Columbus (Ohio) City Attorney’s Office; Antionette Stroter, Ph.D., Virginia Department of Education
Black and African Diaspora Focused-Research Flash Talk Session
McKenzie Green, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor
- 5:30-7 p.m., Liberty BR I, ML 4
- Cluster: Black and African Diaspora Focused-Research – Flash Talk
Identity Matters: Navigating the Trade-Offs and Challenges of Quality Housing for Black Women Renters
Jenée Lee, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & Columbus (Ohio) City Attorney’s Office
- 5:30-7 p.m., Liberty BR I, ML 4
- Cluster: Black and African Diaspora Focused-Research – Flask Talk
Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026
Strengthening Competence for Working with Families Affected By Addiction: A Preliminary Assessment of a Fellowship for Child Welfare Professionals
Katie N. Kim, LMSW, VCUSSW doctoral candidate; Mer Francis, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor; Naomi Reddish, M.S.W., VCUSSW assistant professor; Amanda Long, M.S.W., VCUSSW coordinator for community engagement; Kristen Van de Riet, LCSW, VCUSSW alum & Chesterfield County (Virginia) Mental Health Support Services; Rebecca Gomez, Ph.D., University of Texas; Karen Chartier, Ph.D., VCUSSW professor
- 8-9:30 a.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Child Welfare – Child Welfare Services, Systems, and Workforce
Development and Pilot Testing of a Novel Art-Based Community Intervention for Reducing Bias Toward LGBTQ+ Latine People of Central Texas
Jacob Goffnett, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor; Andres Navarro, Southwest Texas State University; Kelly Clary, Southwest Texas State University; Paola Roldán, M.A., VCUSSW alum; Angela Matijczak, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Marianne Lund, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral student
- 9:45-11:15 a.m., Treasury, ML 4
- Cluster: Research Design and Measurement – Arts-Based Research Methods As Tools for Healing and Resistance
How Does Neighborhood Fertility Support Policy Shape Fertility Intentions?: Evidence from a Multi-Level Analysis in South Korea
Young Sun Joo, Ph.D., Myongji University, Seoul, Korea; Youngmi Kim, Ph.D., VCUSSW professor
- 9:45-11:15 a.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Communities and Neighborhoods – Neighborhood indicators/effects and community health/well-being
Assessment of the Undergraduate Health Social Work Curriculum: Identifying Areas for Improvement
Sugarmaa Myagmarjav, Ph.D., Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences; Undarmaa Tumurbaatar, M.P.H., MNUMS; Nansalmaa Khaidav, M.A., MNUMS; Nadmidtseren Gombodorj, M.P.H., MNUMS; Altanchimeg Davaajav, M.P.H., MNUMS; Zoljargalan Gantumur, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral student
- 4-5:30 p.m., Monument, ML 4
- Cluster: Research on Social Work Education – Flash Talk
Housing, Behavioral Health Services, and Disability Rights: A Narrative Policy Analysis of California’s Proposition 1
Jeff Ciak, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral candidate; Shannon Pagdon, B.A., University of Pittsburgh
- 4-5:30 p.m., Liberty BR K, ML 4
- Cluster: Disability – Emerging Topics on Disability
A Spatial Analysis of Neighborhood-Level Fertility Rates and Policy Incentives in South Korea
Young Sun Joo, Ph.D., Myongji University, Seoul, Korea; Youngmi Kim, Ph.D., VCUSSW professor; Seon Kyeong Ahn, M.S.W., Ewha Womens University, Seoul, Korea
- 4-5:30 p.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: International Social Work and Global Issues – Global Social Work Agenda
A Systematic Review of Blended Payment Financing Strategies for Behavioral Healthcare
Liliana Morales, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral student; Zisu Liao, M.A., VCU; Daniel Baslock, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor
- 4-5:30 p.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Organizations and Management – Funding, Contracting, and Accountability
Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026
A Multi-Year Analysis of Buprenorphine Availability in Co-Occurring Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment Programs
Rayelle Ross, M.S.W., LCSW, VCUSSW doctoral student; Daniel Baslock, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor
- 8-9:30 a.m., Mint, ML 4
- Cluster: Substance Misuse and Addictive Behaviors – Screening, Access, and Attitudes on Substance Use Services and Treatment
Social Support and Organizational Commitment: Testing a Mediating Effect of Career Aspiration
Sooyeon Jang, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral student; Youngmi Kim, Ph.D., VCUSSW professor
- 8-9:30 a.m., Marquis BR 6, ML 2
- Category: Work and Work-Life Policies and Programs – Work/family intersection
Intersecting Injustices: Structural Barriers to Care for Black Immigrants and Refugees in the U.S
Symposium Organizer: Hyojin Im, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor; discussant: Asli Yalim, Ph.D., University of Central Florida
- 9:45-11:15 a.m., Capitol, ML 4
- Cluster: Black and African Diaspora Focused-Research (3 sessions below)
Beyond Cost: Racialized Barriers to Healthcare Access Among Black Refugees in the United States
Hyojin Im, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor; Daniel Baslock, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor
Health After Resettlement: Predictors of health status and primary care utilization among Somali refugees living with chronic illness
Muna Saleh, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & Ohio State University
Understanding Identity Based Discrimination: Immigrant Women of African Descent’s Experiences in Social and Human Service Agencies
Nicole Campbell, Ph.D., VCUSSW alum & Old Dominion University; Hyojin Im, Ph.D., VCUSSW associate professor
Examining Cultural Differences Around Gender Based Violence Among Marginalized Students
Adrienne Baldwin-White, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor; Rose Miola, M.S.W., VCUSSW doctoral student
- 9:45-11:15 a.m., Liberty BR N, ML 4
- Cluster: Gender-Based Violence – Gender-Based Violence in Children, Teens, and College Students
Household Adversity and Mental Health Access: The Impact of Parent and Healthcare Provider Communication on Unmet Needs Among Children
Christina Huerta, Ph.D., VCUSSW assistant professor
- 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Monument, ML 4
- Cluster: Adolescent and Youth Development – Youth-Parent Relationships and Well-Being
SSW alumni presenters
- Leah Bouchard (Ph.D.’22)
- John Bricout (Ph.D.’98)
- John Cagle (Ph.D.’98)
- Nicole Campbell (Ph.D.’24, M.S.W.’20)
- Victoria Cashio (Ph.D.’25)
- Y. Joon Choi (Ph.D.’11)
- Trenette Clark Goings (Ph.D.’08)
- Anna Cody (Ph.D.’20)
- James Forte (Ph.D.’90, M.S.W.’78)
- Megan Gandy (Ph.D.’15)
- John Gyourko (M.S.W.’20)
- Leanne Heaton (Ph.D.’10)
- Jenée Lee (Ph.D.’25)
- Michael Massey (Ph.D.’17)
- Angela Matijczak (Ph.D.’24)
- Susan McCarter (Ph.D.’97)
- David McLeod (Ph.D.’13)
- Jennifer Murphy (Ph.D.’23)
- Nathan Perkins (Ph.D.’09)
- Suzanne Pritzker (M.S.W.’03)
- Paola Roldán (Ph.D.’25)
- Muna Saleh (Ph.D.’25)
- Sara Schwartz (M.S.W.’01)
- Jennifer Shadik (Ph.D.’14)
- Laura Swan (Ph.D.’21)
- Martell Teasley (M.S.W.’96)
- Veronica Timbers (M.S.W.’06)
- Camie Tomlinson (Ph.D.’23)
- Kristen Van de Riet, LCSW (M.S.W.’09)
- Keith Watts (Ph.D.’21)