Social work associate professor Gattis’ fashion line mixes business with creativity
A business partnership formed after a chance meeting with a couple in Ghana, and now Maurice Gattis, Ph.D., associate professor at the VCU School of Social Work, has a fashion line called Fort Mosé 1738 that carries a line of contemporary West African fashions. Fort Mosé 1738 refers to the first free Black community in […]
NASW statement on ASWB licensing exam
Dear VCU School of Social Work community, If you have not already reviewed it, I want to draw your attention to the NASW news release from Feb 3, 2023. This news release outlines NASW’s stance on the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) licensing exam and the Social Work Interstate Compact Legislation. I would also […]
Ph.D. student Kemmerer wins doctoral fellowship from Grand Challenges for Social Work
The Grand Challenges for Social Work has selected VCU School of Social Work Ph.D. student and alum Aaron Kemmerer (B.A.’12/CHS; M.S.W.’20/SW) as one of 13 social work doctoral students to earn a national fellowship. Kemmerer’s research falls under the “end homelessness” category, one of 13 Grand Challenges subject areas supported by the GCSW, which champions […]
Meet the 2022-23 social work Ph.D. cohort
The VCU School of Social Work’s Ph.D. Program welcomed five new students for the Fall 2022 cohort. They are Victoria Cashio, M.S.W., LCSW, BCD Jeffrey Ciak, M.S.W. Katie Kim, M.S.W., LMSW Reem Shawkat, M.A. Ya-Li Yang, M.S.W. Why did you choose VCU School of Social Work for your Ph.D.? Victoria: As a military student, there […]
Statement, resources in advance of Tyre Nichols-Memphis video release
Dear SSW community, Dr. Aaron J. Hart, VCU vice president for student affairs, has outlined resources (below) to our community during this time as we await the release of video around the death of Tyre Nichols. I ask that as you process your feelings that you reach out for support. Be sensitive and mindful to […]
Tips to go dry in January and beyond, or to indulge safely
Though we are already a few days into 2023, many are still working to shore up New Year’s resolutions and healthier lifestyles in general. One popular idea is to practice Dry January, “a time when people take a break from drinking and examine their relationship with alcohol,” as described by the director of the National […]
Social work faculty, students, alumni presenting at SSWR 2023
Nearly 50 VCU School of Social Work faculty, students and alumni have had presentations accepted or are serving in other roles such as moderating special interest groups or roundtables at the Society for Social Work and Research 2023 conference in Phoenix, Jan. 11-15, 2023. In total, there are 63 presentations or sessions involving someone with […]
Annual Report 2022: Celebrating 105 years as an uncommon community cornerstone
The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work marked its 105th year in social work education in 2022, celebrating its history and the unlimited opportunities the future holds. The school’s Annual Report for the 2021-22 academic year highlights uncommon and exceptional students, faculty, alumni and community partners. Among those highlights: Art of Black motherhood Assistant […]
Social work-led project will train pediatricians to reduce adverse childhood experiences
VCU School of Social Work Associate Professor Sunny Shin, Ph.D., is leading a new project funded by the Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that will work to prevent adverse childhood experiences in the commonwealth. The three-year project is a partnership with VDH’s Injury and Violence Prevention Program and […]
December M.S.W. graduate Brittany Watson finds her path as a doula
Brittany Watson will graduate Dec. 10 with her Master of Social Work degree, having focused on the clinical concentration through the M.S.W. Program online format. Her plans are to expand her birth doula business to offer more services to expecting parents and newborns. It’s the culmination of a career change after she earned two B.S. […]