Congratulations to 2022 VCU Alumni Stars Kimsey, Yeatts
Disrupted by COVID, the VCU Alumni Stars celebration skipped a year, but the wait was worth it for two School of Social Work graduates. The recently biennial recognition returned for the first time since 2019, and Karen Elizabeth Kimsey (M.S.W.’96/SW; Cert.’96/HP) and Emily Yeatts (B.A.’09/WS; B.A.’09/WS; Cert.’09/WS; M.S.W.’12/SW; M.P.H.’12/M; Cert.’12/GPA) were both honored Sept. 29 […]
Celebrating 105 years by serving our communities, starting Oct. 27
As the VCU School of Social Work recognizes our 105th anniversary this October, we are celebrating through 105 Moments of Service to the local communities we hold dear. Throughout the 2022-23 academic year, we’ll be providing opportunities for community service, and encouraging all members of our school family to join with us, or to engage […]
Panel discussion: A social work lens on the political landscape of election season
The VCU School of Social Work, with support from the C. Bernard Scotch Fund, presented Social Work, Policy and Politics: The Landscape Ahead of November, a panel discussion on Oct. 13. Social work plays a key role in the political process, promoting voter participation and meaningful engagement to advocate for and with populations that face […]
Statement on ASWB licensure pass rate data
Dear social work community, We are writing following the release of Social Work licensure pass rate findings from the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). We have been actively listening, reading and processing the impact of these findings on our profession, and engaging in thoughtful dialogue about how to best support our graduates and students […]
Fall 2022 Convocation with keynote Paul Harris, Ph.D.: ‘Promoting equity on purpose’
The VCU School of Social Work kicked off the 2022-2023 academic year with our Fall 2022 Convocation on Aug. 19, featuring remarks by keynote Paul Harris, Ph.D.; Interim Dean and Associate Professor Rebecca Gomez, Ph.D., LCSW; and VCU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Fotis Sotiropoulos, Ph.D. Dr. Harris is currently a fellow […]
2 VCU alumni added to state Board of Social Work
Two VCU School of Social Work alumni have recently been appointed to the state Board of Social Work under the Virginia Department of Health Professions. Denise Purgold (M.S.W.’97/SW), LCSW, and Sherwood Randolph Jr. (B.S.W.’08/SW; M.S.W.’10/SW), LCSW, M.Div., BC-TMH, join the nine-person board, which has regulatory responsibilities for the profession, including licensure and licensure supervision. They […]
M.S.W. student Kwasi Deitutu helps soldiers and families – and keeps the peace on the soccer pitch
VCU master of social work student Kwasi Deitutu is a former sergeant first class who traveled the world for the U.S. Army, meeting President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice. But it’s fellow soldiers and their families, and their needs, that drew him to social work after retiring from the military. “The […]
Statement on Dobbs v. Jackson
I am writing following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson, which removed access to reproductive and medical care by overturning the nearly 50-year-old Roe v. Wade decision. I have taken the last week to process information and emotions before reaching out to you. I’d like to share items that were helpful to me in […]
Celebrating freedom by honoring Juneteenth 2022
The VCU School of Social Work recognizes and honors the significance of Juneteenth (June 19), which commemorates the end of slavery in Texas in 1865, two and a half years after the signing Emancipation Proclamation. There are a variety of events happening in Greater Richmond this weekend, and the Richmond Times-Dispatch and the Richmond Free […]
Social work alum elevates brunch to a networking concept connecting thousands
VCU School of Social Work alum Melissa Mason (B.S.W.’15/SW; B.S.’15/H&S) is putting her VCU degrees to work in a nontraditional way, partnering with childhood friend Lillian Jackson to create a digital platform to help women of color connect and build relationships over brunch. Brown Skin Brunchin’ was born of necessity when Jackson moved to Las […]