News roundup: A faculty perspective on refugee healthcare, a national scholarship, an entrepreneurial social work focus, faculty awards – and more
The latest news roundup from the VCU School of Social Work highlights: Im’s work highlights impact of discrimination on healthcare access Refugees resettling in the United States continue to face significant challenges accessing healthcare even after receiving initial medical screenings and temporary health coverage upon arrival, Dr. Hyojin Im reports in an article in The […]
Globetrotting with the School of Social Work: South Africa to Spain, Ghana to South Korea
More than 50 VCU students participated in four School of Social Work-led spring break and summer study abroad trips in 2026. The study abroad programs are: The experience is transformational for students, including one who participated in the spring break program in Spain: “Overall, the study abroad experience totally reshaped my perspective on aging. I […]
#Fulbright: Ph.D. student Aya Caballero’s research journey mixes Jamaican roots, Instagram influence
Aya Caballero’s path to a Fulbright award looked more like an intersection – of her Jamaican roots, her researcher’s eye for recognizing gaps in data and the most 21st century of interactions: an Instagram-driven connection. Caballero, a third-year Ph.D. student at the VCU School of Social Work, will collaborate with researchers at the University of […]
Honoring student excellence for 2025-26
The VCU School of Social Work is pleased to recognize the academic and service excellence of 51 students and one faculty member for the 2025-2026 academic year. Honors include VCU and School of Social Work annual awards, SSW scholarships and Phi Alpha Honor Society inductees; seven students received multiple honors or recognition. Following the ceremony, […]
Alum’s book spotlights workplace attunement; new textbooks focus on anti-racist research, school social work practice
VCU School of Social Work alum Nidhi Tewari learned a deeply personal – and disappointing – lesson about workplace culture, used it to develop a philosophy of care and fine-tuned her message speaking in front of Fortune 500 companies. This month, the culmination of her knowledge is being published in the book “Working Well: How […]
Gina Chowa, UNC scholar, will speak on advancing global social development
The VCU School of Social Work welcomes Gina Chowa, Ph.D., M.S.W., from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for a presentation Friday, Oct. 10, titled “Advancing Global Social Development: Youth, Gender, and Community-Engaged Research Across Contexts.” The session will be in-person at the Academic Learning Commons 3100 from noon-1:30 p.m. ET. Please RSVP […]
‘Steadfast advocate’: Alex Wagaman wins one of VCU’s inaugural awards for community excellence
Praised as someone who “creates safe spaces where people can learn and grow” and as a “steadfast advocate with a gentle presence,” Alex Wagaman, Ph.D., was honored with one of VCU’s inaugural Excellence in Community Engagement Awards in May 2025. Wagaman, an associate professor in the School of Social Work, received her award in the […]
Office of Field Education names 2025 community award winners
The VCU School of Social Work is pleased to announce the six recipients of its 2025 Office of Field Education Community Partner Awards. The keynote speaker was Lenise Mazyck, M.S.W., LCSW, whose topic was “Grow Your Own Way: My Journey Through Burnout and Transformative Growth.” Outstanding New Field Instructor Award Alum Kim Close-Jensen (M.S.W.’97), social […]
From service to research: Student-led volunteerism turns into presentation at national social work conference
VCU’s Bachelor of Social Work Student Association led a yearlong community service initiative that earned three of its student officers a trip to Las Vegas for a national conference in the spring semester. Seniors Joey Kniceley and Julia Stodard, who graduated with their B.S.W. degrees in May, and junior Autumn Matusiak participated in the Association […]
Honoring student excellence for 2024-25
The VCU School of Social Work is pleased to recognize the academic and service excellence of 90 students for the 2024-2025 academic year. Honors include VCU and School of Social Work annual awards, SSW scholarships and Phi Alpha Honor Society inductees; 17 students received multiple honors or recognition. VCU awards Black History in the Making […]