Yifan Lou incorporates virtual reality into research on death and dying
Yifan Lou, Ph.D., assistant professor in the VCU School of Social Work, is exploring virtual reality tools to support end-of-life care in a collaborative project with a VCUarts colleague. Lou and Semi Ryu, Ph.D., professor in the School of the Arts, were awarded one of 19 VCU Quest Fund grants to support “My Voice, My […]
Lifesavers: Naloxone training for opioid overdoses continues social work focus on addiction and substance use
Building on previous learning and training opportunities around addiction and substance use, the VCU School of Social Work, the Institute for Research on Behavioral and Emotional Health (IRBEH) and Rams in Recovery recently provided a targeted session on how to use a lifesaving medical treatment for opioid overdoses. Nearly 20 social work students and staff […]
Ananda Newmark helping turn faculty feedback into action that informs students’ foundational learning
Ananda Newmark, Ph.D., VCU School of Social Work professor, and a university colleague recently presented at a national conference on a methodology for quickly turning faculty feedback into university-level action that supports faculty who are teaching general education courses. Newmark and Virginia Wray Totaro, M.S., director of general education in VCU’s Academic Affairs, presented “From […]
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 […]