Quarterly faculty research and service news: November 2024
The VCU School of Social Work is proud to recognize the following accomplishments from our faculty this fall through November 2024. Funding Amy Adkins, Ph.D., assistant professor, College of Humanities & Sciences in conjunction with the School of Social Work-led Institute for Research on Behavioral and Emotional Health Dr. Adkins and IRBEH were awarded a […]
Gary Cuddeback named VCU School of Social Work dean
Gary S. Cuddeback, Ph.D., has been named dean of Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work, effective Oct. 28, 2024. Cuddeback, who has served as interim dean since July 2023, was named following a national search. “I’m honored by this appointment as I believe there has never been a better time to be part of VCU’s School […]
Katelynn Jarrells, Viola Vaughan-Eden win prestigious alumni honors
VCU School of Social Work alumni Katelynn Jarrells (B.S.W.’16, M.S.W’17) and Viola Vaughan-Eden (Ph.D.’03) have earned prestigious honors this fall from VCU’s Office of Alumni Relations. Jarrells, the program head and associate professor of human services and mental health at Brightpoint Community College, in September was named one of VCU’s 10 Under 10 award honorees […]
2024 Council on Social Work Education conference presentations
As the Council on Social Work Education‘s 70th Annual Program Meeting opens in Kansas City on Oct. 24, 2024, the VCU School of Social Work is proud to recognize our faculty, student scholars and social work alumni who are presenting or participating. CSWE Program Director Academy A special congratulations to two of our program directors who […]
How she found her research: Josselyn Valenzuela
Josselyn Valenzuela began working on a School of Nursing-based project, the Mindful Moms Study, as a B.S.W. student and has continued after graduating in May 2024 and enrolling in the School of Social Work’s M.S.W. Program. Mindful Moms examines mental health – particularly depression – and well-being during pregnancy for both Spanish- and English-speaking participants. The team […]
Office of Field Education names 2024 community award winners
The VCU School of Social Work is pleased to announce the six recipients of its 2024 Office of Field Education Community Partner Awards. Outstanding New Field Instructor Award Alum Chaniqua Jones (M.S.W.’19), Richmond Behavioral Health Criteria: A field instructor new to the role (within one to two years) this academic year who should be recognized for […]
Message from Dr. Stevara Haley Clark: Unveiling an unstoppable fall semester ahead
Dear School of Social Work students, Welcome to the first day of classes (FDOC) for the fall semester! We are unbelievably excited to kick off this new academic year with you, whether you’re joining us on campus or virtually. After the summer break, we hope you are feeling undeniably refreshed and ready to dive into […]
After 28 years of ‘doing’ at VCU, Liz Cramer plans to stay busy as a human ‘being’
Elizabeth “Liz” Cramer, Ph.D., says her career in social work was always about who she wanted to be and not what she wanted to do. “I was fortunate that I’ve had a career as a social worker and social work educator that fostered who I’ve wanted to be in my life,” she says. “I realize […]
Lakeside writing retreat helps build community among social work doctoral students
Third- and fourth-year social work doctoral students have a unique site for a now-annual writing retreat where they can focus on their qualifying papers and dissertations: a vacation home on Lake Anna that alum Keita Franklin (Ph.D.’10) has loaned to the Ph.D. Program for a fall weekend since 2022. Franklin, a specialist executive at Deloitte […]
Ph.D. student Samuel Ochinang’s finds spot at intersection of military service, social work
VCU School of Social Work Ph.D. student Samuel Ochinang grew up in a military family and has found his calling at the intersection of social work and serving as an active-duty Army major with the Medical Service Corps. “My journey in the Ph.D. program, along with my position, will improve my technical and managerial skills […]