Statement on Jacksonville shootings
Dear, SSW Community, It is with profound sadness, and anger, that I write to you today about the tragic events that occurred over the weekend in Jacksonville, Florida, where a white man shot and killed three Black people. The motive was racist and evil. Plain and simple. On behalf of the School of Social Work […]
Statement on Supreme Court ruling
Dear SSW community, Many of you may be aware of recent Supreme Court ruling, 303 Creative LLC v. Elenis, has upheld a position that erode the rights of same-sex couples. The leadership of the SSW at VCU affirms the school’s commitment to honor and advocate for all human rights and joins the National Association of […]
Statement on the death of Irvo Otieno
Dear School of Social Work community, As many of us learned Thursday about the death of Irvo Otieno, we experienced an all-too-familiar mix of anguish and trauma. We grieve for the Richmond community who lost a son, a friend, a neighbor; and we grieve for those who are unable to safely receive support for mental […]
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 […]
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 […]
Statement on Colorado Springs shooting
Dear School of Social Work community, It is heartbreaking to reach out to you once again in the wake of a hate crime, this time directed at the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado Springs. We grieve for those five killed and 18 injured, and their families; and we stand in solidarity with those directly impacted in […]
Statements on shooting in Charlottesville
Dear School of Social Work Community, As you begin your day this morning with heavy hearts, I join you in grief for our neighbors at UVA. I am grateful for our community and the confidence I have that we will support each other. Continue supporting, extending kindness and holding space for each other. Please also share and utilize counseling […]
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 […]
Interim Dean Gomez: What to know for the Fall 2022 semester
As interim dean of the VCU School of Social Work, I am excited to usher in a new academic year starting Aug. 23! We are welcoming several hundred new students as well as new faculty and staff or those transitioning to different roles. We are pleased to be offering amazing opportunities for engagement and connectivity. […]
Message from the interim dean regarding Uvalde, Texas, shooting
Dear School of Social Work community, My heart is heavy today as I try to process the lives lost in Uvalde, Texas, as well as those forever changed. Many of you know that the place I consider home is an hour and a half from Uvalde, and I love and am deeply connected to this […]