Social work supporters contribute $3.2 million to Make It Real Campaign
“Giving 110 percent” is one of the oldest cliches in the books. But the VCU School of Social Work’s network of donors, alumni and friends have turned a trite saying into an amazing reality. When the university closed the books on the eight-year Make It Real Campaign at the end of June, giving to the […]
Social Justice in Politics with Dr. Charles Lewis
The VCU School of Social Work welcomed Charles E. Lewis, Ph.D., founder and director of the Congressional Research Institute of Social Work and Policy (CRISP), to a virtual event, Social Justice in Politics: Get out the vote in 2020, on Sept. 16. Lewis, a social worker, discussed the role of social work in the democratic […]
Fall 2020 Convocation
In her Convocation address on Aug. 28, alumna Jackie Washington (B.S.W.’16/SW; M.S.W.’17/SW) reminded all of us how important – and revolutionary – it is to acknowledge our feelings and emotions. As social workers, we know that means both self-care and community solidarity because we are living and learning together not in a sterile laboratory, but […]
Fall 2020 updates from the dean, associate dean
Dear School of Social Work Students, Welcome to the 2020-2021 academic year at the VCU School of Social Work. Last week, we kicked off the fall semester with orientation and welcome sessions for one of our largest ever incoming classes – 298 M.S.W. students, 79 new B.S.W. students, and 4 new Ph.D. students – who […]
Dean Angell’s student update on fall 2020 semester
Dear SSW Students, VCU has created the One VCU: Responsible Together plan that outlines a phased approach to reopening campus that prioritizes student, faculty, and staff safety. This update provides information about how these guidelines and procedures will affect students in our B.S.W., M.S.W. and Ph.D. programs. Student Responsibilities. As described in VCU’s plan, students […]
Communication from Dean Angell on anti-Black racism and violence
I want to welcome all of the new students beginning their social work careers with us this summer, including our largest-ever cohort of 39 M.S.W. Advanced Standing students and our first ever summer entry cohort of 65 online M.S.W. students. I also want to welcome those of you continuing in our B.S.W., M.S.W., and Ph.D. […]
Lost in translation: Social Work student researches how overlooked refugees find ways to cope
Jessica Gaddy spent three weeks last summer in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, researching the psychosocial challenges and coping mechanisms of refugees.
Introducing Denise Burnette, Ph.D., VCU School of Social Work Samuel S. Wurtzel Endowed Chair in Social Work
After a rigorous national search, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Denise Burnette, Ph.D. as the Samuel S. Wurtzel Endowed Chair in Social Work. Denise joins the School of Social Work from Columbia University where she served in education, research and administrative leadership roles for 25 years. She has held Fulbright fellowships at […]
Making an impact from day one
Every April, the Virginia Commonwealth University provides new and prospective students the opportunity to visit campus and get a taste of what VCU life is like during Preview Day. This year during Preview Day, the School of Social Work teamed up with community-partner, Greater Richmond SCAN (Stop Child Abuse Now) to provide students hands-on social […]
Meet Jennifer L.K. Charles, Ph.D. candidate
Charles is a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned her M.S.W. from Barry University after earning a B.A. from Virginia Tech. Her pre- and post-M.S.W. practice experience was in community mental health, substance abuse services and psychiatric social work. Specifically, Charles worked in a crisis stabilization unit and as an outpatient […]