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 […]
Social work faculty lead interdisciplinary research advancing inclusive health science
At Virginia Commonwealth University, two interdisciplinary research grants co-led by School of Social Work faculty members are addressing complex health challenges while underscoring a commitment to inclusivity. Karen Chartier, Ph.D., professor, and Jacob Goffnett, Ph.D., assistant professor, are each leading projects that bridge social work with fields ranging from medicine to the arts. Their work […]
A ‘Shakespearean sprite’ and a ‘giant’: Remembering the lives of Jane Reeves, Marilyn Biggerstaff
They both came east, to Richmond and VCU, in the 1970s. They overlapped at the School of Social Work for approximately 23 years. In their final years, they both resided at the Cedarfield Retirement Community in Richmond. And when they passed away earlier this year, only 29 days separated the deaths of Jane Reeves and […]
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 […]
Social work faculty and students presenting at SSWR 2026
Seventeen faculty and 11 doctoral students or candidates from the VCU School of Social Work are presenting or having their work presented at the annual Society for Social Work and Research conference in Washington, D.C., Jan. 14-18, 2026. Jamie Cage, Ph.D., associate professor, is the organizer for a symposium on child welfare Friday, Jan. 16, […]
Quarterly faculty research and service news: November 2025
The VCU School of Social Work is proud to recognize the following accomplishments from our faculty and staff through November 2025. Honors Kyeongmo Kim, Ph.D., associate professor, has been named a 2025 fellow by the Gerontological Society of America, in the Social Research, Policy and Practice Section. Research awards Yifan Lou, Ph.D., assistant professor, has […]
2025 Council on Social Work Education conference presentations
As the Council on Social Work Education‘s 70th Annual Program Meeting opens in Denver on Oct. 23, 2025, the VCU School of Social Work is proud to recognize our faculty and student scholars who are presenting or participating. Friday, Oct. 24 Building knowledge, building connections: How Child Welfare Addiction Fellows are changing practice and outcomes 12:30-1 […]
‘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 […]
Quarterly faculty research and service news: April 2025
The VCU School of Social Work is proud to recognize the following accomplishments from our faculty through April 2025. Research Awards & Proposals Daniel Baslock, Ph.D., assistant professor, has submitted two grant applications: Nicole Corley, Ph.D., associate professor, received a VCU Global Learning Program Development Award to support a virtual exchange program this spring between […]