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 […]
Meet M.S.W. student Sha’Dyamond Bond
Sha’Dyamond Bond‘s grandparents were foster parents who adopted children, motivating her interest in becoming a social worker. “Now I’m on the outside looking in and helping others, too,” she says. Sha’Dyamond is participating in the Child Welfare Stipend Program at VCU, and her first field placement is at C2Adopt in Henrico. “It’s going very well. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Meet Jae Lange: ‘So proud to be fighting alongside my team and my community, fighting to end homelessness’
Jae Lange says they were a social worker long before a job or degree made it official. “I was born one, and I will die one,” says Jae, a first-generation student in the B.S.W. Program who also is a direct service specialist for a grant-funded project administered by the School of Social Work. Marsha and […]
Cultural Achievement Ceremonies are full of social work vibes in 2024
The VCU Office of Multicultural Student Affairs’ six Cultural Achievement Ceremonies each spring are celebrations of students’ hard work on their journey to graduation and an affirmation of their cultural identities. And this year, there were strong social work vibes with four of the events, as five School of Social Work M.S.W. students and one […]
Tales of 2024 social work graduates
VCU School of Social Work’s Class of 2024 featured a diverse mix of graduates and areas of interest. Here are highlights from a few of our newest alumni: Child welfare advocate Angela-Marie Rone earns a second social work degree Growing up in Yorktown, Virginia, she became interested in child welfare based on the experiences of friends who […]
Honoring student excellence for 2023-24
The VCU School of Social Work is pleased to recognize the academic and service excellence of more than 100 students for the 2023-2024 academic year. Honors include participation of students who were recognized for their pursuit as applicants for prestigious scholarships and fellowships through VCU’s National Scholarship Office; VCU and School of Social Work annual […]
B.S.W. student Austin Ezzard wins VCU’s signature award for cross-cultural relations
B.S.W. student Austin Ezzard is one of two student winners of the Tristen Sloane Presidential Award for Community Multicultural Enrichment, announced in April as part of VCU’s Presidential Awards for Community Multicultural Enrichment (PACME). Along with Ezzard, other winners are: Ezzard is a graduating senior who received a number of awards during the 2022-2023 year, and […]