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 […]
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 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 […]
Honoring George Floyd: There’s still work to be done
As we mark the two-year anniversary this week of the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, social workers everywhere are continuing to fight systemic racism. The VCU School of Social work and professional organizations like NASW and NASW-Virginia support greater racial equity and multicultural competence among social work students, practicing social workers and their clients. […]
School of Social Work Annual Report: 100+ snapshots that tell a story of strength, resilience, adaptability
As the VCU School of Social Work takes a look back at the past 18 months through the lens of our first Annual Report publication, it’s clear that the big picture is really a series of smaller snapshots and their collective impact. You will find more than 100 of these snapshots throughout the pages of […]
Dean’s update: BHM & our commitment to social, racial justice
Dear SSW Community, February marks Black History Month, when we are invited to celebrate the role and contributions of Black Americans to American history. As Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway reminded us in a recent New York Times editorial, the recognition of Black History Month can be made deeper and more meaningful if it “produces […]
6 student fellows join school task force focused on racial justice and equity
The VCU School of Social Work has selected six students for new Radical Alliance for Anti-Racism, Change and Equity (RAACE) student fellowships as part of efforts in the school to conduct a self-examination of oppression and anti-Blackness. The students represent the Association of Black Social Workers at VCU student organization and the school’s three academic […]
‘A beautiful moment’: Social work alum honored for nondiscrimination advocacy in Michigan
VCU social work alum Sara Van Tongeren, Rev. Jennifer Adams and Jeffrey Sorenson received social justice awards from the city of Holland, Michigan, in January. For VCU School of Social Work alum Sara Van Tongeren (M.S.W.’08/SW), a “surreal” seven-hour city council meeting in August 2020 was delayed gratification for the passage of a long-awaited nondiscrimination […]
Mid-semester message from dean, associate dean
Dear School of Social Work Students, We reach out to you as we move into mid-semester to acknowledge the heavy weight of this time, and to remind you of ways you can communicate with us as administrative leaders of the School. As you maneuver learning during a global pandemic and during a time when we […]
Incoming ABSW president: ‘Change is NOW’
Felicia A. Smith earned her B.S.W. degree in May 2020 from the VCU School of Social Work and served as the B.S.W. graduation speaker during the virtual Commencement ceremony. She starts the master’s program in August 2020 and will serve as president of the Association of Black Social Workers, a student organization. In the last […]