Angela Shelton to present her award-winning documentary film

At age 27, Angela Shelton, actress, comedian, and screenwriter (best known for Tumbleweeds), set out to create a documentary of American women’s experiences by interviewing women who shared her name. She went on the road in a rented motor home with a small crew to interview Angela Sheltons across the country.

Unexpectedly, she found that 70% of the Angela Sheltons she encountered had been victims of rape, childhood sexual assault and/or domestic violence. This surprising journey led Angela to confront her own abusive past.

Her multi-award-winning documentary, “Searching for Angela Shelton,” has started a grassroots movement of survivors and humanitarian organizations around the world who are breaking the silence about the epidemic of abuse. She also wrote a book, “Finding Angela Shelton,” and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, 48 Hours Investigates and Larry King Live.

On Saturday, April 26, Angela visits the School of Social Work to present her award-winning film and give a lecture at 5:00 p.m. A wine & cheese reception and book signing will follow at 7:00 p.m. There is no charge for this event, but please pre-register online or call (919) 843-1759. Flyer


Alumni volunteers needed for job preparation workshop

The School of Social Work will sponsor a “Before, During and After the Interview” job preparation workshop for current SSW students on Monday, March 17 from 12:15-1:30 p.m. in Room 300 of the Tate-Turner-Kuralt building. We would like to have a panel of alumni present at the workshop to discuss their interviewing experiences, share tips for the interviewing process, and respond to student questions. If you are interested in participating in this workshop, please contact Sarah Naylor at (919) 962-6444 or smnaylor@email.unc.edu for more information.

Andrew Bridge (center) with faculty members Rebecca Brigham and Evelyn Williams

Author and children's rights lawyer Andrew Bridge visits the School

The UNC School of Social Work Field Education Program and NC Child Welfare Education Collaborative welcomed Andrew Bridge to the School on February 25 for a lecture. Andrew's book "Hope’s Boy" is the brutally honest memoir of his experience in the foster care system and his determination to rise above his circumstances. He has dedicated his life’s work to helping children living in poverty and in the foster care system."Hope's Boy" is currently on the New York Times Bestsellers List.




Students march for social justice

A group of UNC School of Social Work students participated in a march at the state Capitol on Saturday, February 9 as part of the "Historic Thousands of Jones Street" annual rally. Several thousand activists paraded through downtown Raleigh to support a 14-point agenda of social reforms. Pictured left to right are: Sarah Axelson, Blake Anderson, Hope Marasco, Mary Johnson Rockers, Mallory Vinson and Susanna Birdsong.




Career Day and Job Fair to be held April 7

The School of Social Work hosts its annual Career Day/Job Fair on Monday, April 7 from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. We welcome potential employers to take advantage of this free opportunity to recruit well-qualified MSW and BSW graduates. For information or to register, please contact Beth Sauer at (919) 962-6443 or bhsauer@email.unc.edu.



Continuing Education Workshop scheduled

Immediately following Career Day on Monday, April 7, the School is hosting a continuing education workshop. Registration will start at 1:30 p.m. and the workshop will run from 2:00-4:00 in the Tate-Turner-Kuralt building. Tina Souders, Clinical Assistant Professor and Director of our Winston-Salem Distance Education MSW Program, will present "The Ethics of Silence." This workshop is free of charge and all attendees will receive two continuing education units. Space is limited, so please RSVP by Thursday, April 3 to Kristen Huffman at (919) 843-7285 or Kristen_Huffman@unc.edu.


Alumni/Student Networking Reception

All UNC School of Social Work alumni are invited to an alumni-student networking reception immediately following the Career Day workshop on Monday, April 7 from 4:00-5:30 p.m. Please join us for this unique opportunity to talk with students who are eager to hear your experiences after finishing your MSW. Please RSVP by Thursday, April 3 to Kristen Huffman at (919) 843-7285 or Kristen_Huffman@unc.edu.


Asheville and Winston-Salem area alumni invited to dine with the Dean

All Asheville area alumni are invited to join the Dean for dinner at La Paz in Asheville on Thursday, March 27 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Alumni are also invited to a luncheon with the Dean in Winston-Salem on Wednesday, April 23 from 12:00-1:30 p.m. at Big Shotz Tavern.

Please RSVP for these events to Kristen Huffman at (919) 843-7285 or e-mail.


Clinical Lecture Series dates

March 17 - Using Transference and Counter-transference. Speaker: David Freeman, MD. April 21 - Steps to More Powerful Groups. Speaker: Bohdan Hrynewych, MSW, LCSW, LCAS. All lectures take place on Mondays in the School of Social Work auditorium from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.; two contact hours. Click here for more info and to register.



Call for nominations: The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award

The UNC School of Social Work is currently accepting nominations for the 2008 Distinguished Alumnus/Alumna Award. To qualify, the nominee must be a graduate of the School and meet some of the following criteria:

1. Demonstrate outstanding leadership and make significant contributions to the field of social work.
2. Demonstrate a deep commitment to high ethical social work standards.
3. Develop and/or implement major innovations that have improved the quality of life for members in her/his community.
4. Benefit her/his clients, the professional community and the social work profession through special contributions, advocacy and involvement in professional, civic or community organizations.
5. Be an effective advocate for social work issues.

Please submit your nominations by April 1 to Kristen Huffman via e-mail, or mail to Kristen's attention: UNC School of Social Work, Campus Box #3550, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3550. Be sure to include a letter or paragraph about the person you are nominating which explains why your nominee should be considered. If you have any other questions, please call Kristen at (919) 843-7285.


Combating Sex Trafficking conference to be held April 3-4

In conjunction with the Carolina Women’s Center and other campus organizations, the School of Social Work and the Jordan Institute are co-sponsoring the second annual conference on Sexual Trafficking at the Friday Center on April 3-4. The title of this year’s conference is “Combating Sex Trafficking: Prevention and Intervention in North Carolina and Worldwide.” This conference has been made possible by the dedicated leadership of Linnea Smith and features many well-known speakers and activists. More information


Upcoming recruitment events

March 13-16: We will be at an event in College Park, Md. If you know of students or prospective applicants in that area who may be interested in our school, please have them contact Sharon Holmes Thomas at (919) 962-4367 or sholmes@email.unc.edu to arrange an appointment. March 19-21: The 3rd Annual African American Males Conference, “Focus on the Black Family,” hosted by North Carolina Central University at the Sheraton RTP. April 1-5: The National Association of Black Social Workers 40th Annual Conference, Los Angeles, Calif. April 2-4: The 2nd Annual Cultural Competence Conference, Embassy Suites Hotel, Concord, N.C.


Student receives Bryan fellowship for summer project

First year MSW student Erin Barger was selected for a $3,000 Bryan fellowship to pursue a summer project with the Arc of Orange County. Her project will evaluate and strengthen Arc's Summer Work and Wellness Program, which enables adolescents with developmental disabilities to experience various work and recreational activities, with the end goal of preparing them for successful transitions into adulthood and employment. The project will address problems with the existing program, including its untested efficacy, that too few youth are served, and long-term sustainability. Susan Parish will serve as Erin's faculty mentor.



Outstanding Doctoral Student named

Congratulations to Johanna Greeson, who was named this year's Outstanding Doctoral Student. A reception was recently held in her honor. Johanna is pictured with Kathleen Rounds, doctoral program chair.




Theme of National Social Work Month: On any given day, social workers help

Did you know that March is National Social Work Month?

"We know social workers serve their clients and their communities on any given day. We know we are a profession dedicated to communities, families and individuals. We know that we need to tell more people, with pride, about the good work we do," so states NASW's National Social Work Public Education Campaign.

NASW has created marketing materials for social workers to use to educate people about the breadth and depth of the profession. In addition, the following video shows people that, on any given day, social workers help in so many ways. More info

Gary Bowen traveled to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands February 17-24 as part of a UNC-Chapel Hill delegation working on a research collaboration with the University of San Francisco Quito (USFQ), a private university in Ecuador. The delegation met with leaders of the Charles Darwin Research Station and the Galapagos National Park, and visited Isabela Island, where invasive species of plants and animals, increasing tourism, and rapid immigration have begun to threaten the natural environment. Because it is in the midst of this rapid transformation, Isabela might be a likely spot for research into the interaction of humans and the environment, an area strength of UNC-Chapel Hill. Dr. Bowen's activities included meetings with social work faculty at USFQ, as well as with public school officials in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island.


Iris Carlton-LaNey lectured at S.C. State University on February 28. She spoke on "African-Americans Aging in the Rural South: Stories That Have Implications for Practice." Following the lecture, Dr. Carlon-LaNey signed copies of her book, "African American Leadership: An Empowerment Tradition in Social Welfare History."

Michal Grinstein-Weiss presented her research on “The Impact of Low- and Moderate-Wealth Homeownership on Parental Attitudes & Behavior: Evidence from the Community Advantage Panel” at the Ford Foundation Self-Help annual summit in Durham. Her co–authors on this paper include Johanna Greeson, Yeong Yeo, Susanna Birdsong, Matt Despard, and Roberto Quercia.






Debbi Huntoon, MSW '87, has joined Duke University Hospital as a clinical social worker with adult oncology services. Her article, "Cancer in the Family," was published in the January/February 2008 issue of "Coping with Cancer" magazine.


Trishana D. McKendall, MSW '05, was nominated for the Administrator Extra Effort Award by her colleagues at the North Carolina Youth Advocacy and Involvement Office for demonstrating extraordinary maturity and resolve that lead to a successful family reunion in the case of a runaway girl. “Our goal was to get her home safely, and that’s exactly what Trishana did,” recalled YAIO Director Al Deitch. “She did a great job. This is a great example of child advocacy,” said Deitch. “We are proud to have Trishana on our staff.”

Lori Messinger, MSW '96, PhD '99, associate professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, received the Distinguished Contemporary Contribution to Baccalaureate Social Work Education Award. This award recognizes a social work educator's achievements in research and scholarship, pedagogy, curriculum development, and organizational leadership within the past 10 years. Presented by the National Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors.

Ariana Wall, PhD '05, assistant professor at the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, received the Summer Research Institute Fellowship, National Data Archive on Child Abuse and Neglect.


Matt Sullivan, MSW '97, visited the School of Social Work on March 3 to present a workshop on "Safety and the Social Worker" to students and faculty. Matt is a social worker with the Chapel Hill Police Department’s crisis unit. The workshop was inspired by recent assaults on social workers and therapists, both in North Carolina and nationally.







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