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School of Social Work 2023-2024 Academic Year-In-Review

Posted on July 2, 2024

by Chris Hilburn-Trenkle

It was an notable academic year for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work. From ranking as the No. 4 best graduate school for social work in the nation to faculty members receiving prestigious honors at the 2024 Society for Social Work and Research Conference and announcing the July 1 arrival of a new vice dean to the School, there were plenty of reasons to celebrate. Here is a look back at some of the most memorable moments for our students, staff and faculty during the 2023-24 academic year. 

August

School raises historic $10 million+ in 2022-2023 fiscal year

For the first time in the School’s 100+ year history, more than $10 million in private gifts, pledges and grants were received during a single fiscal year. The last time the School set a similar historic fundraising record was in 2009, when $4.7 million in donations were received.

New online master of social work program addresses critical workforce needs

The new Carolina program, offering a curriculum accredited by the Council for Social Work Education, adds a robust online offering as a fourth pathway for prospective students — including working professionals — who are interested in completing a master’s degree in social work from the School. Online students are being taught by the same renowned faculty and completing the same coursework as in-person students.

More stories from the month of August:

 

September

School of Social Work announces inaugural Golden Policy Fellows cohort

Inaugural Golden Policy Fellows Cohort
Twenty-five students in the School of Social Work MSW program who are set to graduate in 2025 were selected in the first of two Golden Policy Fellows cohorts.

All in the Family (by Alyssa LaFaro, UNC Research)

Ramona Denby-Brinson, Dean of the UNC School of Social Work. (Photo courtesy of Alyssa LaFaro)
Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson has spent the last 30 years keeping children out of the foster system and in the homes of relatives.

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October

Governor’s Office invests in youth mental health across 100 N.C. counties

Youth Mental Heath First Aid — Featuring images of Sabrina Malagon, Paul Lanier, Alicia Freeman and Sarah Reives-Houston
The North Carolina Governor’s Office made a $4.6 million commitment to a program housed at UNC’s School of Social Work.

School Of Social Work celebrates expansion of practicum education

Practicum Expansion
Over the past 34 years, as the School of Social Work has created a bigger footprint and seen its influence and ability to help others around the state grow, practicum education has evolved with it.

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November

Tiny homes, huge impact

A wide curving sidewalk allows access to 15 one-bedroom tiny homes placed in a large circle around a central grassy courtyard with mature trees beyond. Inset: Co-director Amy Blank Wilson addresses the crowd using a microphone; project coordinator Jamie Swaine enjoys conversation with others at the event.
Friends of the Tiny Homes Village gathered at a 40-acre farm eight miles southwest of campus for an off-site event hosted by UNC School of Social Work.

2023 CSWE Annual Program Meeting Recap

SSW colleagues pose for a photo in front of our flower wall during the reception.
UNC School of Social Work faculty, staff and students attended the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Annual Program Meeting (APM) from Oct. 26–29, 2023, in Atlanta. The 2023 APM theme was “It’s Time to Act: Defining and Reckoning With Anti-Racist Social Work Education.” School of Social Work attendees presented on topics ranging from off-site field instruction to peer support to address wellness crises. The School also hosted a reception for alumni and friends and had a strong presence in the exhibit hall throughout the weekend.  

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December

Institute brings together UNC suicide prevention researchers

Several researchers on campus are focusing their efforts on suicide-related intervention research and the Suicide Prevention Institute is hoping to link their work across schools and departments.

School of Social Work employees receive 2023 Staff Impact Awards

Aisha Stocks receives her Above and Beyond 2023 Staff Impact Award certificate from Kimberly Strom.
The five recipients of the Staff Impact Awards were recognized for their hard work, positive spirit, loyalty and more.

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January

Four UNC School of Social Work professors receive prestigious honors at 28th annual SSWR Conference

Four School of Social Work professors were honored for their excellence in the field of social work during the 2024 SSWR Conference in Washington, D.C.

“What are you doing with your gift?”

UNC School of Social Work board member Deloris Jordan accepted the Coretta Scott King Soul of the Nation Award on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.

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February

Harambee celebration returns to UNC School of Social Work

UNC School of Social Work student Diana Kerolos reads poetry
After a three-year hiatus, students from the School of Social Work “all pulled together” to bring back one of the School’s beloved traditions — Harambee. 

UNC School of Social Work ranked fourth in national research expenditures

School of Social Work researchers helped the school secure a top four placement in the latest NSF HERD Survey.

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March

Building dividends in Zambia

A group representing UNC School of Social Work visited Solwezi, Zambia, with longtime collaborators from Rising Fountains Development Program (RFDP), a Zambian nonprofit organization founded in 2000, to learn more about local women’s savings and credit groups.

Looking back at more than 30 years of the School of Social Work doctoral program

To celebrate more than 30 years of excellence and helping to bring about social change, we spoke with current and former students and faculty members who shared their memories of the doctoral program, its impact and the connections it helped them build and maintain throughout the profession.

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April

UNC School of Social Work ranked No. 4 best graduate school for social work in the nation

The School of Social Work moved up three spots in the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best Graduate Schools” rankings, rising to a tie for fourth in the nation among the 319 surveyed social work schools accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education.  

Hawkins named to new vice dean role at UNC School of Social Work 

Robert L. Hawkins, Ph.D., was named to the new position of vice dean at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work, effective July 1.  

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May

School of Social Work Tar Heels celebrate 2024 commencement

More than 140 students were recognized during the UNC School of Social Work’s 103rd annual spring commencement ceremony.

Q&A: Doctoral student Dee Williams focuses on growth of Mental Health First Aid training at UNC

We spoke with Denise “Dee” Yookong Williams, ’25 (Ph.D.), to learn about their MHFA student doctoral grant, the growth of mental health first aid training at UNC and more.

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June

Legislative liaisons

United States Capitol Building in Washington DC.
A trio of School of Social Work faculty members had the opportunity this past year to share their expertise with lawmakers, informing their representatives about their areas of expertise within the field of social work.

Associate Professor Rachel Goode works to achieve health equity for Black women

Rachel Goode, recently promoted to associate professor at the School of Social Work, has worked to bridge the divide between research in the areas of obesity and eating disorders.

More stories from the month of June:

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