Assistant professor Rainier Masa was named as a 2017 Developmental Awardee by UNC CFAR (Center for AIDS Research) for his work on, “A Feasibility Study of Umwini, an Asset-Based Intervention to Improve Treatment Outcomes of Adolescents Living with HIV (ALHIV) in Eastern Province, Zambia.”
Dean Gary Bowen recently served as the guest speaker for the fall doctoral hooding ceremony at UNC-Greensboro. Bowen is a double graduate of UNC-G, having earned both is MSW and Ph.D. from the university. Bowen was also recently appointed to the National Advisory Council of Camp Corral, a nonprofit that provides summer camp experiences to children of wounded, injured, ill or fallen military service members.
The School’s Social Innovation Lab and the Jordan Institute for Families introduced Christina Hill-Coillot as the new social innovation and entrepreneur manager. In this new role, Hill-Coillot will work closely with students, faculty, staff and communities to support innovation and to assist the School in building a nationally recognized program that is self-sustaining and revenue generating.
Hill-Coillot has been practicing as a licensed clinical social worker since 1998. She served as the deputy director for Yolo County Mental Health Services, where she oversaw all clinical service planning and delivery and worked proactively with the County Board of Supervisors and consumers. During her seven-year tenure there, she also helped develop and implement programs, such as Housing First Homelessness, Consumer Run Wellness Center, Supported Employment, Consumer Staff, Assertive Community Treatment and Mental Health Court. Later, she worked as a consultant to the California Mental Health Services Authority to lead the implementation of multi-county, innovative programs in student mental health, suicide prevention and statewide stigma and discrimination reduction.
As the former owner of two Fleet Feet Sports stores, Hill-Coillot was awarded recognition for operating one of the best running stores in America for community engagement and program innovation. She received a national grant for “VetFit” an innovative physical and social program for homeless veterans and the “Never Stop Exploring” grant award, which allowed her to launch projects such as a triathlon training group for women 70 years and older.
“(Christina) has significant skills in social media marketing, digital marketing and branding,” praised Sarah Verbiest, director of the Jordan Institute for Families. “In addition to her skills, Christina has great energy and strategic thinking.”
Clinical associate professor Lisa Zerden, Ph.D. alumna Erica Richman and doctoral candidate Brianna Lombardi presented, “The Accountable Care Workforce: Bridging the Health Divide in North Carolina,” at the AHEC Regional Conference on December 7.
MSW students Frank Allison and Lynn Seay Wetherbee have been awarded the Governor’s Institute Scholarship. The Governor’s Institute is a nonprofit primarily funded by the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse services, which focuses on project management, workforce development and training students and practitioners within the state. The scholarship program focuses on enhancing the workforce of licensed clinical addiction specialists (LCAS) in rural North Carolina. Scholars are selected based on need and a commitment to pursuing their LCAS. Allison is in his final year in the Triangle Distance Education program and Wetherbee is a final year student in the full time program.
