December 2024 Dean's Update Newsletter | |
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2024 has been a busy year for the KU School of Social Welfare.
As our students finish fall final exams this week, our staff is completing preparations to move from Twente Hall on the KU Lawrence Campus to a new home in Green Hall. You can read more about our student-first approach to the new space in this month’s newsletter.
Our academic programs, researchers, and community engagement efforts have also experienced changes and milestones this year. Just a few highlights include:
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I wish you all a restful and joyful winter season, and best wishes for the new year.
As always, please reach out to me with questions or concerns at any time at kusswdo@ku.edu. Your feedback and collaboration are extremely important to us.
Take good care and Rock Chalk,
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Michelle Carney, PhD, MSSA
Dean and Professor
KU School of Social Welfare
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New space at Green Hall puts students first |
When KU social work students arrive on the Lawrence campus for the spring 2025 semester, they’ll be headed to a new academic home.
The KU School of Social Welfare is relocating from Twente Hall to Green Hall in January, moving into the third floor of Green Hall. An extensive renovation of the space is designed to meet student needs.
“This really has been developed with a student-first approach,” said Michelle Carney, dean of the School of Social Welfare.
“In every area, we were asking, ‘What’s best for our students?’ How do we create a space that works for group work, conversations, and all the things we do in social work?”
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Social Welfare assistant professor wants research to inform future community organizing, social movements |
The Kansas City Metro area made a lasting impact on Tadeo Weiner Davis (he/him). He was born in La Paz, Bolivia but moved to Kansas City when he was 8 years old and grew up there.
Weiner Davis was exposed to the communities and social movements in Kansas City and Chicago, and his effort toward a social work education led him on a path toward research that could inform the political work of marginalized groups in Kansas City.
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Finding community and compassion: A look at Community Care Days at the School of Social Welfare |
At the School of Social Welfare, Community Care Days offer a refreshing break from the stress of academic life. These events prioritize collective well-being and camaraderie among students, faculty, and staff.
Each semester, a series of events aims to counter the strains of academic and personal duties. Laura Ramirez, an associate professor of practice and coordinator of the School's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, collaborated this year with Hazel Rogers, the School's student support coordinator, to bring these events to life.
"Each semester we're hoping that we're helping our social welfare school community find moments of compassion, rest, connection and rejuvenation,” Ramirez said.
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Alumni spotlight: Latrese Kabuya
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A calling to social work came right on time for Latrese Kabuya, who received her Master of Social Work degree (MSW) from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare in 2022.
Kabuya (she/her), never anticipated a career in social work, though she always had a gift for making those around her feel comfortable. She works as a child and family therapist at Amethyst Place, a recovering housing facility, and has a weekly television segment on Channel 5 called “Wellness Wednesday,” where she discusses mental health.
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Student spotlight: Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program
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Gaining leadership experience, applying research to their day-to-day work, and building advocacy skills are some of the reasons KU DSW students give for joining the program.
Now in its second year, the fully online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program at the University of Kansas aims to train expert practitioner-scholars, with a focus on leadership, management, teaching, and implementation science.
Watch video interviews with DSW students about why they enrolled in the Doctor of Social Work program.
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2024 Dean’s Recognition of Staff Excellence awarded to Vanessa Sanburn, Annie Handshy |
The new Dean’s Recognition of Staff Excellence celebrates staff members who have demonstrated commitment, teamwork, innovation, and outstanding service to the KU School of Social Welfare. Recipients for 2024:
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Vanessa Sanburn, School of Social Welfare, for her work as the School's first student support coordinator during the 2023-2024 academic year.
- Annie Handshy, KU Facilities Planning & Development, for her work as project manager for the School's move from Twente Hall to Green Hall.
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Sanburn and Handshy’s commitment to the school’s well-being was evident as they provided guidance and responsiveness to help navigate challenges during the school year.
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Save the date: One Day One KU is Feb. 20-21
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One Day One KU - KU's 24-hour day of giving - is coming up on Feb. 20-21.
The School of Social Welfare is recruiting ambassadors to help us raise funds for practicum student support, scholarships and student programs during this year's event.
Sign up as an ambassador for One Day One KU.
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Kendra Knight, MSW 2021, started as an adjunct social work professor at Metropolitan Community College in August 2023.
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Dr. Ernest N. Gullerud, MSW 1953, passed away on Oct. 25, 2024, at age 95. Read obituary.
Ronald R. Cordes, MSW 1976, passed away on Dec. 11, 2024, at age 80. Read obituary.
Antonia Dobrec, MSW 1976, passed away on Nov. 5, 2024. Read obituary.
Carol Joy Ellenberger, BSW 1987, MSW 1991, passed away on Dec. 10, 2024, at age 83. Read obituary.
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Photos: Practicum Education Day
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Thank you to everyone who joined us for Practicum Day at the KU Edwards Campus in November!
This fall, 40 social service agencies and programs tabled at the event, and over 80 students attended. The event included resume, licensure and practicum planning consultations for students, professional portraits, and a chance for students to talk with community partners about practicum and career opportunities.
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The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and are the Title IX coordinators for their respective campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, civilrights@ku.edu, Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY (for the Lawrence, Edwards, Parsons, Yoder, and Topeka campuses); Director, Equal Opportunity Office, Mail Stop 7004, 4330 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Fairway, KS 66205, 913-588-8011, 711 TTY (for the Wichita, Salina, and Kansas City, Kansas medical center campuses).
The University of Kansas is a public institution governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.
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