May 2024 Dean's Update Newsletter

“Now, go out and change the world!”

Each year, the recognition ceremonies for our BSW, MSW and PhD graduates end with those words. But even before they walk across the stage to celebrate completing their degrees, our students are making an impact.

This year’s BSW and MSW graduates contributed 132,349 service hours through practicum. Inside and outside the classroom, they committed to community service, activism, leadership, research and engagement in communities across Kansas and the U.S.

On May 10, we celebrated our first classes of graduates from the MSW partnership program with K-State Salina and the new online MSW program through Jayhawk Global. Nearly 90 of our MSW graduates attended classes at the KU Edwards Campus, and 27 completed their MSW at our Pittsburg State University partnership site.

Please join me in congratulating all our graduates. You can share in their celebrations with our photo gallery from graduation weekend.

As those graduates take their degrees into the workforce, they join a profession with a set of values – service, integrity and social justice – that sets it apart. I encourage our alumni and friends to complete the Social Work Census, which aims to be the most inclusive survey of social workers ever undertaken. More information is in this month’s newsletter.

Now, go out and change the world!

As always, share questions or concerns at any time at kusswdo@ku.edu. Your feedback and collaboration are extremely important to us.

Michelle Carney, PhD, MSSA
Dean and Professor
KU School of Social Welfare

BSW graduates Olivia Sourivong and Ella Hinson spoke about their experiences with the KU School of Social Welfare before they walked across the Lied Center stage during Commencement Weekend. 

Graduation represents more than a time frame. It’s a mindset and dedication. It represents an era of diligent work and joyful memories with peers.

“I think what I will miss most is probably my professors,” Sourivong said. “I may be a little biased toward my Toni Johnson Scholar mentors, Claire (Willey-Sthapit) and Joonmo (Kang), just because I spend so much time with them.”

Robbin Cole spent the last day of her mental health career absorbing all she accomplished and why she chose to be a social worker decades ago. Retirement will do that.

She got her master’s degree from the KU School of Social Welfare in 1987, but Cole will tell you that she was chosen for this career path.

Cole’s first job after getting her Bachelor of Social Work from Kansas State was at Wharton Manor Nursing Home. An interaction with a psychiatrist from Pawnee Mental Health Services helped Cole realize this was the direction she wanted to go with work.

But mental health was prominent in Cole’s life far before then.

Three KU School of Social Welfare professors have earned promotions for the upcoming academic year.

Dr. Jason Matejkowksi was promoted to full professor. Matejkowski joined the School in 2012, and has served as associate dean for academic programs since 2020.

Dr. Meredith Bagwell-Gray was promoted to associate professor with tenure. Bagwell-Gray joined the School in 2018.

Dr. Sarah Jen was promoted to associate professor with tenure. Jen joined the School in 2018, and serves as PhD program director and director of the Sigler Family Aging Scholars Program.

The Margo Awards are named for Margaret Schutz Gordon, professor emeritus, who served with distinction as professor and director of practicum education at the KU School of Social Welfare from 1970 to 1983.

Exceptional Performance in BSW Practicum 
Kareem Hammouda, Center for Supportive Communities 
 
Exceptional Performance in MSW Foundation Practicum 
Chloe Meisel, Tonganoxie Elementary School 

Exceptional Performance in MSW Advanced Year Practicum
Meg Bourne, Rapha International

Excellence in BSW Practicum Instruction
Reshida Roné, Women’s Employment Network

Excellence in MSW Foundation Practicum Instruction
Carissa Welsh, Lawrence High School

Excellence in MSW Advanced Year Practicum Instruction
Amanda Erwin, Wyandot Behavioral Health Network

Congratulations to this year’s winners, nominees and graduates! 

Our student speakers during the graduate recognition ceremonies are chosen by their fellow graduates. Congratulations to this year's speakers!

The Social Work Census is the most inclusive survey of social workers ever undertaken.

Help the social work profession learn as much as possible about who social workers are and what they do. Every social worker, social work student, social work educator and social service worker is invited to complete the Social Work Census.

The Social Work Census will:

CCEC: Self-care Strategies in Election Season
Thursday, September 19, 12-1:30 p.m. CT
Zoom
Free
CEU: 1.5 ethics

In memory

Michael G. Kennedy, BSW 1979, MSW 1981, of Yuma, Arizona, passed away on March 5, 2024, at age 68. Read obituary.

Jessica Louise Robinson, MSW 2017, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away on April 14, 2024, at age 32. Read obituary.

Whether you just received a promotion, started a new position or project, or moved across the country, the School of Social Welfare wants to keep updated on your life adventures. Update your contact information and share your alumni news.

The KU School of Social Welfare held recognition ceremonies for BSW, MSW and PhD candidates on Friday, May 10 at the Lied Center. Staff, students and families celebrated accomplishments together. Check out photos from the event from SSW staff and photographer Earl Richardson through the link below.

Photos from Graduation

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