School of Social Welfare Dean's Update |
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KU School of Social Welfare graduates are everywhere. While many of our nearly 10,000 alumni live in Kansas and Missouri, there are Jayhawk Social Workers in every U.S. state and 19 countries around the world.
No matter where our graduates land, we hope they will stay in touch with the School. Share updates about your career, contact information or professional accomplishments through our Keep in Touch form. Or, join us for a continuing education and public scholarship event to stay up to date on new research and training.
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Map: KUSSW alumni by state
Over the past several years, we have worked to grow the number of KUSSW graduates and practicing social workers across Kansas by offering MSW program locations in western, central and southeast Kansas, as well as online.
In addition to bringing vital support services to Kansas residents, our alumni are part of a larger KU alumni group that adds $2.5 billion in income to the state economy, according to a new KU Economic Impact Study.
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Map: KUSSW alumni in Kansas by county
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In nonprofits, community mental health centers, schools, government agencies, community organizations, hospitals and many other settings, KU social workers have dedicated their lives to helping others. We are so proud of the work that you do.
As always, you can share questions or concerns at any time at kusswdo@ku.edu. Your feedback and collaboration are extremely important to us.
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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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MSW Spotlight: Callie Nichols |
“I chose to go into social work because I loved their approach of the holistic mindset, looking at the person and the environment,” said Callie Nichols, a recent MSW graduate. “I also loved that I would be practicing with people in two years.”
Nichols got her first taste of social work during her final year as an undergraduate student majoring in psychology. The introductory class stood out because it required volunteering opportunities, and Nichols made the most of that experience.
That got Nichols thinking: should she go into social work? The options for career paths seemed unlimited and the ability to jump into practice quickly was appealing.
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KU Social Welfare research center harnesses power of collaboration to create a healthier Kansas |
Launched last September, the Center for the Advancement of Healthcare for Everyone, housed in the KU School of Social Welfare, seeks to take on issues around health care access and find solutions through collaboration amongst scholars, researchers and community partners.
“These are such huge problems, it takes collective action, many people working together to move the needle on health equity,” said Carrie Wendel-Hummell, Principal Investigator and Co-Director, Center for the Advancement of Healthcare for Everyone.
“The purpose of the center is to bring us all together so that we can be more effective in our work.”
Story by Emily Becker, KU Endowment
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| Continuing education events in September |
KU Social Welfare faculty and alumni will share their expertise and research during two continuing education events in September.
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2025 School of Social Welfare Faculty Awards |
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Direct Support Worker Survey: Call for participation |
Did you start your journey in social services and advocacy as a Direct Support Worker? If so, we'd love to learn how your career journey helped you reach your current role.
To help us with this, we’ve created a brief survey where you can share your insights, stories, and experiences. We’re also looking to collect quotes or short video testimonials that highlight your journey and the impact this role has had on your career.
Once completed, this information – including quotes and video testimonials – will be featured on our new Kansas Direct Support Worker website. Our goal is to showcase the important work and career paths of Direct Support Workers to inspire and guide others.
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This is a message from Dr. Carrie Wendel-Hummell, a Principal Investigator in the KU School of Social Welfare’s Center for the Advancement of Healthcare for Everyone.
We are working with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to develop a career ladder for Direct Support Workers, such as home care aides, personal care attendants, and direct support professionals. The goal is to attract more people to direct support work and also help Direct Support Workers in advancing their careers in social service and health care fields.
As part of this effort, we are highlighting careers that direct support work helps prepare people for, including Social Work.
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Toward Trauma-Informed Schools
Thursday, Aug. 7
12-2 p.m.
Virtual
CEU: 2
Ethics, Technology, and AI in Social Work Practice: Navigating the Future Responsibly
Thursday, Aug. 14
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Virtual
CEU: 3 Ethics
DSW Information Sessions
Aug. 19, Sept. 16, Oct. 21
12-1 p.m.
Virtual
Research Impact Talk: Trauma-Informed Practice With Black Men, For Empowerment, Hope, and Healing
Wednesday, Sept. 10
12-1:30 p.m.
Virtual
CEU: 1.5
Bringing the Code to the Ballot: Social Work Practice in Elected Office
Wednesday, Sept. 24
12-2 p.m.
Virtual
CEU: 2 Ethics
Reclaiming Resilience: Centering Survivor Wisdom to Facilitate Thriving
Thursday, Oct. 16
12-2 p.m.
Virtual
CEU: 2
Healing at Every Level: Clinical Strategies for Youth DBT and a Vision for Rural Behavioral Health
Friday, Nov. 7
8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Center for Counseling and Consultation, Great Bend, KS
CEU: 3.5 (2 diagnosis/treatment, 1.5 general)
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Michelle Niedens, BSW 1984, MSW 1989, and Kelly Loeb, MSW 2010, presented as part of a panel discussion hosted by the KU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center for the movie “My Mama Joe: Hope and Help.” Niedens is the director of the Cognitive Care Network, and Loeb serves as the community engagement coordinator for the research center.
Kendra Knight, MSW 2021, was promoted to manager of the social work department at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.
Anna Kostecki, BSW 2023, MSW 2024, is a student support case manager providing non-clinical support services to students living in on-campus housing at KU.
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.
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Photos: Social Welfare faculty visits Harvesters |
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Social Welfare faculty members visited Harvesters in Lawrence in late June for community-building through community service.
Thank you to the Harvesters staff members, who updated faculty about Harvesters' work to combat food insecurity in Lawrence and throughout the state.
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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 person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and procedures and is the Title IX Coordinator for all KU 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. Reports can be submitted by contacting the Title IX Coordinator as provided herein or using the Title IX online report form and complaints can be submitted with the Title IX Coordinator or using the Title IX online complaint form.
The University of Kansas is a public institution governed by the Kansas Board of Regents.
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