SSW News
Visit these various links for the latest news and notes from the School of Social Work
Contact the SSW Communications Office ▾
Matt Conn
Assistant Dean for Communications
410-706-4542
Sandra Little
Graphic Designer
410-706-3525
Miesha Williams
Web Developer
410-706-0340
Mailing Address
525 West Redwood Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Search News:
Join Us August 1 for a MSW Information Session in the news
July 19, 2019 | Visit our Baltimore campus to learn about our MSW program!
Rick Barth Stepping Down as SSW Dean in the news
June 7, 2019 | I write to share with you that Richard P. Barth, PhD, MSW, dean of the School of Social Work (SSW), has decided to step down by the end of the 2019-20 academic year.
New MSW Field Seminar Launches This Fall in the news
May 14, 2019 | The University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) launches a new field seminar experience for students beginning their MSW course work this fall.
President’s Fellows Propose Steps to Curb Gun Violence in the news
May 2, 2019 | President’s Fellows Propose Steps to Curb Gun Violence
Inspiring Students to Paint Their Own Futures in the news
April 15, 2019 | “One. … Two. … Three. … Let’s paint!” exclaimed Tammatha Woodhouse, the principal of Renaissance Academy High School.
Mikulski to Students: Don’t Give up, Don’t Give In in the news
April 12, 2019 | Former Sen. Barbara Mikulski, MSW ’65, shared her passion for the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW), and advice for new social workers starting out in their careers.
UMB and Promise Heights Students Take a Tasteful Course in Etiquette in the news
April 11, 2019 | The etiquette dinner table gathering invites students from Renaissance Academy High School and the University of Maryland to include good tables manners on their path to success.
Register Now: Child and Family Services Evaluation: Partnerships in the Era of Family First
April 1, 2019 | The members of the National Human Services Training Evaluation Symposium are pleased to announce the 22nd Annual National Human Services Training Evaluation Symposium.
One woman grew up in Brazil eyeing the stars and a career in astronomy. in the news
April 1, 2019 | One woman grew up in Brazil eyeing the stars and a career in astronomy.
US News & World Reports Ranks the UMSSW 17th in the news
March 15, 2019 | The University of Maryland School of Social Work is ranked 17th out of 262 programs surveyed.
School Welcomes Nine New Faculty Members in the news
March 11, 2019 | A diverse and world-class collection of mentors, leaders and educators bring a broad array of experiences and knowledge to the School of Social Work. We are pleased and proud to welcome them all!
Watch the Homecoming Livestream Panel Discussion in the news
March 8, 2019 | Watch the Homecoming Livestream Panel Discussion
Homecoming March 8 - Addressing Addiction in the news
February 12, 2019 | KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Vickie Walters, LCSW, MSW, ’88 Addressing Addiction: Innovations in Substance Use Services
Everything is Wonderful: Dramatic Action - Forgiveness in Community in the news
February 12, 2019 | Join Everyman Theatre in partnership with University of Maryland School of Social Work for an examination of key themes and questions posed by Everything is Wonderful by Chelsea Marcantel.
Institute Partners with Biden Foundation for New LGBTQ Initiative in the news
January 23, 2019 | "As You Are" New LGBTQ Initiative from Biden Foundation and SSW Institute for Innovation & Implementation
PARI & The Healthy Teen Network are spreading Human Trafficking Awareness
January 18, 2019 | The Prevention of Adolescent Risks Initiative and The Healthy Teen Network have teamed up to create Human Trafficking Awareness Resources.
Promise Heights Praised as UMB Wins Award
December 17, 2018 | The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) has honored the University of Maryland, Baltimore, (UMB) as a recipient of the 2018 Mayor’s Business Recognition Award.
School Named HEED Diversity Award Winner
December 6, 2018 | The School of Social Work has been recognized for its commitment to diversity by INSIGHT Into Diversity.
First Cohort Completes Financial Social Work Certificate Program
December 6, 2018 | Congratulations to the first cohort of participants who completed the first Financial Social Work Certificate Program at UMSSW!
Mikulski Talks Social Work Roots, DC Politics in the news
November 30, 2018 | Barbara Mikulski, MSW ’65, was a social worker before launching her legendary and pioneering 45-year political career, but she doesn’t consider it a former job.
Panel Shares Opioid Insights at Baltimore County Forum in the news
November 26, 2018 | During a series of panel discussions on how best to address the opioid crisis, one factor has arisen repeatedly. It is stigma.
Panel in Montgomery County Explores Opioid Solutions in the news
October 31, 2018 | Soon after dozens of people had come together at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) for a panel discussion on the opioid crisis, they heard Maryland’s grim statistics for 2017.
FSWI Founder Woodside Honored by UMB in the news
October 19, 2018 | FSWI Founder Woodside Honored by UMB
UMB States Its Case at Founders Week Gala in the news
October 18, 2018 | “Taking Care of Maryland” was the theme of the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s 23rd annual Founders Week Gala.
Panel on Opioids Shares Insights in Howard County in the news
October 15, 2018 | A group of faculty members at the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) who have expertise in multiple aspects of addiction research, education, and services took their knowledge into Columbia, Md.
SWCOS Program Part of GMA Story in the news
October 9, 2018 | SWCOS' Social Work in the Library program part of a story on Enoch Pratt Free Libraries.
OSI-supported Positive Schools Center creates series of training videos in the news
October 8, 2018 | Positive Schools Center (PSC) of the University of Maryland School of Social Work, an initiative funded by a multi-year grant from Open Society Institute, recently created a series of training videos
Social Work Students to Serve in Three More Libraries in the news
October 3, 2018 | “We are so proud to be launching another year of the successful Social Worker in the Library program,”
UMB’s Promise Heights Initiative Receives $30M Grant from U.S. Dept. of Ed. in the news, press release
September 14, 2018 | UMB’s Promise Heights Initiative Receives $30M Grant from U.S. Dept. of Ed.
Apply Now for Your MSW Degree! in the news
September 4, 2018 | Applications for 2019 Academic year Now Open!
Strengthening Society through Stronger Parenting in the news
August 27, 2018 | Strengthening Society through Stronger Parenting
Beauty In The Eye of The Stakeholder in the news
August 3, 2018 | What was once a dull corner of concrete outside of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School on West Preston Street is now brightened by pink and purple petunias.
Beloved Former Faculty Member Len Press Passes Away in the news
August 2, 2018 | Beloved former faculty member Len Press passed away in late July.
Register Now for Our Fall Continuing Ed Courses in the news
August 1, 2018 | Take advantage of our wide variety of course offerings!
Immigration Issues Statement from Dean Barth in the news
June 18, 2018 | Immigration Issues Statement from Dean Barth
Get to Know Emma - Our Blogger in Brazil in the news
June 14, 2018 | Hey there! I’m Emma and I’m one of the UMB School of Social Work (SSW) students participating in the independent study in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
Former NHL Goalie Shares Journey Battling Depression, OCD in the news
June 6, 2018 | Suicide does not discriminate. Just ask Clint Malarchuk, former National Hockey League goaltender, who struggled not only with suicide but also depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Congressional Briefing June 6 with the SSW's Tuten in the news
May 30, 2018 | Please join NASW for a Congressional Briefing that will highlight the many ways that social workers are involved in responding to the opioid crisis.
UMB Panel Shares Opioids Expertise in Anne Arundel in the news
April 30, 2018 | The panel members described the university’s efforts to bring science to a field in which evidence-based practices are often lacking.
SSW Mourns the Passing of Donna Harrington in the news
April 2, 2018 | Professor and former Associate Dean for Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Education Donna Harrington as passed away.
SWCOS' 25th Anniversary & Thursz Lecture in the news
March 29, 2018 | Spring 2018 Daniel Thursz Lecture on Social Justice Celebrates 25 Years of SWCOS!
March is Social Work Month and our annual fundraising effort, All Gifts Count! in the news
March 2, 2018 | March is Social Work Month and our annual fundraising effort, All Gifts Count!
Four Sites Designated for Foster Care Grant in the news
February 21, 2018 | Four Sites Designated for UM School of Social Work Institute Grant Assisting Children and Youth who Identify as LGBTQ2S in Foster Care
Maryland's Carlton-LaNey Named NC Social Worker of the Year in the news
February 14, 2018 | The National Association of Social Workers North Carolina Chapter (NASW-NC) has named Iris Carlton-LaNey the 2018 Social Worker of the Year.
Exploring Harm Reduction in Baltimore in the news
February 1, 2018 | Intro to Harm Reduction and Diverting Drug Users to Treatment with Baltimore City’s LEAD Program
Meet Faculty Member Fernando Wagner in the news
January 23, 2018 | University of Maryland School of Social Work Professor Fernando Wagner tells us a little about himself, his work, and more in this short faculty profile.
Meet Faculty Member Ericka Lewis in the news
January 11, 2018 | University of Maryland School of Social Work Assistant Professor Ericka Lewis tells us a little about herself, her work, and more in this short faculty profile.
School's Jody Olsen Chosen to Lead Peace Corps in the news
January 4, 2018 | The White House announced Jan. 3 that President Trump will nominate Jody Olsen, PhD, MSW, a visiting professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work to be director of the Peace Corps.
Faculty Spotlight: Christine Callahan in the news
December 4, 2017 | Financial social work research helps empower low-income families to work toward their goals
Wen to Social Workers: Addiction Stigma Must End in the news
November 28, 2017 | Focusing on early intervention. Telling compelling stories. Fighting stigma with science.
Harrington Earns GADE Award for Mentoring in the news
November 9, 2017 | Professor Donna Harrington, PhD, recently was selected as winner of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE) Award for Excellence in Mentoring of Doctoral Students.
University of Maryland, PGPD Receive $1.3M Grant to Aid Human Trafficking Victims in the news
October 26, 2017 | A joint three-year grant to coordinate work to fight human trafficking in Prince George’s County, Md.
Faculty Spotlight: Lisa Berlin in the news
October 25, 2017 | Preparing children for healthy emotional and behavioral development
UMB Students Seize Opportunity to Help in the news
October 16, 2017 | UMB Students Seize Opportunity to Help
Collins to Receive CSWE Honor in the news
October 12, 2017 | This month, the SSW's Kathryn Collins will be presented the Distinguished Recent Contributions to Social Work Education Award by the Council on Social Work Education.
Video Spotlight: Fernando Wagner in the news
October 1, 2017 | Meet new faculty member Fernando Wagner
Social workers now offering services at Enoch Pratt libraries in the news
September 27, 2017 | Social workers now available at four branches of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.
Behavioral Health Program Expanding in the news
September 19, 2017 | Behavioral Health Program at SSW to Expand to 120 Students - $10,000 Stipends
School Exceeds National Exam Score Averages in the news
July 25, 2017 | The School of Social Work Continues to Produce Graduates Who Exceed National Averages for Board Exams.
Chronicle Names UMB Great Place To Work in the news
July 19, 2017 | In this digital age, maintaining a sense of community in the workplace takes special effort.
Alison Richman Professorship for Children, Youth, and Families in the news
July 12, 2017 | Applications are now being accepted for a distinguished scholar at the level of associate or full professor to fill a newly endowed professorship in the area of children and family services
SSW Ranked Third by College Choice in the news
July 11, 2017 | The School of Social Work has been ranked third in the nation for schools of social work.
SSW’s Parkent Is June Employee of Month in the news
July 6, 2017 | SSW’s Parkent Is June Employee of Month
‘Every Baltimore Child Deserves This’ in the news
June 28, 2017 | ‘Every Baltimore Child Deserves This’
Social Work Moms Praise New Lactation Center in the news
June 12, 2017 | Amy Greensfelder pumped breast milk in a commercial kitchen. Mehgan Sidhu pumped in an airport restroom. Some of Jenny Afkinich’s friends have had to pump in a closet.
Adjunct Faculty Appreciation Day in the news
June 5, 2017 | Adjunct faculty play and important and vital role at the School!
27 Meet NSWM Educational Competencies in the news
May 26, 2017 | 27 Meet NSWM Educational Competencies
Peace Corps Student Reports In in the news
May 24, 2017 | Elizabeth Gill returns to finish her MSW degree after two years of Peace Corps work in the Philippines.
SSW Responds Launched in the news
May 23, 2017 | A web site for the School of Social Work's response to the events in our world.
Michigan Death Underscores Importance of SSW Work in the news
May 16, 2017 | Several news outlets have announced that Michigan Representative, John Kivela, died by apparent suicide on Tuesday, May 9, 2017.
Parents Shine at Graduation Party in the news
May 5, 2017 | ‘Tis the season of graduations, where parents celebrate the accomplishments of their children.
Marching for Science in the news
May 3, 2017 | Among the thousands of people filling the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on April 22 to raise awareness about the importance of science were faculty members from the School of Social Work.
Two '01 Grads, Board Member Named to Top 100 List in the news
April 26, 2017 | Two 2001 MSW graduates and a member of the School's Board of Advisors are named to the Daily Record's Top 100 Women List for 2017
We need to hear your voices and want to give away $500 in the news
April 21, 2017 | Please complete your MSW course evaluations, field evaluations and graduating student survey today.
R34 Grant For Novel Social Work Approach in the news
April 20, 2017 | Drs. DeVylder and Schiffman (UMBC) Awarded Grant to Develop and Test an Intervention
Dr. Julianne Malveaux Discusses Income Inequality in the news
April 18, 2017 | Dr. Julianne Malveaux discussed African-American women’s income inequality during the Spring 2017 Thursz lecture.
Five from SSW Honored by NASW-MD in the news
April 6, 2017 | Three Faculty Members, One Student and One Alum Honored by the NASW-MD
SSW Convocation May 19 in the news
March 20, 2017 | Get all the details for our annual Convocation ceremony
Homecoming Forum Highlights Forensic Social Work in the news
March 13, 2017 | Homecoming Forum Highlights Forensic Social Work
Immigration Issues & the SSW in the news
March 9, 2017 | We reaffirm our commitment to creating a sanctuary for our students, staff and faculty where all SSW community members can feel safe, secure, included and supported.
Census of Homeless Youth, Young Adults Underway in the news
March 2, 2017 | Census of Homeless Youth, Young Adults Underway in 17 MD Jurisdictions
BHWISE Symposium March 29 in the news
March 1, 2017 | Partnering in Primary Care: Promoting Child Well-being through Pediatrician-Social Work Collaborations
Three Journals Explore Financial Capability & Asset Building in the news
March 1, 2017 | Three prestigious research journals recently exploring their innovative work on Financial Capability and Asset Building (FCAB).
Promise Heights Welcomes Canadian Visitors in the news
February 10, 2017 | Christopher Streeter is passionate about his West Baltimore high school, Renaissance Academy. He is eager to share his experience with anyone who will listen.
SSW Statement on Immigration in the news
January 30, 2017 | We are writing to address the mounting concerns in our community and elsewhere for the welfare of immigrants.
USM Statement on Immigration Issues in the news
January 30, 2017 | USM Statement on Immigration Issues
Reisch: Show Up, Speak Up, Listen in the news
January 30, 2017 | Alternative facts. Fake news. Endless squabbling. Family disputes at the dinner table. What’s a person to do in today’s times?
Sights from the Women's March in the news
January 24, 2017 | A collection of images from the Women's March in Washington DC.
Learning How to Actively Standby in the news
January 24, 2017 | Samirah Franklin recently tried on a new role for size: catcaller at a protest rally.
An Open Letter to Our Elected Officials in the news
January 20, 2017 | The election of 2016 proved that America wants change.
Long-time Faculty Member Paul Ephross Passes Away in the news
January 13, 2017 | A social work pioneer and a faculty member at the School of Social Work for many decades, Paul Ephross passed away on January 12.
SSW Helps Build Homes in Sandtown-Winchester in the news
January 3, 2017 | Students and staff from the School of Social Work braved the bitter cold as they volunteered on a Team Build for Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, helping to build a home in West Baltimore.
Studying Suicide Prevention in Middle-Aged Men in the news
December 7, 2016 | A new study led by the University of Maryland School of Social Work (UMSSW) and funded by the CDC is evaluating online screening tools aimed at changing suicide statistics.
$2,000 Aging Specialization Fellowship Available in the news
November 21, 2016 | Students entering their advanced year of study in the MSW program and who are considering or have chosen the Aging Specialization can apply for the Aging Specialization Fellowship.
Fall 2016 Thursz Social Justice Lecture in the news
November 17, 2016 | The 2016 Election & the Future of Social Justice in America was selected by the School long before the world woke up on the morning of Nov. 9 and learned of President-elect Donald J. Trump’s victory.
Thoughts on the 2016 Election in the news
November 10, 2016 | Sad, Happy, Angry or Pleased with the Outcome of Election 2016?