Faculty & Research News
FSU Social Work Welcomes New Faculty Member Kaela Byers
Wednesday, September 03, 2025
“My inspiration to pursue social work stemmed from a commitment to human rights and desire to address disparities at a systems level, particularly for vulnerable children and families,” shared Dr. Kaela Byers. “I was particularly drawn to the potential for research to inform policy and practice changes that lead to more supportive and accessible systems.”
Posted Under: CSW General, Faculty & Research
FSU Social Work Welcomes New Faculty Member JaNiene Peoples
Thursday, August 28, 2025
“My passion for pursuing a career in social work stems from the field’s unique integration of human rights and justice into its values and multi-level frameworks,” expressed Dr. JaNiene Peoples. “Social work, especially within research, offers the opportunity to build collaborative, transformative partnerships that drive change.”
Posted Under: Faculty & Research
Longtime Faculty Member Dr. Dina Wilke Retires
Thursday, July 31, 2025
After twenty-four years as a faculty member of the FSU College of Social Work, Dr. Dina Wilke will retire at the end of the summer 2025 semester.
Throughout Dr. Wilke’s tenure, she served in numerous leadership positions at the college, including as associate dean for academic affairs from 2007 until 2014. She has also been a long-standing faculty affiliate of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW).
Posted Under: Alumni & Friends, Faculty & Research
Research Study Examines Organizational Factors’ Impact on Work-Related Burnout in Child Welfare Workers
Monday, July 28, 2025
Workplace burnout is a frequent cause of turnover for child welfare workers. Burnout is a multifaceted phenomenon and, research suggests that almost 65% of child welfare workers experience it. Burnout includes co-occurring physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that is often related to organizational, or work-related, factors.
Posted Under: Alumni & Friends, Faculty & Research
FSU Partners with Ventris Learning to Improve Reading Outcomes
Thursday, June 12, 2025
Florida State University researchers are working with Wisconsin-based Ventris Learning to move new tools into elementary school classrooms that will help teachers identify children who are at risk for reading difficulties.
Posted Under: CSW General, Faculty & Research
From Pilot to Practice: Adapting Trauma Intervention for Foster Youth
Wednesday, June 04, 2025
Trauma-informed care for youth in foster care has long fallen short of the urgent need despite overwhelming evidence of the long-term consequences of untreated trauma. A multisite randomized control trial led by Dr. Tanya Renn (FSU College of Social Work) and Dr.
Posted Under: CFC Center News, CSW General, Faculty & Research
Florida Institute for Child Welfare: Faculty Demo Day
Monday, June 02, 2025
The Florida Institute for Child Welfare recently hosted an experiential Faculty Demo Day, inviting FSU faculty, many from the College of Social Work, to engage with state-of-the-art educational technologies.
Posted Under: CSW General, Faculty & Research
Examining Longitudinal Service Trajectories of Children Entering Residential Care through Different Pathways
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
Residential care settings have long been a critical component of child welfare and mental health services, and, broadly defined, encompasses group homes, residential treatment centers, statewide inpatient facilities, and emergency shelters. These settings provide 24-hour care and treatment for children with complex needs.
Posted Under: CSW General, Faculty & Research
Faculty Member's New Book Offers a Practical Guide on Foster Parent Collaboration
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Florida State University College of Social Work professor Dr.
Posted Under: Faculty & Research
Research Study Highlights Occupational Impact on Cognitive Health in Older Adults
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Education is widely recognized as a strong predictor of cognitive health in aging. However, a recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences explores how occupational experiences before age 60 mediate the relationship between education and cognitive function in adults aged 65 and older.