Family Social Work

Jessica Pryce is a research faculty member and works directly with child welfare leaders through the Florida Institute for Child Welfare on organizational change through the Alliance for Workforce Enhancement under the institute’s GROW Center. She previously served as the institute's director from 2017 to early 2023. An alumna of the College of Social Work and a Florida native, she completed her MSW in 2009 and worked as a child protective investigator with DCF before transitioning to Washington, DC, to pursue her doctorate degree from Howard University.

Victoria (Vicky) Verano is a teaching professor and a licensed clinical social worker in Florida. She serves as a field placement advisor for both undergraduate and graduate students. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses related to family violence, loss and bereavement and medical social work. 

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As a researcher at Florida State University since 1998, Karen has been the director of the FSU Institute for Trauma & Resilience Studies (formerly the Institute for Family Violence Studies) since 2007. In 2011, she was named an FSU Distinguished University Scholar. 

Nicholas Mazza, Ph.D., is dean emeritus, and Patricia V. Vance Professor of Social Work Emeritus. He served as a faculty member from 1981 through 2015, the last seven years as dean (2008-2015). He is a published poet, and the founding (1987) and continuing editor of the Journal of Poetry Therapy. He is currently serving a second term as president of the National Association for Poetry Therapy (2022-2024). He holds Florida licenses in clinical social work, psychology, and marriage and family therapy.

Carol Campbell Edwards is an associate teaching professor and director of the BSW Program and Professional Development with the College of Social Work. She is also a licensed clinical social worker and approved clinical social work supervisor with expertise in child welfare. She is a Florida Board Certified Child Welfare Trainer and certified as a facilitator by True Colors International. She is also a private consultant on foster care and adoption, child welfare training, and curriculum development.