Alumni & Friends

When Margarita Amado-Blanco started her undergraduate studies at Florida State University, she was still an exploratory/undecided major with an inclination toward assistance for disadvantaged persons and special education. She dabbled in liberal arts classes, including international affairs and psychology, but found herself hooked by her first social work class as she began her minor in social welfare.

Victoria (Vicky) Rose’s efforts to support clients and families dealing with dementia is not going unnoticed. As the coordinator for the Memory Disorder Clinic at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH), she plays a multitude of roles that seek to improve the health and wellness of individuals living with dementia, their caregivers and the community. She has served in this role since 2017, wearing different hats on different days.

As the director of International Programs at the FSU College of Social Work, I make frequent site visits to agency sites around the world to create and sustain international field placements for social work students.  This year, my trip happened to coincide with Brexit Day, January 31st, the day the United Kingdom (UK) officially withdrew from the European Union.

With the retirement of Elder Care Services CEO Mark Baldino in 2019, Elder Care Services’ board of trustees conducted a national search for the ideal candidate to lead the agency into its fiftieth year as a senior service leader in the Big Bend region of Florida. At the end of the search, the ideal candidate was found in their own director of volunteers and engagement, Jocelyne (Josie) Fliger.

The Florida Legislative Session begins on January 14, 2020. As the president of the National Association of Social Workers Florida Chapter (NASW-FL), I am eager to share this information with you regarding Legislation Education Days.  NASW-FL is geared up to meet with and lobby our representatives regarding several important bills that are pertinent to the social work profession and the individuals, families, and communities we serve.

As a Tallahassee native, Hannah Kinnon has always been proud of her hometown. “This city has a small-town community feel, coupled with the political and governmental opportunities a capital city provides,” she explained. “Attending FSU has given me an opportunity to experience a totally different side of my hometown.”

Kinnon began her undergraduate experience at Florida State University (FSU) as an exploratory major, searching for a service-oriented major that would allow her to help others. A friend described her own major in social work, and Kinnon was “captivated.” 

Martial arts and social work might not seem to have a lot of parallels at first, but social work alumna Janet Nelson (MSW, ’94) has made it her mission to bring concepts of self-defense to the social work and helping professional fields.

Throughout her time in social work education and the profession, Dr. Cynthia Turner knew the value of a support network and mentors. At each bend in the road, it was the relationships and support she found along the way that helped her harness her own abilities and to shape her career.

Florida State University launched the Student Resilience Project in 2018, but its impact is already long-lasting and wide-ranging.

The online toolkit, which teaches students stress reduction techniques and coping skills and provides an interactive platform for learning how to heal from trauma and improve mental health, started as a required course for new FSU students and has grown exponentially.

National Philanthropy Day (November 15, 2019) is a special day that recognizes the great contributions made by generous people through philanthropy to enrich their community. We want to thank our Friends of the College of Social Work and all the contributions made by our social work family through your time, talents and treasures. Here are some simple ways that you can give where you live!