Alumni & Friends

Social Work Doctoral Graduate Joins University of West Florida Faculty

Doctoral Candidate Erin King graduated this summer with her doctoral degree in social work from the FSU College of Social Work. She successfully defended her dissertation titled “An exploration of the effects of primary and secondary trauma on child welfare workers’ mental health and commitment to the field” on June 25, 2019. In the fall, Dr.

Social Work Student Wins Gilman Scholarship

As a first-generation college student, Samiah Bansal has experienced a wide range of new challenges, along with innumerable opportunities, in the university setting. One of her biggest dreams was to study abroad, but the challenge of funding such an adventure seemed insurmountable until she followed the example of other FSU students.

“I decided to apply for the Gilman Scholarship because I witnessed many student leaders at FSU become Gilman Scholars. It motivated me to apply,” she explained.

Celebrating Summer 2019 Social Work Graduates

On the last day of the summer 2019 semester, the FSU College of Social Work hosted its summer graduation reception, honoring the of 23 BSW students, 93 MSW students, and one doctoral graduate (Erin King) graduation this semester.

Undergraduate social work student Faith Dekanter addressed attendees as the highlighted student speaker and graduate. From Jacksonville, Florida, Faith completed her degree in social work in three years along with a minor in child development.

Remembering Former Faculty Member: Dr. Barbara White

Barbara Williams White (1943-2019) passed away on July 19, 2019. She was born February 26, 1943, in Macon, Georgia and was raised in Jacksonville, Florida. White completed her undergraduate studies at Florida A&M University in music education (BS, ’64). She went on to complete bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in social work at Florida State University (BSW, ’74; MSW, ’75; Ph.D., ’86).

Middle School Students Experience College Life Through FSU Social Work Summer Camp

Relay races on Landis Green and jam sessions in the William Johnston Building are just a couple of the experiences dozens of middle school students from Tallahassee and the surrounding area participated in during a weeklong camp at Florida State University.

For the eighth year in a row, the FSU College of Social Work hosted its annual Arts and Athletics Summer Camp for two weeks in June.

Alumna Terriyln Rivers-Cannon Named 2019 National School Social Worker of the Year

Dr. Terriyln Rivers-Cannon was named the 2019 National School Social Worker of the Year by the School Social Workers Association of America (SSWAA) for her contributions to the profession of school social work. She is not only the first school social worker from Georgia, but is the first African American and African-American woman to receive this national recognition.

Four Social Work Students Join Garnet and Gold Scholars Society

At the end of the spring 2019 semester, the prestigious Garnet and Gold Scholars Society inducted one of its largest groups of new scholars. Since 2010, Garnet and Gold Scholars has encouraged student involvement and recognized undergraduate students who excel in the classroom and beyond in three of five areas: international experience, internship, leadership, research, and service.

New Student-Alumni Mentoring Platform: ProfessioNole Mentors Program

FSU recently launched an enhanced mentoring platform to host our University-wide mentoring program, the ProfessioNole Mentors Program. ProfessioNole Mentors offers students the chance to reach out to professionals throughout the community, country, and world and learn more about their field’s industry demands, career expectations, job outlook, and employment opportunities.