“My passion for social work began here,” Dr. Shalay Jackson (MSW, 2006) said emphatically about her experiences as a social work student at FSU. “I was challenged, supported, and inspired by a compassionate community of faculty, staff, students, and alumni." Dr. Jackson received her BSW and MSW degrees, and later her Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of South Florida. 

As Florida State University prepares to welcome more than 6,000 freshmen this fall, the university is offering a new online tool to help students adjust to campus, improve mental health, increase resilience and reduce stress.

“I love helping people ---and there’s nothing more special than giving yourself to a little being,” College of Social Work Alumna Patricia (Pat) Grise says about her role as a volunteer “baby cuddler.” For more than twenty years, Pat has been cuddling, bathing and bottle feeding premature and newborn babies at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (TMH) to help them thrive.

This year was the seventh annual College of Social Work Arts & Athletics Camp. The Camp utilizes arts and athletics to introduce local middle school aged youth, ages 11-14, to the university environment and encourage them to pursue higher education. This program aims to enhance leadership development, grow confidence in academic achievement, socialization, and other life skills for young adults living in the local community, including those with limited social and economic opportunity.

International Programs at the FSU College of Social Work began with efforts of one faculty member, Patricia (Pat) Lager (MSW, 1983, BA 1967). Pat transitioned from work in the areas of mental health and child welfare education, teaching at Florida A&M University before being hired by [then] Dean Ray Bardill. “I graduated from FSU, so I’ve always loved this university and the College of Social Work. It’s a passionate program,” Pat related about taking on her first academic role at FSU as a part-time field faculty placing students in their internships.

William (Bill) Anderson came out of the U.S. Army in 1972 looking for a social work MSW degree program. He had three to choose from, and it was the financial support FSU offered that first brought him to Tallahassee. It would be his experiences in the program and faculty support that made him stay.

Former faculty member Dr. Harris Goldstein encouraged Bill to pursue a doctoral degree. It was his fond memories as an MSW student and teaching assistant with faculty member Curtis Krishef that helped Bill decide to pursue his Ph.D. at FSU.

FSU College of Social Work students proceeded into the FSU Ballrooms at the Oglesby Union wearing their regalia surrounded by proud family and friends and cameras clicking. The College’s annual Spring Graduation Reception started early Friday morning, May 4^th with more than 650 people in attendance to watch FSU social work students graduate among their peers.

In the hours leading up to the 100 years celebration, I was incredibly nervous but excited. A college that I’m a part of is celebrating 100 years of dedication and achievement to students, social work education and profession. From the excellence of my curriculum to the academic opportunities provided by the college, I understood how noteworthy and important this celebration was too many. I was the only student attending that was speaking in front of my professors and other distinguished social work alumni.

Social Work graduate, Savannah Hipes, credits her extracurricular activities and mentors during her time at the College of Social Work for steering her towards the unique experience she will be starting after graduating with her MSW degree this spring. Savannah was awarded a competitive Social Work Fellow position with the Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Pensacola, Florida.

During National Prevention Week, the FSU College of Social Work’s Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities (CFC), Families and Children is hosting a community event about opioid abuse, Friday, May 18 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the FSU Alumni Center. Opioid abuse, an epidemic sweeping our nation and our state, impacts every age and social group.  The event is open to interested FSU and local community members.