Alumni & Friends

Michelle Brantley dreams big and makes those dreams a reality. In 2007, her father suddenly passed away, and it caused her to re-evaluate her life and how valuable time is. She decided to honor his memory by being “true to herself,” which was some of his last words to her. Along this road, Michelle not only balanced her growth, healing, and education but a growing family. She opened her heart and home through the adoption of five siblings, including two sets of twins.   

Dr. Jessica Pryce and her team at the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (Institute) are continuously working with researchers and organizations to find effective, evidence-based solutions to child welfare challenges in Florida. As a part of this mission, Pryce has actively sought out unique, innovative opportunities to inform and address the challenges present in child welfare.

Dr. Michael Killian (Ph.D., 2012; MSW, 2005; BS, 2003) always took a keen interest in exploring psychological and social issues. While at FSU as an undergraduate student majoring in psychology (B.S., 2003) he worked in several of the university’s psychology labs. His interest to work more directly with families led him to an interest in social work.

There are many ways to serve your country, and the career of Captain Jay A. Seligman (MSW, 1993; BA, 1990) reflects a lifetime of dedicated service to both his country and its citizens. After four years of service as a clinical social worker and an Officer with the United States Air Force, Captain Seligman knew he wanted to serve in a different capacity. He commissioned with the  United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and received an assignment with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) in 1998.

In collaboration with the FSU Alumni Association, the FSU College of Social Work established a new networking opportunity for social work alumni, known as the Social Work Alumni Group (SWAG). The vision is to connect College of Social Work alumni for networking and outreach initiatives.

Interest in the creation of an alumni networking group began in early 2018 as the College celebrated 100 years of social work at Florida State.  Seeing a need for a way to celebrate the legacy at FSU with the need to connect with graduates of all ages, the SWAG group was created.

On the last day of the summer 2018 semester, the FSU College of Social Work hosts its Summer Graduation Reception. The reception celebrates the graduation of 17 BSW and 103 MSW students and includes a program featuring remarks by Dean Jim Clark, Reception Speaker and Alumnus John Sheetz, and Student Speaker and BSW Graduate, Jenna Michelson.

“My passion for social work began here,” Dr. Shalay Jackson (BSW, 2006) said emphatically about her experiences as a social work student at FSU. “I was challenged, supported, and inspired by a compassionate faculty, staff, students, and alumni community." 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.