Alumni & Friends

The social work profession embodies a strong commitment to promoting social justice initiatives through both practice and research.  In 2016, the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare launched the Twelve Grand Challenges of Social Work to outline the profession’s vision for creating an equitable and socially just society.  Florida State University’s College of Social Work will be among the leaders in one Grand Challenge: Smart Decarceration; led by Dr.

On February 13th, FSU faculty and students gathered with community members and leaders for a screening of Resilience: Biology of Stress and Science of Hope. Co-sponsored by the College of Social Work, Prevent Child Abuse Florida, The Oasis Center for Women and Girls, and the Resi

Art Cleveland, MSW, LCSW, LMFT, and RPT-S, devoted his professional life to the care and keeping of children.  Play therapy was the cornerstone of his clinical practice. For more than 30 years, he has worked with children and families using this unique therapeutic approach.

Florida State University recently met with a delegation from East China University of Science and Technology in an effort to forge a relationship for future research collaboration and student exchanges.

The partnership was initiated by FSU College of Social Work Dean Jim Clark and Professor Amy Ai, who have extensive experience with Chinese scholars in health, trauma and social work.

Maicie Ramirez was looking for ways to push herself and to make the most of her time at FSU when she arrived for her undergraduate degree in social work. The Garnet and Gold Scholars program aligned with her interest within their engagement areas of international, internship, leadership, research and service. During her time in the program, she completed three areas.

Florida State University’s Institute for Family Violence Studies (IFVS) at the College of Social Work recently received a $25,000 grant from the Office of the Florida Attorney General to help stem the tide of human trafficking.

Since the CSW Ambassadors program began two years ago, it has grown exponentially to include its newest cohort of FSU College of Social Work student leaders. As CSW Ambassadors, these twelve undergraduate and graduate social work students act as the student face of the college.  Working actively with faculty and staff, the CSW Ambassadors represent the brand and values of the College of Social Work while advocating for their fellow students alongside social work education and the profession. Learn more about each of them below:

While on the lookout for an honors program at FSU, Kimberly found that Garnet and Gold Scholars, which supported her personal values of scholarship, service, and leadership. The program welcomed 53 new members in December and facilitates student involvement in the areas of international, internship, leadership, research and service engagement.

Social work students are often challenged during their coursework to bridge the divide between the professional and the personal as they develop the skill sets to connect with clients and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable populations. Delving into the personal also aids in self-awareness about personal strengths and challenges that affect social work practice. With this in mind, Associate Teaching Professor Vicky Verano encouraged social work graduate students in her Loss and Bereavement class to share personal memories about loved ones who had passed away.

This year was marked by abundant opportunities for FSU College of Social Work to make new international connections and to develop collaborations on the world stage. Faculty teamed up with partnering universities and colleagues at leading universities from other continents to bring about innovative scholarship, training, and dialogue. Here are some of the highlights of the FSU social work faculty’s efforts in 2017 all over the globe.