Margarette Swift might be young, but her advice comes from a place of wisdom when she says, “Never let circumstances determine who you are.” When Margarette was only eight years old, her mother died. Following this traumatic loss, she endured many years of instability in her home life.
Starting in July 2018, FSU College of Social Work faculty member Carol Campbell Edwards will begin her two-year term as president of the National Association for Social Workers Florida (NASW-FL) chapter. Currently, as President-Elect, Carol will spend 12 months working in close collaboration with the President.
This past July, I attended and presented at the 35th International Congress on Law and Mental Health. Leading experts from around the world in psychiatry, nursing, social work, psychology, law and other helping professions, convened from July 9-14th at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic to share their ideas about today’s most pressing issues at the intersection of mental health and law.
MSW alumna (2014) Sofia Olds and her husband DeShoan Olds always knew they wanted to adopt since their marriage in 2004. In 2006, they completed the Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting (MAPP) classes to prepare for adoption, but building their lives together took precedence. DeShoan served several tours in Iraq and Sofia was active duty Army while she pursued her bachelor's and master's degrees in social work at the Florida State University College of Social Work.
Arriving at Florida State University as an undergraduate with an interest in film and creative writing, Danielle, or Dani, Groton thought a major in marketing and advertising was a practical use of her skills. But something was missing, and she wasn’t quite satisfied with the trajectory of such a career. A visit to the FSU Career Center introduced Dani to the possibilities social work had to offer.
Growing up in South Korea, FSU College of Social Work doctoral student Jungup Lee witnessed a time of rapid economic growth, but she also noticed the severe competition, inequality and social discrimination that accompanied it. “I was curious why there were gaps in social status, gender, race, or political group,” Jungup reflected.
Academic leadership takes many forms. Two FSU College of Social Work students exemplify the abilities and talents necessary for a student to excel and to exemplify leadership on and off campus. MSW student Mandi Cauley and BSW student Zoe Genkin were awarded 2017 Academic Leadership Awards that were celebrated during the spring 2017 semester, each receiving an award for this honor.
The Institute for Family Violence Studies (IFVS) at the College of Social Work benefits from the tremendous talent and energy of student researchers who dedicate themselves to improving the lives of children and families. “The Institute could not operate without these rockstars. Each one made a significant contribution to building the IFVS,” said Karen Oehme, IFVS Director. In return, the Institute launches these graduates into a lifetime of meaningful work.
May 5, 2017, the College of Social Work celebrated its most recent class of social work graduates in the Oglesby Union Ballrooms. More than 700 people attended the annual event to witness the graduation of 38 BSWs, 54 MSWs, and one doctoral student, Stephanie Grace Prost.
