Alumni & Friends

Katisa Donaldson (MSW 2000, BSW 1999) is in her fifth year as chairperson and director of the MSW Program at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's (FAMU) Department of Social Work.

"I enjoy being able to help our BSW and MSW students," she shared, "along with supporting FAMU's College of Social Sciences, Art and Humanities (CSSAH) and our local and surrounding communities. But I wouldn't be this successful without the support of my colleagues and Dr. Valencia E. Matthews, dean of CSSAH."

Dr. Carol Campbell Edwards, an associate teaching professor and director of the BSW and Professional Development Programs at the College of Social Work, serves as the National Association of Social Workers Board Director for Region VII, serving Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

"I had a vision where I was behind a desk, and my daughter was standing up beside me, and she was about to take my place," Proctor told the Tallahassee Democrat. In 2017, Betty Proctor dreamed of passing something down to her daughter Nijah.

Florida State University launches the 13^th annual FSU’s Great Give on Wednesday, March 6.

During the 24-hour event, the FSU College of Social Work’s project focuses on supporting social work students in completing their field placement internships. The college has set a goal of raising $40,000. 

Since 2011, the annual day of giving has garnered tremendous support from donors worldwide. Last year, FSU’s Great Give raised $1+ million thanks to the generosity of 5,155 donors. 

In the heart of Children's Week 2024 at the Florida Capitol, a magical spectacle unfolded as the Storybook Village came to life, inspiring young minds to "Dream Big," this year's Child's Week theme. Storybook Village, an integral part of Children's Week, transforms the plaza at the Florida Capitol into a wonderland of education and learning for children.

For Paige McKay Kubik, joining the Florida State University College of Social Work staff as its new Development Director is like returning home.

“I was a first-generation college student at Florida State,” she recalled fondly. “When I was on the field with the Marching Chiefs, I’d look into the stands of Doak Campbell Stadium and marvel at the crowd. So big that every person in my small Alabama hometown could have a seat, and there would still be 70,000 seats left to fill.”

Dr. Michael Killian, an associate professor at the College of Social Work, was inducted into the 2024 Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) fellows class.

SSWR fellows are members who have served to advance the society's mission to – advance, disseminate, and translate research that addresses social work practice and policy issues and promotes a diverse, equitable, and just society. 

As Assistant Director of Experiential Learning at the FSU Career Center, Alexis Fraites (MSW 2019) meets a variety of students and alumni at various stages in their career journeys. “I’m here to support every need along the spectrum,” she expressed. “From first-year students who are still figuring out their interests and goals, to seniors preparing for graduate school or job searches, and alumni further in their career who need support in their next steps.”

The National Association of Social Work, Florida Chapter (NASW-FL) held its annual LEAD event on February 5-6, 2024. The FSU College of Social Work co-hosted the event, helping to provide space and support.

Drs. Melissa Radey and Shamra Boel-Studt recently published two articles from a study funded by the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW) aimed to provide insights into maternity group homes and their services to young mothers and their families.