FSU College of Social Work (FSU CSW) participated in the 2025 Society for Social Work and Research Conference in Seattle, Washington. From January 15-19, faculty and doctoral students and affiliates from the Florida Institute for Child Welfare presented more than 40 presentations and sessions at the conference (listed below with FSU CSW participants).
Right after graduating with his Master of Social Work degree in 2015, Jerry Kivett-Kimbro moved to North Carolina and made his home in Asheville. After working two years at a rape crisis center supporting survivors of sexual violence, he transitioned back into the area he was most passionate about – supporting people experiencing homelessness.
The Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children (Stoops Center) at the FSU College of Social Work (FSU CSW) and the Anne Spencer Daves College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (Anne’s College) teamed up to make an important impact on early childhood education in Leon County through a collaborative initiative funded by the Children’s Services Council of Leon County.
After 33 years of dedicated service, longtime FSU College of Social Work faculty member Professor Neil Abell will retire at the end of the fall 2024 semester. He has served the college not only as a dedicated faculty member but also as a leader. He has been director of the college’s International Programs since 2011 when he took over for fellow faculty member Pat Lager.
MSW student Monica Mardones heard about the inaugural Graduate Student Op-Ed Competition from The Graduate School through an FSU communication and decided to apply. The competition challenged enrolled FSU graduate students to participate by writing an “op-ed,” short for “opposite the editorial page” article that expresses an author’s informed opinion on a current issue or topic of interest.
The College of Social Work at Florida State University hosted its 2024 Scholarship and Awards dinner during the 2024 FSU Homecoming week. The event honored six distinguished social work graduates and 112 student scholars.
More than $160K in scholarships was provided to undergraduate and graduate social work students with interests in areas including child welfare, social policy, international social work, social work practice and military veterans.
Alumna Dr. Diana DiNitto (PhD 1980, MSW 1987) is among the 25 newest social workers recognized as an NASW Social Work Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF).
Dr. Shalay Jackson was awarded the 2024 Educator of the Year for the Big Bend region of the Florida Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.
The FSU College of Social Work is introducing a new role to the college – poet-in-residence. Dean David Springer has assigned this role to Dr. Nicholas Mazza, emeritus dean and professor.
In this voluntary role, Dr. Mazza will facilitate opportunities with the FSU CSW community to benefit from the arts, particularly the written word, to enhance social work education and practice.
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."
