Alumni & Friends

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."

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.”