Helping professionals are constantly seeking ways to advance their knowledge and meet continuing education (CE) requirements to maintain licensure. However, there is often little reward for meeting these requirements, and fewer opportunities to share acquired knowledge with colleagues, supervisors and social media audiences.
Stephanie Barca’s journey to a career in social work took many twists and turns. After graduating with an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, she continued her education by earning a law degree. She went on to practice law for thirteen years in a variety of areas, including criminal defense.
Matthew (Matt) Walsh (MSW ’21) was appointed on August 13, 2025, as the secretary of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).
Bailey Marie Latchford, a junior at Florida State University, is pursuing a dual degree in social work and criminal justice. Her journey to FSU was influenced by her three brothers who attended the university before her, the size of the campus and the many opportunities it offers.
“My inspiration to pursue social work stemmed from a commitment to human rights and desire to address disparities at a systems level, particularly for vulnerable children and families,” shared Dr. Kaela Byers. “I was particularly drawn to the potential for research to inform policy and practice changes that lead to more supportive and accessible systems.”
Starting in July 2025, the College of Social Work will sponsor the Toolkit on Successful Co-Parenting After Divorce, a training created by the Institute for Trauma and Resilience housed at the college. The training is an important resource helping divorced parents across the country create low-conflict, high-cooperation coparenting relationships.
Jenny McCorkle grew up in Indiana with a family legacy in teaching. She went to Ball State University with the intention of following this path laid out for her. “I was in an advanced student teaching program, which gave me the opportunity to realize that I did not enjoy facing a classroom of 25 to 30 young children at eight each morning,” she recalled.
In March of 2024, research faculty Dr. Gashaye Tefera, Dr. John Mathias and the Stoops Center for Communities, Families, and Children at the College of Social Work were awarded a Florida Institute for Child Welfare grant, funding a project titled: “Vulnerability and Resilience During a Natural Disaster: Exploring the Experiences of Foster Children in Florida.”
Florida State University researchers are working with Wisconsin-based Ventris Learning to move new tools into elementary school classrooms that will help teachers identify children who are at risk for reading difficulties.
