CSW General

Originally from Clearwater, Florida, Lisa Jackson came to Florida State University with the ambition to work with young adults. A two-time FSU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology (2013) and her Master of Social Work degree (2015), she knew she wanted to work in higher education to help youth adjust to the collegiate environment.

“My MSW application highlighted my desire to work with students navigating life on campus,” Lisa explained. “It’s an amazing time of life where students begin emerging into adulthood while facing many unique challenges.”

The College of Social Work is thrilled to welcome back the CSW Student Ambassador program! After a brief hiatus caused by the pandemic, this new cohort of student leaders look forward to representing the college both within and beyond campus. Student Ambassadors are the face of the college and serve in various areas, including connecting with new and potential students, promoting social work education, volunteering with local social service organizations, helping with CSW events, and more.

Florida State University (FSU), a leader in innovation, is launching a new online professional development training on meeting the needs of neurodivergent clients. The Professional Certification in the Fundamentals of Neurodiversity was developed at the FSU College of Social Work by the Institute for Family Violence Studies in conjunction with the FSU Center for Academic and Professional Development.

The Southeast Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Regional Center (ROTA-RC), an integral initiative under the umbrella of the Center for the Study and Promotion of Communities, Families, and Children (CFC Center) at the FSU College of Social Work, raises awareness about the alarming rates of teen opioid misuse, the consequences of overdose and the importance of prevention strategies for teenagers.

Online MSW Student, Harley Atkins, has worked in the field for more than six years with a particular interest in supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. As Lead Permanent Supportive Housing Programs Coordinator for Hospitality House of Northwest North Carolina for the past four years, he has helped disabled individuals and families to find permanent housing in his local region.

This spring, Associate Professor Dr. Jean Munn took a picture with her Introduction to the Profession class, the last she would teach as a faculty member of the College of Social Work before her retirement. She evoked, enjoying pizza and farewells," We met in the same classroom, room 1704, where I taught my first social work class at FSU. I loved teaching this class."

A recent study led by Dr. Lisa Schelbe looked at how campus support programs for students with a history of foster, relative care, and homelessness impacted college students.

Robyn Metcalf Blank joined The Griffin Group (TGG) as a Principal with the firm. She will head up the firm’s non-profit and education practice. The firm provides government relations, business, and non-profit development services with an emphasis on education, agriculture, land use/real estate, child welfare, local government, criminal justice, healthcare, and information technology.

Drawn to working with vulnerable populations at a young age, John Moore was expressly interested in working with individuals and families impacted by substance misuse. Although he initially intended to be a clinician, Moore’s research interests perpetuate his wish to promote the well-being and recovery of those impacted by substance misuse.

Dr. Stephen Tripodi, associate professor and director of the Doctoral Program at the FSU College of Social Work, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work, or GADE.