CSW General

Two years ago, Darcy Maher (MSW ’15) inspired student Megan Armison to become involved in FSU’s Dance Marathon.  The event raises funds each year for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. Darcy’s excitement and passion encouraged Megan to join in 2016 as a dancer. By the end of her first event, she began planning her involvement in next year’s event. With Darcy’s support, Megan was designated the College of Social Work delegate for the 2017 FSU Dance Marathon.

Some people want to see change in their environments, and others choose to actively make that change a reality. These extraordinary individuals, like Catherine ‘Cat’ Keen, believe that change cannot be achieved unless executed in a ‘structured, strategic way’ and go to great lengths to exemplify the change they wish to see within their communities.

On the evening of February 28^th before the beginning of Social Work Month and Women’s History Month, more than 500 people gathered at the Turnbull Conference Center for the fourth annual Women in Leadership conference to enjoy inspirational dialogue and advice from a multitude of female leaders.

Norman Anderson Appointed Assistant Vice President for Research 

Norman Anderson, an eminent psychologist and member of the National Academy of Medicine, will join the Florida State University faculty with primary appointments as a research professor in both the College of Social Work and the College of Nursing. He also will serve as assistant vice president for research and academic affairs. 

Florida State University has chosen university alumna Jessica Pryce to lead the Florida Institute for Child Welfare. 

The institute was created by the Florida Legislature in June 2014 to conduct research, policy analysis and program evaluation of child protection and child welfare services. The measure, Senate Bill 1666, was drafted in response to what lawmakers called a “broken child welfare system.” 

The College of Social Work celebrated its newest graduates at the fall graduation reception and pinning ceremony in the Oglesby Union Ballrooms in Tallahassee, Florida on December 16, 2016. Graduates were presented on stage with a College of Social Work pin. As one of the College’s more recent traditions, the pins commemorate the important step social work students take from the academic world to the professional world, and marks them as proud alumni of the FSU College of Social Work. 

Bionca and Breyonna Reese are not only identical twins, they also share a passion for social work. Beginning their academic career at Atlanta Metropolitan College, in their hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, Breyonna started her associate’s degree in computer science and Bionca started majoring in history. “It’s funny, actually,” Breyonna reflected on the experience. “We both changed our major to social science and did not even know it until we both started taking social work classes at the same time.” 

Lisa Schelbe, an assistant professor in the FSU College of Social Work has been named a member of the 2017 class of fellows of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR). 

This distinction recognizes members of the society who have furthered its mission – to advance, disseminate and translate research that addresses issues of social work practice and policy and promotes a diverse, equitable and just society. 

The FSU College of Social Work has always been committed to helping students and alumni achieve success, but recently, Dean Nick Mazza decided to do more.

“There was really an opportunity for the College to reach out to students, alumni and community members, and enhance their professional careers in social work,” said Mazza. “We established the Professional Development Program to provide additional resources for these groups that will ultimately help them succeed.”

Emily Cunningham, a junior at FSU’s College of Social Work, has volunteered with several organizations, but she recently had the opportunity to take on a leadership role when a friend asked if she would like to coordinate a volunteer project to raise awareness of homelessness in Tallahassee. In their project, titled “Conversation Pieces: Socially Engaged Art,” they conducted a series of art sessions for the children and adult residents of a local transitional housing community called HOPE.