Faculty & Research

Longtime Faculty Member Dr. Dina Wilke Retires

After twenty-four years as a faculty member of the FSU College of Social Work, Dr. Dina Wilke will retire at the end of the summer 2025 semester.

Throughout Dr. Wilke’s tenure, she served in numerous leadership positions at the college, including as associate dean for academic affairs from 2007 until 2014. She has also been a long-standing faculty affiliate of the Florida Institute for Child Welfare (FICW).

Research Study Examines Organizational Factors’ Impact on Work-Related Burnout in Child Welfare Workers

Workplace burnout is a frequent cause of turnover for child welfare workers.  Burnout is a multifaceted phenomenon and, research suggests that almost 65% of child welfare workers experience it. Burnout includes co-occurring physical, emotional and mental exhaustion that is often related to organizational, or work-related, factors.

Examining Longitudinal Service Trajectories of Children Entering Residential Care through Different Pathways

Residential care settings have long been a critical component of child welfare and mental health services, and, broadly defined, encompasses group homes, residential treatment centers, statewide inpatient facilities, and emergency shelters. These settings provide 24-hour care and treatment for children with complex needs.

Children in residential care often present with high acuity or specialized needs, requiring a greater level of services due to severe behavioral, emotional, or mental health problems, developmental disabilities, and chronic medical conditions.

Research Study Highlights Occupational Impact on Cognitive Health in Older Adults

Education is widely recognized as a strong predictor of cognitive health in aging. However, a recent study published in The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences explores how occupational experiences before age 60 mediate the relationship between education and cognitive function in adults aged 65 and older.

Social Work Faculty Member Receives University Teaching Award for Innovation in Teaching

Jessica Greil-Burkhart, an assistant teaching professor with the FSU College of Social Work, was awarded a 2024-25 University Teaching Award for Innovation in Teaching from the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. The award honors faculty who invest considerable time and effort into transforming the learning experiences they provide for their students.