Faculty & Research

A poet and a writer since adolescence, Dr. Nick Mazza was working in the maintenance department of a hospital in New Jersey putting himself through college when he noticed an article in Time magazine on poetry therapy. His curiosity piqued, he wrote to one of the national leaders in poetry therapy, attended a national conference in Brooklyn and found himself hooked. He approached the medical director of the hospital about reading poetry to patients, and the director introduced him to the hospital’s social services department. The rest is history.

Shairi Turner, MD, MPH, a Harvard-trained internist, and pediatrician will join the FSU College of Social Work as a research faculty member, and a key member of the College’s leadership traveling to Shanghai, China in May 2017.  The College's international delegation, consisting of Dr. Amy Ai, Dean Jim Clark, Dr. Turner, Dr. Neil Abell and Dr.

The struggle for transgender equality has recently been illustrated by the high-profile case of Gavin Grimm, a transgender teenager in Virginia. Grimm, who was assigned female at birth but has legally and medically transitioned to male, challenged a school board policy that was enacted to prevent him from using the boys’ bathroom.

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. 

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. 

Congratulations to our many distinguished faculty members who remain dedicated to the advancement of the social work profession. Listed below are a few of their recent awards and achievements.

The rate of diagnosis for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is the same among all racial groups — one in 110, according to current estimates. However, a study by a Florida State University researcher has found that African-American children tend to be diagnosed later than white children, which results in a longer and more intensive intervention.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida State university professor is spearheading a new outreach program to  mentor disadvantaged youth in the Big Bend on careers in residential construction.

Florida State University College of Social Work Professor Eyitayo Onifade is the leader of the new  program, which is called Construction-Coaching Opportunities to Reach Employment (C-CORE).

The program, which is a partnership between the college and the Home Builders Institute, is set to launch in mid-March.

As the only faculty recognition award by the student body, members of Burning Spear, Inc. recognized 15 faculty members across campus who have made a commitment to advancing FSU as a leading institution of higher education.  College of Social Work Assistant Professor Eyitayo Onifade was one of the esteemed faculty member honored with this award.

The FSU College of Social Work hosted its inaugural Research Exposition, April 10, 2012 in the University Center’s Futch Ballroom. The College shared a rich array of research topics with professors and students of the broader Florida State campus and members of the Tallahassee social services community.  The Exhibition, spearheaded by Professors Jean Munn, Stephen Tripodi, and the College’s Research Committee, renamed and restructured the College’s Research Showcase into a larger, broader annual public event.