Florida State University has named an expert on forensic mental health as dean of the College of Social Work.
James J. Clark, who has served as professor and director of the School of Social Work in the University of Cincinnati’s College of Allied Health Sciences since July 2012, will begin work at Florida State on July 20.
Alumna Samantha (“Sam”) Spiers (BSW, 2012; MSW, 2014) had never considered a career in advising, but the previous BSW advisor and alumna Lisa Burgos (BSW, 2009 ; MSW, 2010) in Sam the same passion for helping people, especially students. “Little did she know how much I would love advising students,” Sam joked when reminiscing about applying for the position. But, Sam has excelled in her role as BSW advisor for the FSU College of Social Work.
Dr. Machelle Madsen Thompson, an FSU College of Social Work adjunct professor and alumna, was honored for her efforts in teaching on April 27, 2015 at the FSU Faculty Awards Dinner. Machelle received the biennial Ralph Stair Prize in Innovative Education for her inventive assignments in social work that aid students in better understanding the impact of living in poverty.
Through the Fulbright Scholar Program and a partnership with Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic, Associate Professor Dr. Jean Munn will take her research in in geronotolgical and aging studies to a whole new level during the spring 2016 semester. “This opportunity is going to allow me to forge a new collaboration in the Czech Republic with people with similar research interests” Dr. Munn explained.
The Florida State University College of Social Work celebrated with alumni, donors, faculty, staff and students at the annual Student Scholarship and Distinguished Alumni Dinner on September 10, 2015 at the FSU Alumni Association. Dean Jim Clark and faculty member Rosalyn Deckerhoff presided over the ceremony, which included words of gratitude and inspiration from MSW student Rachel Mack. A majority of the 57 social work scholarship recipients at the BSW, MSW and Ph.D. level were in attendance to receive recognition.
The College of Social Work’s new dean, Dean Jim Clark was introduced to a number of alumni, donors, community partners, faculty, staff and students at a welcome reception held in his honor. Below, are his remarks made at the welcome reception addressing the state of social work and the College of Social Work and his plans and initiatives for the future.
Remarks by Dean Jim Clark
Florida State University researcher Amy L. Ai, has been selected as a fellow of the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Division 56, Trauma Psychology.
Ai, a professor in the College of Social Work, has been elevated to fellow status based on her unusual and outstanding contributions with national or international impact in the area of trauma psychology.
With a $1.28 million, four-year grant from the Centers for Disease Control, the Florida State University College of Social Work and the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) School of Social Work will evaluate new online suicide screening and prevention tools aimed at decreasing suicide rates among middle-age men.
Bruce Thyer, a professor in the College of Social Work at Florida State University, has been named a fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, one of the most prestigious honors that social work scholars can receive.
A new study led by faculty members in the Florida State University College of Social Work will examine the individual and organizational influences on child welfare employee retention and, ultimately, child and family outcomes in Florida.
