In a new partnership between CEHD and the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation (CHAI) in the School of Public Health, Marti DeLiema has accepted the appointment as associate director of education. DeLiema is an assistant professor in the School of Social Work (SSW). She is an interdisciplinary gerontologist, driven to understand how our society can cultivate long, healthy, and fulfilling lives for all citizens.
Prior to joining SSW, Professor DeLiema was a Research Scholar at the Stanford Center on Longevity at Stanford University. During graduate school at USC, she conducted research on elder abuse and neglect in minoritized communities, evaluated outcomes of a multidisciplinary team’s response to abuse, and documented the tactics scam artists use to deceive older adults.
In her new role, DeLiema will serve as the advisor to the aging studies interdisciplinary group and the director of graduate students for the interdisciplinary graduate minor in gerontology.
The School of Social Work is pleased to announce Michelle Mattison as the incoming MSW Practicum Coordinator.
Michelle (who is from Detroit, Michigan), is deeply passionate about social justice, and enhancing health factors in underserved communities. She holds a BA in Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
During her time at the University of Michigan, Michelle excelled as an HRSA Scholar, where she devised culturally sensitive models for integrated behavioral and primary health care setups. Her leadership is marked by progressive stances that emphasize anti-racist strategies within the complexities of privilege and oppression.
Michelle believes in fostering individual growth through candor, empathy, support, and integrity. She’s interested in facilitating accessible conversations on challenging subjects, while offering actionable pathways to self-improvement.
Welcome, Michelle! The School is so #UMNProud to have you here!
LaLiberte was recognized for her leadership in improving the training of child welfare professionals and for being instrumental in passing legislation that created for them a statewide training academy. This dynamic training enterprise is changing how professionals who serve children and families learn and deliver high-quality, competent services.
Women We Admire provides news and information on today’s women leaders and covers a broad range of topics and areas of interest aimed at recognizing the achievements of exceptional women.
The Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Doctoral Program Committee has selected Dr. John Bricout to receive the program’s “Making a Difference” award this year. The School’s PhD program confers this award in alternating years to an alumna/ae of the program who has distinguished themselves in the field, and have made significant contributions to the profession and its mission.
Professor Bricout’s areas of interest include social technologies and the engagement of people with disabilities, disability and employment, technology and social work ethics, interdisciplinary team building, rehabilitation science, workforce development, international social work.
Dr. Bricout will receive his award at the VCU Spring Celebration Luncheon on May 4th in Richmond, VA.
Randa is the Director of Equity and Culture at the YMCA of the North, with over ten years of experience in youth development, community development, diversity, equity and inclusion, program and partnership development, operations management, project management, and strategic planning and visioning. Read Randa’s full profile.
Rising Alumni Award recipients will be recognized at the CEHD Exceptional Alumni Awards Celebration on Tuesday, April 26 from 5:30 – 7:30 pm CT at McNamara Alumni Center.
“How Social Work (Mis)Managed History: A Dialogue and a Call for Change”
Join the Social Welfare History Group to consider how social work has and has not built history into our education, research and practice. Is it time for a change?
April 8, 2022, 2:00-3:15pm EST (1:00 CST / 12:00 MST / 11:00 PST)
PANELISTS: Mimi Abramovitz, Silberman SSW, Hunter College CUNY Laura Curran, Rutgers University School of Social Work Justin Harty, Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice, University of Chicago Jessica Toft, University of Minnesota School of Social Work Stephen Monroe Tomczak, Department of Social Work, Southern Connecticut State University
The School of Social Work is happy to welcome Beth Bayley, DMA (she/her) as Director of Operations, starting at the end of the month. Beth comes to CEHD from the Carlson School of Management where she was the Department Administrator in the Strategic Management & Entrepreneurship department and the Holmes Center for Entrepreneurship for four years. Previously, she spent five years working in the School of Kinesiology administrative office while she completed her Doctorate in Musical Arts at the U. Well-versed in UofM policy and administrative processes, Beth is excited to join SSW to support the work of faculty and staff.
Beth trains as an opera singer, and when she’s not practicing, she runs an Etsy shop that features items promoting mental health destigmatization and body positivity.
SSW Community Faculty Hilal Isler has been awarded a 2022 PERIPLUS fellowship, a program for writers that are Black, Indigenous and people of color. This year, the PERIPLUS collective awarded the fellowship to 59 writers (from a pool of more than 500 applicants), who met with mentors every month to receive feedback on their work and the publishing industry.
Hilal Isler has been with SSW’s Social Justice Minor Program since 2013. She teaches Introduction to Peace Studies and Introduction to Social Justice. She is also a writer, with work in the Paris Review, the LA Review of Books, the Brooklyn Review online, and elsewhere. She currently serves as Editor of the literary arts journal, the Hennepin Review. Her doctorate is from the University of Pennsylvania. Read more at her website.
The School of Social Work (SSW) is sad to say goodbye to several members of our community this summer, but equally excited for new opportunities that lie ahead both within the University and beyond. Please join us in thanking these colleagues for their time with numerous contributions to SSW, and wishing happiness and success in new their new positions!
MacKenzie Case skillfully served as Graduate Program Coordinator for the past several years and was integral to the successful operation of the MSW and PhD programs. MacKenzie helped the School of Social Work develop online processes to improve the timeliness and quality of administrative procedures, she worked closely with the School of Public Health to provide outstanding advising for our MSW/MPH dual degree students, and she offered unwavering support to our PhD students. Her tireless work on behalf of graduate students and her expertise in graduate school policies and practices will certainly be missed. Please join us in wishing MacKenzie all the best in her new position with Allina Health.
Ezra Hyland, instructor of literature and First Year Experience courses in the Youth Studies program, has accepted a position in the Writing Studies program at the University of Minnesota. Ezra has provided thoughtful leadership, friendly banter and meaningful instruction in the School of Social Work and CEHD for many years. During his time at the School of Social Work, he was the organizer and moderator of the Practice Under Pressure series on social work and policing, founder of the annual African American Read-In, and most recently, facilitator of CEHD’s International Speaker Series: A Conversation on Race, Nationalism, and Sports. Ezra’s efforts within education, athletics and literacy, particularly in the North Minneapolis community, are notable. He is the board chair of Harvest Best Academy, board member of V3 Sports, member of the National Council of Teachers in English and he recently took part in One Healing Community: A Partnership Between Lights On! & the Minnesota Vikings. In Ezra’s words, “when you have children in school and the literature doesn’t look like them, it doesn’t sound like them, it does not deal with their issues, you’re pushing them out rather than inviting them in.” While we are saddened by Ezra’s departure, we are thankful for his inspiration and the tools he leaves behind, and we wholeheartedly congratulate him and look forward to collaborating with him in new ways!
Kristen Perron moved on from her Field Coordinator position at the end of this academic year. Kristen started at the School in 2015 and was an invaluable member of the field education team. Our tremendous loss is St. Olaf College’s gain because Kristen accepted an Assistant Professor position in their Bachelor of Social Work program. She will continue to work as a field educator at St. Olaf. Kristen’s commitment to excellence in social work education and practice was evidenced in all of the work she did for us in the School. She was a passionate instructor, a superb field coordinator, and a wonderful colleague. We wish Kristen much happiness and success in her new position at St. Olaf.
Jennifer Witt stepped down as Director of Continuing Education but fortunately for the SSW, Jen looks forward to continuing her work in the school via adjunct teaching and continued involvement in the white accountability group. Jen worked for the School of Social Work for over 16.5 years, with 12 years at the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse serving as a Program Director and Associate Director, and 4.5 years as the Director of Continuing Education. Also, she has taught undergraduate and graduate classes since 2007, focusing on ending gender-based violence and working for social justice. In her most recent work, she is proud of collaborating with talented colleagues and local and national partners to grow the Continuing Education Program, adding a new 10-month, fully online, national, cohort-based Trauma-Effective Leadership Competency Certificate and growing both the Supervision in Social Work and Interdisciplinary Trauma Certificates. Her goal in leaving is to devote more time to teaching and more fully return home to gender-based violence work.
Jen Witt and Kristen Perron share a hug at an outdoor summer send-off.
Each year the School of Social Work offers a variety of exceptional Continuing Education opportunities for professionals working with children and families, clinical mental health, community practice, trauma, ethics, supervision, as well as health, disabilities, and aging. This summer’s virtual Continuing Education Series is already filling up! Please visit the website for full course listings, scheduling information, and to register.
Summer Course highlights include:
June:
Contemporary Intervention Approaches to Grief and Loss in an Era of the “Global Storm”: Racism, Pandemic, and Climate Change
DSM-5 Psychopathology Review
Resistance to Assistance: How to Avoid Pathologizing “Resistance” and Build Trust
Apprenticeship in Clinical Supervision: Theoretical Models with a Focus on Reflective Practice
Leaning into Darkness: Essential Concepts in the Provision of Trauma Informed Care
Social Work – Social Person: Finding Balance in the Context of Social Work Ethics
July:
Contracted Clinical Supervision: Navigating the Balance of Transparency, Support, and Accountability
Trauma Responsive Practices for Individuals with Disabilities
Healing after Hurt: Helping Repair Parent-Child Relationships after Rupture
Beyond Fun and Games: Using Play Therapy to Treat Trauma in Children 4-12 Years
Rethinking Challenging Kids: The Collaborative Problem Solving Approach
Secondary Traumatic Stress: Impact on Staff Performance and Wellbeing – Strategies for Supervisors and Organizations
August:
Experiential Interventions for the Assessment and Treatment of Traumatized Families: Restoring Balance, Competence, and Hope
Healing for the Trauma Organized System: Systemic and Supervisor Interventions
Group Work + Supervision: Fundamentals, Models, and Approaches
There are also still a few open spots for the 30-Hour Fast-Track Supervision Training. Learners can register for all of the classes to complete the full 30 hours in just five days, conveniently spaced over two weeks, or take stand-alone classes as needed.
“Helen Q. Kivnick had an abundance of gifts—brilliance as a scholar, talent as a musician, and a passionate commitment to making the world a better and more joyful place for others of all ages. Her middle name “Quintessa,” meaning essence, or something in its purest form, captures her warm spirit, generosity, intelligence, compassion, humor, and community-mindedness. Helen passed away on September 14, 2020. While Helen’s passing leaves deep sadness for people who knew and loved her, her legacy lives on, through her writings, her music, and the programs she developed. In the Jewish tradition, it is proper to say “May her memory be for a blessing.” What this means is “May you be like Helen.” May you remember her by carrying on her legacy in vital aging, music, and social justice.”
The School of Social Work is happy to welcome Rachel Clevenger as new Grant Coordinator from the CEHD Office of Research and Policy, where she will also support Family Social Science. Rachel comes to CEHD from Sponsored Project Administration (SPA), where she was a Senior Grant Administrator. She also has experience working with faculty on proposals at the pre-award stage in the Department of Medicine. Rachel brings years of grants knowledge and problem-solving experience, and she is excited to get to know her new departments.
When she’s not at work she enjoys reading to her son, hiking around in forests with her family, and listening to almost every kind of music.
The SSW Field Team welcomes all MSW students, field supervisors and partners, faculty, staff and alums to attend and/or participate in a year-end Zoom Cabaret Monday May 10th at 7pm. Participants can share song, poetry, story, comedy, dance and more to CELEBRATE OUR COLLECTIVE SPIRIT AND RESOLUTION TO THRIVE, SURVIVE, AND BUILD A WORLD BASED IN THE VALUES OF INTEGRITY, SERVICE, COMPETENCE, SOCIAL JUSTICE, THE DIGNITY AND WORTH OF THE PERSON, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS!
Please join us and let us entertain you, celebrate you, and lift your spirits! If you have a talent, a shtick, some writing, music, WHATEVER, please SHARE it with this community! If you would like to perform, read, share, please email MJ Gilbert at mgilbert@umn.edu
Congratulations to School of Social Work Alumni Abigail Gadea, MSW, MPP – one of 2021’s College of Education and Human Development Rising Alumni honorees! The CEHD Rising Alumni award recognizes graduates from the last 15 years who have achieved early distinction in their career, demonstrated outstanding leadership, and/or shown exceptional volunteer services in their community. Abigail exemplifies those characteristics in her work as Deputy Director, U of M Healthy Youth Development – Prevention Research Center. The honorees will be recognized with a virtual ceremony on Thursday, April 22 at 5:30 PM (CST). Register today to celebrate their achievements!
The University of Minnesota School of Social Work Diversity and Equity Committee is hosting a FREE three-part webinar series on the intersections of Social Work and Law Enforcement. Registration is open to the public for one, two, or all panels in the series – with individual registration links required for each session.CEU’s will also be available.
UPDATE: Panel 3 has been postponed to May 7th, 2021.
*Our community is currently experiencing significant amounts of pain, anger, and fear in response to recent events, including the murder of Daunte Wright by law enforcement. We acknowledge that many who intended to participate in this conversation cannot step outside the immediate needs of tending to themselves, their families, and their communities this week.
*If you have already registered to attend on April 16th, no further action is needed. An updated link for new registrants is linked below.
One of the most difficult aspects of social justice work has been how we engage with law enforcement. The murder of George Floyd demands us to explore the critical conversation of how social work/social justice practice intersects with police. Come hear practitioners discuss their agency experience in revising and re-visioning their practice as it relates to their collaboration with law enforcement.
Since the death of George Floyd, municipalities have been forced to grapple with the historical relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Come hear from community agencies that are engaged in creative work on the ground in North Minneapolis. Amidst increased calls for abolition and defunding, their work speaks to the effort to heal and change the relationship between police and the community.
The role of law enforcement in response to mental health crisis is a hot topic. There is also an increased reliance on social work professionals in the response to community mental health needs. Come hear from mental health policy experts and social workers as they talk about the implications of racism, law enforcement, and policy on practice.
Nate Gorr began his role as director of MSW admissions on January 11th. Nate has more than 19 years of admissions experience at three universities: Argosy University/New England Institute of Art (2001-2005), Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (2005-2006), and Augsburg University (2006-2020). His most recent work at Augsburg included serving as the Interim Assistant Vice President of Enrollment, Director of Graduate Admissions, and MSW Recruiter.
Nate is a lifelong Gopher fan and graduate of UM-Morris. When he’s not collaborating with faculty and staff to support prospective students inquiring into the MSW at the university, he enjoys being a dad of two sons, taking his two dogs (Legacy and Ethyr) to the dog park, and volunteering to mentor undergraduate college students.
Elizabeth Lightfoot, PhD, School of Social Work professor and Ph.D. program director, has been named recipient of the 2020 Award for Global Engagement.
The all-University Award for Global Engagement is given to faculty and staff members in recognition of outstanding contributions to global education and international programs at the University or in their field or discipline.
A virtual award ceremony and reception will be held Tuesday, January 12th at 12:00 p.m. On the day of the event, follow the link below to join the celebration. Please join us in honoring Professor Lightfoot!
Dr. Elizabeth Lightfoot has greatly contributed to international understanding, global engagement, and institution building both at the University of Minnesota and abroad.
In 2008, she received a Faculty Fulbright award to the University of Namibia. She was later able to develop a memorandum of understanding between the University of Namibia and the University of Minnesota. Over the past six years, Dr. Lightfoot has brought 17 social work graduate students from Minnesota to complete three-month internships in Namibian nongovernmental organizations, schools, or hospitals. She has also secured funding for Namibian faculty members to come to the University of Minnesota as visiting faculty each year.
Dr. Lightfoot completed a second Faculty Fulbright exchange at the University of Bucharest, where she mentored faculty and students and helped develop new approaches to training emerging scholars. She is hoping to develop an ongoing exchange program between the University of Bucharest and the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Lightfoot works to promote Fulbright opportunities to her colleagues, as well, speaking at University-wide workshops, helping faculty and students write their Fulbright proposals, and serving on the board of the Minnesota chapter of the Fulbright Association. She has also hosted a Fulbright scholar from Turkmenistan and will be hosting a scholar from Romania.
Within the School of Social Work, Dr. Lightfoot has advocated for international education. She pushed for the school to create an international specialization and developed the program’s structure. As Ph.D. program director, she has emphasized culturally appropriate mentoring of international students.
Members of the School of Social Work Song Circle gathered on Zoom to sing together.
“We sing to give voice to our pain, our brokenness, our hopes. We sing to heal our souls, so that we can go out and be healers in the world.”
The last time the School of Social Work Song Circle was able to sing together was a socially distanced gathering at a park in March, right as COVID began to change and limit so many aspects of our communal lives in 2020. The Song Circle formed more than two years ago as a regular way to come together not only in vocal harmony, but also to center students and staff alike in something transcendent. Founders made their goal explicit: “This is not a choir, and we are not rehearsing for a performance, there will be no audience. You do not need to be a musician or a singer, or read music to participate. If you have silenced yourself because you have been told your whole life that you “cannot sing” you are invited to come and challenge that lie. If you ARE a singer, and song is what holds your heart together, expect to find a space of rich harmony!”
As another long winter approaches, Song Circle organizers have worked to replicate a Zoom version of group meetings, despite the challenges of virtually singing together. While participants remain muted, individuals may offer songs to sing in unison or harmony, often encouraging a form of call and response. At the first Cloud gathering, pets and children joined along with students, staff and faculty in the sharing of both new and familiar song. One longstanding favorite, Blessed Motion composed by Annie Zylstra, invites members to sing a repeating line, or add various layering harmonies, until the group collectively senses the rendition is complete. This act of singing together in harmony – especially across computer screens – is a balance of freedom of expression and attunement to the others in the group.
For longtime members like Arielle Johnson, joining the Song Circle became one of the most meaningful experiences of her graduate career, and then losing in-person singing one of the biggest losses of the pandemic. “I was delighted when [founding member] MJ reached out to suggest creating a virtual song circle, which ended up being a lovely way to connect and sing together. While it was not the same as our in-person circle, it still meant a lot to me to share song, love, and gratitude with cherished community.”
New member Ashley Aguy felt the same sense of community translate across the virtual space. “As a new member of this SSW community, the Song Circle gave me an opportunity to experience my peers with my heart. As a Black Womxn, work places aren’t always safe for me; by experiencing the Song Circle space, I was able to see and feel the vulnerabilities and authenticity of my peers. This gave me hope.”
The founders see shared song as a restorative practice for those in a profession whose values of social justice, dignity, and human relationship have perhaps never been more fraught. “There is power in collective song. When we lift our voices together and find our own part in the harmony, it is a reflection of the greater harmony we seek…we sing to heal our souls, so that we can go out and be healers in the world.”
