Skip to Content

College of Social Work

2021 News Archive

One Alum's Story of Transforming to a Social Work Career and Positively Influencing Students and Families

Colin Bauer was a musical performance major in college. But experiences at a summer camp for inner city youth and with the Peace Corps helped transform his life and career aspirations.

A Passion for Social Work Leads One Student to Share Her Advocacy and Understanding of Social Issues

Hannah Buckner's knowledge of the social work field, advocacy and experiences have combined to give her a passion for listening and helping others by utilizing her talents and gifts.

Alum Combines Social Work, Biology, Teaching and Mentoring in Her Job

Tamara Savage may not have initially studied or started her professional career in social work. But she now incorporates all her interests in an academic setting, while mentoring students who feel they have nowhere to turn for help.

Browne Named Interim Dean

Associate Dean of Faculty and Research Teri Browne has been named interim dean of the College of Social Work, effective August 1.

Looking Back on a Career of Service to Others and Transforming Lives and Communities

Recently retired alum Virginia White, MSW '94, spent more than two decades bringing together professionals and organizations to address the needs of the perinatal community, bring more awareness to services and resources, and helping clients become change agents in their community.

Roth Continues Research on How School Social Workers Can Help Eliminate Barriers for Immigrant Students

Over the last two years, Associate Professor Ben Roth has studied how school social workers can advocate for immigrant students and their families to eliminate barriers to equity.

School Social Workers Win Field Instructor of the Year Awards

The College of Social Work recently recognized two field instructors for their work and dedication to students' success as part of the field education practicum.

Ph.D. Student Wins Graduate Student Trustee Fellowship

Agnes Nzomene Kahouo Foda reflected on how her personal immigration experiences influenced her decision to pursue a doctoral degree. These experiences and research goals helped her earn a trustee fellowship from the university.

Master of Social Work Class of 2021

The College of Social Work would like to recognize and congratulate each graduate of the MSW class of 2021.

Bachelor of Social Work Class of 2021

The College of Social Work would like to recognize and congratulate each graduate of the BSW class of 2021.

Seeing Struggles as a Benefit Pushes One BSW Student Toward Achieving Her Goals

While challenges and difficulties may stop some individuals from reaching their goals, Mysticka Robinson has used her struggles as motivation. Enduring more than most students, she is now only days away from receiving her Bachelor of Social Work degree.

MSW Spotlight: Emily Zona

Emily Zona believes her own mental health struggles can better help her clients. As she prepares to begin her social work career in a psychiatric program, Zona discusses some aspects of mental health, including the impact of COVID-19 and how it is perceived by society.

Childhood Trauma Motivates One MSW Student to Pursue a Social Work Career

Mallorie Moore has overcome several obstacles and challenges in her life. As someone who did not have the best experiences with the child welfare system, she is looking forward to advocating and making a positive impact in the lives of others.

Studying Law in Colombia; Discovering Social Work in Columbia

Daniela Salazar Restrepo's studies and experiences in law and human rights have been helpful during her time at the College of Social Work. She has also learned how aspects of social work and law can work together to solve problems and improve the lives of individuals and families.

BSW Award Winner: Whitney Garland

Whitney Garland has overcome her share of obstacles during her four years at South Carolina. But those struggles have made her a stronger person and led her to become a mental health advocate around campus through actions and productive discussions.

BSW Award Winner: Tamiah Anderson

Tamiah Anderson's leadership and excellence in the classroom and at her field placement are two qualities that make her an ideal representative of the Bachelor of Social Work program.

BSW Award Winner: Jenna Cameron

Jenna Cameron has been active in improving the lives of fellow students, serving others, and participating in community service projects throughout the UofSC campus.

MSW Student Desires to Help Women by Utilizing Obstetric Counseling

Emily VanWiel's undergraduate degree in communications studies has been beneficial in her social work education. It has been especially helpful at her field placement in a labor and delivery unit where she works with clients from different social and economic situations.

MSW Student Aims to Examine Issues of Child Development and Health Beyond the Classroom

Kalen Kelly initially thought she was headed toward a career in the classroom. But now, she is prepared to help provide best practices and resources for families and children that lead to better life outcomes.

BSW Students and Faculty Participate in Legislative Day Sessions

Three Bachelor of Social Work students recently had the opportunity to experience the influence and power of advocacy, an essential skill to help promote positive change for any issue that affects individuals, families and communities.

Student Spotlight: Allie Farrell, BSW '21

Allie Farrell will graduate next month with her Bachelor of Social Work degree. But before she starts graduate studies, she will immediately apply her skills and experiences in service to the AmeriCorps program.

Scholars Program Provides MSW Students with Opportunities for Rural Health Education and Experience

The World Health Organization defines interprofessional healthcare as "multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds working together with patients, caregivers and communities to deliver the highest quality of care." One program is teaching how Master of Social Work students can incorporate this model to rural populations.

Student Spotlight: Breeanna Thames, MSW '21

When Breeanna Thames graduates next month, it will complete a multitasking journey that has required her to manage family responsibilities, school, field education, and a part-time job.

Undergraduate Program Helps Increase Diversity in Advanced Graduate Programs and Research Careers

Thanks to Professor Sue Levkoff's desire to help increase underrepresented racial and ethnic minority students in graduate studies and research careers, the South Carolina - Advancing Diversity in Aging Research program has provided opportunities for 30 students since 2015.

MSW Student Maintains His Passion for Art While Pursing a Social Work Career

Tyler Messel once thought his future career would be teaching art in the classroom. But since switching his focus to social work, he now believes he has more tools to make a difference in the lives of others.

A Message from Kirk Foster, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

A statement regarding the recent shootings in Atlanta against Asian and Asian American communities.

Alum Uses Simple Solutions to Solve Complex Problems Through Her Foundation

Some people are fortunate to work or live out their passion daily. Nikki Fleming, MSW '00, loves to serve, and her foundation she co-founded with her husband helps empower individuals, organizations and communities.

Mom Inspires BSW Student to Pursue a Social Work Career and Share Her Passions

Emily Neel has witnessed the help and compassion her mom provides for nursing home residents. As she prepares to pursue graduate education and a social work career, she wants to emulate her mom in serving and positively influencing individuals and communities.

Student Spotlight: Rachel Floyd, MSW/MPH, '22

Once combination degree student Rachel Floyd realized she wanted to interact and learn more about her clients while working in a pediatrician's office, she decided to follow a path where she could implement social work and public health strategies to provide solutions.

Combination Degree Student Utilizes Criminology Knowledge and Personal Experiences to Social Work

Witnessing first-hand the low socioeconomic status of children and the effects of addiction helped motivate Hannah Creasey to pursue a social work career. She also wants to utilize her criminology and public health education and experience to improve children's outcomes.

Ph.D. Candidate Receives Award for Women's and Gender Studies-Related Research

Tamara Grimm recently received an award that will assist in her doctoral research on gender-related healthcare disparities.

College of Social Work Helps Celebrate Social Work Month

The College of Social Work is proud to celebrate and support all our students and alumni during March as part of Social Work Month. The theme for this year is "Social Workers are Essential."

Expanding on Kidney Disease Research by Exploring the Effects of COVID-19

While COVID-19 has made some research more difficult, Associate Dean of Faculty and Research Teri Browne is part of kidney disease-related study that has been expanded to determine the struggles of co-investigators during the pandemic.

Living in Texas Still Allows Alum to Improve Outcomes for Children in Massachusetts

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken some social workers away from their offices or job sites at some point. But for Amanda Verhaak, MSW '18, her virtual office in a different region of the country from her job has not stopped her from positively influencing the lives of children.

BSW Student Finds a Passion and Perseveres Through Obstacles Toward Educational Goals

Caroline Smith started her undergraduate studies in 2012. While there were opportunities for her to abandon her studies and settle for something else, she persevered and is looking forward to a fulfilling social work career.

BSW Student Spotlight: Karlee Lambert

"It's knowing that at the end of the day you will hopefully make an impact on someone, even if it's small."

Alum's Experiences with Children and Families Leads to Fulfilling Career in Child Welfare

Julie Dubee, MSW '11, was not interested in working in child welfare when she started at the College of Social Work. But she credits the college, and her field placements and early jobs to eliminate the stigmas of child welfare, a field where she currently works.

How One Student's Passion for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities Started with Ceramics

Elise Maglione's social work focus area can be traced back to her job while on break during undergrad. What started as helping others with ceramics turned into discovering her passion.

Transitioning One Student's Assumptions from Negative to Positive

Master of Social Work student Haley Bodell was hesitant starting her undergraduate field placement at a local homeless center. But the experiences helped her discover her passions and future career path.

Three Ph.D. Students Awarded SPARC Graduate Research Grants

Ph.D. students Tasha Childs, Christian Holmes and Melissa Mull were recently awarded graduate research grants from the Office of the Vice President for Research, while also gaining valuable experience in the application and proposal process.

Two MSW Students Assist with Statewide Human Trafficking Task Force

As part of their assignment for Associate Professor Aidyn Iachini's course, Master of Social Work students Ashley Ghent and Melissa Johnson assisted with an important statewide report regarding COVID-19 and human trafficking.

Maintaining Activism and Speaking Out Against Injustices in 2021 and Beyond

Last year brought a wave of protests against police violence and social injustices. But faculty member Kirk Foster and MSW student Josie DeShong believe permanent change is only possible by continuing to speak out and educating others on all inequities.

College of Social Work to Host Two Upcoming Events Featuring UofSC Alum Bakari Sellers

Author, attorney, political commentator and former politician Bakari Sellers will be the focus of two upcoming virtual events.

Challenge the conventional. Create the exceptional. No Limits.

©