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Our Faculty in the School of Social Work welcome you!

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Our Faculty in the School of Social Work welcome you!

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Welcome, new students (and welcome back, returning students)! I have had the pleasure of serving as the Dean of the VCU School of Social Work for the past two years, and have been a social work educator for the past 20 years. Although I now work mainly in administration, I was originally a mental health practitioner specializing in working with people experiencing mental illness and co-occurring involvement in the legal system. I am passionate about our profession and am motivated every day by the work of ensuring that we are shaping the future of the profession through our work educating students and generating new knowledge for the field. During my “off time” I enjoy running, cooking, reading, spending time with my husband, adult sons, and dog - and during non-pandemic times, traveling to new places every chance I get. While you may not have expected to pursue your educational dreams during a pandemic, I hope you have a wonderful, learning-filled year - our field needs you more than ever!

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Welcome to the School of Social Work and best wishes as a student in the profession of social work.  This year in the MSW online program I am teaching the generalist macro practice courses that focus on policy, community, and organization practice, as well as an elective course about spirituality and social work practice. My interests are in the areas of generalist social work practice and social work education. In the community, I serve on the Community Impact Council of United Way Services and the Advisory Committee of the Virginia Center on Aging. I am looking forward to meeting you in class and at our school activities.

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Welcome to the School!   I am a tenured full Professor who teaches courses in the MSW program related to mental health and mental illness, including Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Mental Health Policy and Services and an elective I developed and have taught for 25 years, Social Work Practice and Psychopharmacology.   Recent research projects include a survey of the beliefs and experiences of family members related to psychiatric medication and a study examining the professional identity of psychiatrists and their approach to communication with their clients about medication. Other inquiries relate to experiences with psychiatric medication of incarcerated women, pregnant and postpartum women, and folx with serious mental illness.  My advice while you are here is to allow yourself to be transformed and don't hesitate to be a part of the transformation of others by sharing your story.  And when you get out there and have the honor of helping people for a living, always remember to lead with empathy, follow with hope.  :-)

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Hey everyone, and welcome to the SSW! I'm an Associate Professor in the SSW. I teach mainly in the BSW and Ph.D. programs, but I'm always up for working with MSW students as well. I teach mainly about social welfare policy, so if you want to explore policy issues, let's chat! My research aims to improve community living outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I do much of my research in collaboration with folks at VCU's Partnership for People with Disabilities. I'm also a core faculty member for the Virginia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities program, which is intended for MSW students who want to get a truly interprofessional experience about disability or healthcare. If you're interested in any of this, I'd love to connect!

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Welcome everyone to a truly exceptional year in higher education!!  I have been at VCU for almost 5 years. With pleasure and pride, I serve as the Director of the School's PhD Program. My research interests are in global mental health and the well-being of older adults in low-resource settings worldwide. Feel free to reach out if this is an area of interest to you. Warm wishes for a terrific academic year ahead.

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Hello and welcome! I am an Assistant Professor in Teaching at VCUSSW. In my role as a faculty field liaison, I teach BSW Juniors and Seniors as well as MSW Generalist students as they complete their field education experiences. I am also providing field instruction this academic year for BSW and MSW students. I am on the Board of Directors for Full Circle Grief Center and facilitate two support groups (Pregnancy After Loss and Parenting After Loss). I am passionate about supporting individuals and families as they navigate through their grieving process.

My favorite title is "mama". I love chasing after my  one year old son and hearing him squeal in excitement. Our family loves to enjoy the beach and spend quality time together on walks. I hope you have a fantastic academic year and feel free to reach out to me to connect!

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Welcome to the new school year!  I am the Interim Director of Field Education and an Associate Professor in teaching.  My career has centered on creating opportunities for others to engage in professional development and learning from the perspective of others.  I am dedicated to cross-cultural exchange and have provided opportunities for students to engage in social work learning in Ghana and the Dominican Republic over the years. I am currently the co-founder of the RVA Street Singers and typically teach a BSW service-learning course on music and social justice (currently not held due to the pandemic).  I wish you all the best as you work to navigate the complexities of this semester and look forward to supporting you through this process as you engage in field education!

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Welcome! So glad that you are all here!

I am excited to be the faculty champion for the Opioid Learning Collaborative at VCU this year. We have a great group of MSW students who are participating in a year-long experience, along with faculty, students, and field supervisors from other universities across the U.S., learning best practices for working with individuals with substance use problems.

I am an Associate Professor, and, in the spring, I will be teaching a substance misuse prevention elective and research methods course in the MSW program. My research interests focus on alcohol misuse and related social and health problems. I am currently using Twitter and Instagram data to study alcohol consumption during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. And, of course, currently missing my daughter who's off at school.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy academic year. And please reach out if any of these topics interest you. I would love to chat!

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Hey, y'all! I'm really excited that you've chosen to complete your social work education here with us at VCUSSW. I am the assistant director of the Online MSW Program and an assistant professor. I currently teach the Social Work and Social Justice course in the MSW program as well as a MSW elective course: Technology Application and Social Work Practice.

My research interests include women's leadership, developing programming to engage non-traditional and at-risk students in implicit curricula; using technology effectively to build relationships, and contributing to the understanding of student success for first-generation minority college students.

When I'm not teaching, you can find me biking the city and capital trail with my daughter. I hope you all have an amazing year with us.

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Hi! I can't believe you're finally here! Welcome.

I'm a member of the faculty here at VCU. I work with budding social workers to expand their ideas about what macro social work practice can be and what it means to be a part of the policy process. In practice, I built programs and worked as a Director of a non-profit. In my research, I'm focused on environmental justice and the work of activists in Virginia right now.

One thread that ties this all together is that I am drawn to change and transformational growth in my students, in practice, and in research (and in myself!).

Wherever you land on your journey at VCU, it is my hope that you seek transformational growth in yourself and in the world around you.

Take care of yourself and others,

Kimberly

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Greetings, Great People! I am an assistant professor in the SSW, just entering my fourth year. I teach Community, Policy, and Organizational Practice in the MSW program and Intro to Qualitative Methods in the Doctoral program. My research focuses on the experiences of Black mothers and Black students from mother-centered households.  Super excited that you have elected VCU's SSW as one stop in your social work and social justice journey. Affirming a spectacular school year for you! Feel free to contact me if you'd like to chat.

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Hello and welcome.  This is my 25th year at the VCU School of Social Work!  When I'm not teaching BSW, MSW, and PhD courses, and collaboratively working on community-university projects related to abuse of people with disabilities, I'm hanging out with my wife, daughter, and grandchildren; exercising; and playing with my two dogs and cat.  I would imagine that your entry into the social work program (or your continuation) may not be as you may have pictured it (during a pandemic); however, I hope you'll be open to what learnings and gifts will likely come your way.

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Welcome to VCU and the School of Social Work!

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Hi!  Welcome to the new school year!  I am new to the School of Social Work and to Richmond this year and am so excited to be joining you. I am an Associate Professor and the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs.  In my role I collaborate with the BSW, MSW, and PhD programs to support the curriculum and the student experience.   I also oversee the Office of Student Success and the Field Office and support their functions in providing you outstanding support and educational opportunities.

I am licensed as a clinical social worker in the state of Texas with over 20 years of social work practice experience that I have been able to share in teaching BSW, MSW and PhD classes. My research and practice focus on the areas of emerging adulthood, complex trauma, family trauma and disruption, relational attachment, substance and process addiction recovery, and the use of technology to increase access in social work and social work education, particularly among BIPOC.

I host a student community hour every Tuesday at 11:00am EST that can be accessed on zoom (https://vcu.zoom.us/j/98809472324).  This is open to all social work students.  I welcome you to stop by and visit.  I look forward to learning with you!

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Howdy!  And welcome to the VCU School of Social Work!   I am a Visiting Scholar in the Sustainable Food Access Core of the Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry and Innovation (iCubed).  Prior to coming to the School of Social Work, I worked as a governmental executive at the state and federal levels.  Most recently, I served as the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Throughout my academic and professional career, I have worked to help promote inclusive, equitable and sustainable food systems, good government, agriculture policy, public health, community economic development and wealth building strategies in minority and under-served communities.

When I’m not in Richmond, I can be found on my family farm in Buckingham County, Virginia, where we own and operate an environmentally responsible, Black Angus, beef cattle operation. I just love driving tractors….

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Hello all! I’m Hyojin Im, Associate Professor at VCU SSW. I’m teaching Research for Clinical Social Work Practice I&II (second-year MSW research practicum) and International Social Work Practice (an MSW elective course for spring, 2021 – which will focus on “Global Health & Global Mental Health” this year).  My research interests center around trauma and mental health, focusing on how cultural dimensions prescribe or influence mental health experiences and resilience. I am also passionate about working with various community partners to help them build capacity and partnership for culturally responsive, trauma-informed care within the refugee resettlement program. My work with refugee communities has been both domestic and international. If you’re interested in these topics or international social work in general, please feel free to reach out to me at him (not her!) at vcu.edu. :)

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Welcome everyone! I am an assistant professor and teach social policy & aging in the MSW and research courses in the MSW and PhD programs. I am also the Aging Certificate Program coordinator. My research interests are in neighborhood changes and the mental health of older adults. I’d love to talk with anyone interested in the field of aging. Enjoy your journey!

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Welcome to VCU School of Social Work! I am an Associate Professor and teach macro practice and research courses in the BSW, MSW, and PhD programs. My research interests include correlates/causes/consequences of poverty and development of innovative anti-poverty strategies. I’d love to chat with you interested in any of these. Have a terrific academic year!

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Welcome students! We are so glad that you are joining us, whether it be in person or online, synchronous or asynchronous, here there or anywhere!

I am an Associate Professor and have spent most of my academic career in the role of field educator. I have also taught several in person courses in the Master's program, including SLWK 604 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups I, SLWK 703 Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, and an elective I developed called Evidence Based Practice for Children, Adolescents, and their Families. I have clinical practice experience in providing psychotherapy to children and adolescents where I developed my passion for trauma- and evidence-informed practice.

This year, I'm diving into online education, which I am already really enjoying. I will be teaching SLWK 604 online this semester with plans to expand my online teaching offerings in the spring.

I am also very excited to be the faculty advisor for the Queer and Trans Social Work student group (and by the way, we are looking for new leaders and members, so if you are interested, please join us!)  https://vcu.campusgroups.com/qtswvcu/home/

I hope, although unprecedented, this turns out to be a fabulous year!

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Welcome to the VCU School of Social Work! I am an Associate Professor and I teach Research for Clinical Social Work Practice, Social Work and Social Justice, and Concentration Social Policy (Migration and Human Rights). My research and practice interests include migration family health interventions, global health (South Asia), and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) in ethnic minority groups. I hope you have a terrific year!

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Welcome to the School of Social Work (SSW). I am honored that you have decided to allow VCU to be a part of your academic journey. I have been associated with VCU for approximately 20 years. I earned my MSW and PhD here. My research interests include program evaluation, intimate partner violence/homicide in communities of color, and the impact of exercise and nutrition on the biopsychosocial spiritual functioning of persons of color. I currently teach human behavior (MSW) and social work practice (BSW).

As an associate professor and the assistant director of the MSW program, I  help students navigate the MSW program. Additionally, as an instructor in the BSW program, I get to watch students as they discover, many for the first time, the amazing world of social work.

As you move through your social work program, please remember that you are an important part of our learning community and that there are numerous resources to support your growth.

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Dr. Shelby Elaine McDonald (she/her/they/them)

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Dr. Shelby Elaine McDonald (she/her/they/them)

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Hi folx, I’m Shelby McDonald, Associate Professor in the SSW. My primary roles include research and teaching. This semester, I’m teaching an MSW elective on human-animal interaction across the lifespan. This course addresses diverse topics such as: the human-animal bond; the intersection of animal and child welfare; animal-assisted therapy; environmental justice; and how carceral logics of the animal welfare movement contribute to the continued oppression of marginalized groups. My research focuses on human-animal interaction and its effects on psychosocial functioning in childhood through emerging adulthood. I have several active research projects including the Pets & Families Study, LGBTQ+ Youth Supports Study, and Pets & COVID-19 Study. If you are interested in research and want to get involved, please reach out to the Children, Families, and Animals Research Team at CFAR@vcu.edu.  I hope you have a wonderful semester and year!

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Hello everyone and welcome to the new school year! I am an assistant professor, starting my 4th year at VCUSSW. I teach Social Work and Social Justice and advanced social policy focusing on children's mental health in the MSW program and social work history and philosophy in the doctoral program. My research focuses on improving the mental health and well-being of youth and adults with histories of childhood trauma and child welfare placements  (adoption, foster care, and orphanages)  and building socially just child welfare systems locally and globally..

I  am interested in the intersection of adverse childhood experiences and racism/discrimination, racial and ethnic identity development among tranracial adoptees, ambiguous loss of biological families, social justice pedagogy, and how social connections can be leveraged to improve mental health and well-being. I have conducted research on adolescent mental health and school outcomes of youth in orphanages in South Korea, and  recently completed a study exploring the social networks of emerging adults on mental health and school. I will be launching a study on adult outcomes among adopted and foster alumni in the USA this fall -- so if you are interested in any of these topics or just want to chat about being a social worker (I worked in child and adolescent mental health and adoption policy) I invite you to reach out!! Sending kindness and compassion to you all for a wonderful school year!

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Hello, and welcome to our School of Social work! My name is Ananda Newmark, Associate Professor in Teaching and BSW Program Director. I teach in the BSW program and currently teach SLWK 201: Introduction to Social Work. My research focus is undergraduate, BSW student success as well as the inclusion of technology in teaching and learning in social work education. This is the 15th year that I have been with our School and am excited to continue to work with BSW students and am inspired by their strong conviction and desire to help others. WELCOME.!

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Welcome to the VCU School of Social Work! I am an Associate Professor in Teaching in the SSW. This year, you will find me teaching Clinical Social Work Practice I & II and two trauma electives in the MSW program.

I am a licensed clinical social worker in Virginia with substantive experience in clinical work with people who have experienced trauma. I also have nearly 20 years of nonprofit experience, much of which focused on developing and leading effective trauma-focused services for youth and families. Outside of my role at VCU, I continue to provide outpatient clinical services, primarily with LGBTQ+ adults who experience traumatic stress and anxiety, in my small private telemental health practice. Yes, it was telemental health before COVID-19! I'm happy to share resources if you find yourself providing telemental health services this semester!

This semester might not look the way you hoped, but I know that each you has the ability to rock this! Please don't hesitate to reach out to talk trauma-informed care, trauma-focused clinical practice, self-care, community care, and telemental health!

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Hi, I'm Sarah Kye Price, Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Development.  Here in the School of Social Work, I oversee the Office for Faculty Development and provide resources and support to our full-time and adjunct faculty members.  In my faculty roles, I teach Social Work with Oppressed Groups in the BSW Program and Social Work Practice in Health Care in the MSW Program.  I'm also the advisor to the dual degree MSW-MPH program.  My research focuses on Maternal and Child Health, grief and bereavement, and community based participatory research.  I'd love to talk with anyone interested in the MSW/MPH program, public health perspectives in social work or the  intersections of faith and social justice.

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Welcome! We are so glad you are here. I work in the SSW as the Child Welfare Stipend Coordinator and I am a member of the faculty. My practice experience prior to beginning my role in the school is largely in public child welfare. My primary roles in the school include the administration of the Title IV-E grant and teaching. I am particularly interested in preparing students to be agents of change in a way that utilizes our social work values and ethics to engage families, foster connections, and advocate for systems’ changes that support children, youth and their families. My hope for you this year is that you lean into the discomfort, challenge yourself to pay attention to new ways of seeing, and to build in new and meaningful ways that shift our systems, communities, and work towards being more just.

I look forward to getting to know many of you this year!

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Hi everyone!  Welcome to the SSW!  So happy that you are here!

My primary role is serving as the field education coordinator in the Office of Field Education.  I work to develop new placement sites, plan orientation and training events, and match students to their internship sites.  I also teach, primarily the field instruction courses for BSW and MSW generalist level students, and have also taught SLWK 201: Introduction to Social Work.

Looking forward to connecting with you!  Feel free to reach out at any time!

Take care of yourself,
Christina

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Hello everyone. Welcome to the new school year!

I am an associate professor, teaching social work research methods courses in the MSW program. My practice and research interests include developing and testing innovative social work interventions and studying adverse childhood experiences and their effects on health, learning, and behavior of our children and adolescents. Let me know if this is your area of interest.

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Hello and welcome (or welcome back) to the School! As the M.S.W. program director, I want to especially welcome all M.S.W. students both new and continuing.  As the director, my responsibility is to ensure that all M.S.W. students enjoy a quality student experience.  To that end, I oversee curriculum and adjunct instruction, and I collaborate with student success, the office of field education, and other departments within the School. In addition, I teach the research courses in the clinical specialization which affords me the opportunity to engage more closely with students and better understand student perspectives.  I am so glad you are here and wish you great success in the upcoming academic year.

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Hi, ya'll! I am Alex Wagaman, Associate Professor in the School of Social Work. I teach macro classes in the BSW and MSW program, community organizing, and racially just social work practice. My research interests include resilience among LGBTQ+ youth & communities, ending youth homelessness, and racial justice in social work education. I am also involved in the Black Lives Matter Student-Faculty-Alumni Collective in the School of Social Work. Would love to connect with you on any of these things!

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Hi everyone and Welcome! I am an associate professor in the SSW and teach macro courses in the MSW program and research methods in the MSW and PhD programs. My research area focuses on promoting resilience among youth experiencing violence, especially bullying and peer victimization.  I'm happy you're all here and hope you have a great year!