Department of Social Work
Message from the Chair
TStacey Shipe Department Chair
he Department of Social Work is experiencing significant growth and strategic momentum. Over the past year, we welcomed two professors at the assistant and associate levels, added two clinical lecturers, and expanded our admissions and student services team to better support students. The admissions and student services team was also expanded to enhance student support. This trajectory continued with the addition of six tenure-track faculty members, and recruitment is underway for a postdoctoral scholar.
Over the past three years, the fully online Master of Social Work (MSW) program has grown significantly. Course sections increased from two to 34, student enrollment rose from 31 to 259, and the number of instructors increased from two to 26, leading to an eightfold jump in enrollment. The department is also preparing to launch a PhD program, with recruitment scheduled for fall 2026. With a new three-year strategic plan, the department continues to prioritize program growth, recruitment, teaching, field education, and research excellence.
swadmissions@binghamton.edu
607-777-5999
@BUSocialWork
@binghamtonsocialwork
Applied research in our communities
Delivering mental health to underserved communities
Associate Professors Josh Felver and Stacey Shipe are leading an innovative implementation study to integrate Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) into community and educational settings. Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, the project assesses how MHFA can be adopted, delivered, and sustained to improve mental health support in rural and underserved communities. Implementation will begin in April 2026, with Cornell Cooperative Extension Child and Community Wellbeing partners, during which staff will receive training from Felver and Shipe. The team will evaluate organizational readiness, leadership engagement, and MHFA behaviors over time through surveys of trainees and Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) administrative staff. In fall 2026, the project will expand to a randomized
controlled trial with incoming first-year Master of Social Work students in partnership with the campus’s B-Healthy Initiative. Results from both the CCE implementation and the controlled trial will support a planned National Institutes of Health R01 submission, positioning the department as a leader in scalable, communityengaged mental health implementation research.
Assistant professor examines impact on federal benefits
Assistant Professor of Social Work Matt Borus has coauthored a report examining how the 2025 changes to the Social Security Administration (SSA), including staff reductions and administrative restructuring, have made it
more difficult for Americans to access disability benefits. Interviews with 52 client advocates, primarily legal aid workers representing more than 8,000 claimants, revealed several ways the federal benefits process has become more burdensome.
Drawing on the study’s findings, the researchers offered 10 recommendations for policymakers and advocates. These emphasize the necessity of adequate staffing, reliable access to SSA services at field offices and by telephone, and the protection of benefit access for vulnerable populations, including immigrant families.
The report was released through the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund, and an accompanying webinar is in the works.
“The new rules made it more difficult for new applicants and continuing beneficiaries. These changes are also having a disproportionate impact on people who are already marginalized — folks with unstable housing, immigrant families, people with limited internet access.” — Matt Borus
Connecting locally and beyond: One Billion Rising
The Department of Social Work’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee hosted its third annual One Billion Rising event on Feb. 13, 2026, in the University Union Mandela Room.
One Billion Rising is a global movement focused on ending violence against women and girls, including cisgender, transgender, and gender-fluid individuals who face gender-based violence.
The event included speakers, music, dance, and art to educate participants about gender-based violence, prevention strategies, and available resources. It honored survivors, celebrated their resilience, and encouraged awareness, engagement, and advocacy. Attendees were also connected to campus and local support services. While systemic change is important, events like this help raise awareness and shift attitudes about gender-based violence.
The DEI Committee is committed to expanding the movement by joining others worldwide in solidarity and collaborating with campus and local partners, including United Health Services, the Southern Tier AIDS Program, and Truth PHARM.
How field education benefits local and regional communities
Field education is at the heart of social work, shaping learning through hands-on experience. By partnering with diverse agencies, the Department of Social Work brings its commitment to life, serving a wide array of community members.
The MSW program empowers students to identify and address the needs of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, all while encouraging them to discover their passions and sharpen their skills.
TOTAL NUMBER OF HOURS ACROSS ALL THREE PROGRAMS 2024-25
BSW, MSW in person, MSW Exclusively Online:
131,151
Undergraduate hours: Graduate hours:
20,400
LOCATIONS SERVED:
New York state:
390 placements
International placements: Out-of-state placements:
110,751
Massachusetts, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Connecticut, New Jersey, Hawaii, Vermont, Maine, Pennsylvania
Ontario, Canada
Graduate Success: Top 5% in state licensure
Binghamton graduates from the Master of Social Work program are in the top 5% in state licensure rates, and that’s because faculty, such as Lecturer Brian Flynn, LCSW, are invested in student success.
For nearly two decades, Flynn, has generously volunteered his time and expertise to support the next generation of social workers. Through an intensive two-day licensure preparation course, Flynn has helped hundreds of Binghamton’s MSW graduates build the knowledge, confidence, and strategies needed to pass the LMSW and LCSW examinations. In addition to content review, students receive a focused “crash course” on social work practice concepts, exam-
taking strategies, and practical tools to manage testday anxiety. This approach has kept Binghamton among the top five programs in New York state for licensure exam pass rates.
Flynn’s commitment reflects his belief in professional readiness and equitable access to high-quality preparation. By volunteering his time, he has reduced barriers for students while strengthening the workforce that serves our communities. Donation sponsorship helps sustain and expand this initiative, ensuring future students continue to
receive support and guidance as they transition from education to professional practice. Funding this effort is an investment in competent, confident social workers and the communities they serve (see QR code on back page).
Alum brings social justice values to her work
Heather Brunick, a 2024 graduate of the Master’s in Social Work program, brought more than 10 years of experience in diverse human services roles to her studies. She says her professional and personal experiences, combined with her academic training, fostered a broad and meaningful interest in all areas of social work. Brunick is the team leader and mental health clinician for the Safe Options Support Program, which serves Chenango, Broome, and Otsego counties. In this role, she engages with individuals experiencing street homelessness, addressing their immediate
“The work we do is truly inspiring and reflects the core values of social work I learned at Binghamton—providing nonjudgmental, person-centered support and upholding the principles of social justice while demonstrating integrity and competence.” — Heather Brunick MSW ’24
needs and connecting them with service providers, shelters, and long-term housing. Although the need seems overwhelming at times, Brunick said her team remains determined to cover as much ground as possible in a shared mission of helping every person find safety, stability, and a place to call home.
