RUSSW Classes of 2020 & 2021 Graduation Celebration

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

GRADUATION CELEBRATION October 22, 2021 10:00 a.m.

ORDER OF EXERCISES FACULTY PROCESSION

Rutgers School of Social Work Faculty

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Erica Goldblatt Hyatt, M.S.W., M.B.E., D.S.W. Associate Teaching Professor and Assistant Director of the D.S.W. Program

DEAN’S GREETING

Cathryn C. Potter, M.S.W., Ph.D. Dean and Distinguished Professor

CHANCELLOR-PROVOST’S WELCOME

Francine Conway, Ph.D. Chancellor-Provost, Rutgers University– New Brunswick

FACULTY SPEECH

V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Teaching, Director of the Baccalaureate Program

ALUMNI SPEECH

Nicole G. Epps, M.S.W., M.B.A.

PRESENTATION OF ALUMNI

Allison Zippay, M.S.W, Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Doctoral Program (Ph.D.) Erica Goldblatt Hyatt, M.S.W., M.B.E., D.S.W. Patricia A. Findley, M.S.W., Dr.P.H. Professor, Director of the Master of Social Work Program, and Special Assistant to the Dean for Interprofessional Health Initiatives Arlene M. Hunter, M.A. (M.S.W. Reader) Assistant Dean for Student Affairs V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D.

PERFORMANCE

Paul Lewis President, Rutgers Verbal Mayhem

FINAL COMMENTS

Cathryn C. Potter, M.S.W., Ph.D.

DSW ATTENDEES Emily Buchenhorst Christine Caporuscio Mariama Diallo Deborah Dumont Dunia Garcia Helena Lewis Karie McGuire

Asa Paris Jennifer Polizotto Edith Slater Lauren Snedeker Jamie Wasserman Kelly Zinn MSW ATTENDEES

Krystal Aguayo Cartagena Sheribel Aguilar Mirela Ahmic Julianna Alleva Santiago Almeida-Dantaz Mariella Andrade Grace Ardila Payal Arora Marlly Ayerdis Brianna Bacchetta Reham Bader Ann Baker Shari Barger Katie Barnhart Joseph Bastian Margaret Bauer Dania Bautista Allison Benites Natalie Berrette Brandi Blackshear Katrina Blaise-Schlossberg Wanda Blount Takiya S. Boyette Shanda Brown Jakia Brown Aaliyah Brown Tiana Brown-Miller Elisa Buono Laura Burgos Marygrace Burke Rafaela Cabassa Nikaela Calero Karina Calixto Jaclyn Camporeale Mardelis Campos Alejandra Carbajal Rodrigo Cardenas Yanira Carrion Michelle Carter Madeline Cassano

Jennyfer Castillo Sandra Catinello Stephanie Cedeno Parnika Celly Tyniesha Chambers Candecia Clarke Heather Clawson Tzippy Cohen Hailee Collier Ny'Yah Cornick Vincent Covelli Tara Cowherd Erin Croce Jessenia Cruz Stephanie Cruz Alvarez Nathalie Cuadros Ashlee Culver Althea Cummings Jamie Dalzell Amanda Decanio Marygrace Decotiis Jodiann Dennis Kris Diaz Brianna Doerflein Nilandes Dorvil Bianca Dossous Marisa Douglas Ana Dumic Najja Edwards Jason Emge Nicole Epps Bracha Feldheim Angelica Ferreira Paige Fisk Rachel Flint Alexandra Flores Victor Flores-Lopez Faith Freedman Katie Fucito Kristine Galan

Mary Galetta Mellika George Chaya Gersten Chana Getter Aaliyah Gill Amy Gillen Laurie Ginn-Cuttino Onesha Givens Charlene Gomez Jenny Gonzales Luisa Gonzalez Cecilia Gonzalez Khalia Goodwin Julia Gormley Destiny Grant Erica Green Elijah Greene Tyler Greene Elvis Guiracocha Cynthia Gutierrez Daniel Guzman Fatima Habehh Lauren Halecki Noor Hamdan Paulakay Harding Kenyell Hardy Ivory Hargrove Ana Heredia-Deleon Jason Hernandez Jessica Hernandez Emerith Hernandez Cortes Pamela Herrera Christiana Hicks Kaitlyn Hill Nakeisha Hills Narine Hovhannisyan Rosalee Howard Simra Irfan Yvette Israel Kristina Isshak Nygeria Jackson Sara Jadwinski Alyssa Jeffers Rose Jensen Natalie Joefield Delores Johnson Brianna Jones Denise Jones-Holland Arlene Joseph Marie Myvline Jules Tori Julious Michael Kahn

Daniel Kaingu Brooke Kaire Kelly Karbasian Carly Krupat Alexandra Kyllonen Nancy Laboy Gregory Langan Meredith Lawson Eva Lesher Leslie-Anne Letso Marc Limata Jacqueline Lopez Lobitta Lughas Margaret Maghan Kathleen Margeotes Sharlyne Marte Jacqueline Martinez Rayan Mashal Anna Mayerfeld Jennie Mccormick Aeisha Mcleod-Robinson Yeselyn Melendez Krista Merola Michael Milizzo Gabriela Minchala Rachel Ming-Vines Octavia Minter Yipsi Molina Kimberly Mondoro Justin Montefusco Britanie Montero Vanessa Montero Miriam Montufar Zakiyyah Moore Lindsay Mosaky Nancy Mount Khadijah Muhammad Deena Mustafa Jennifer Naranjo Andrea Nasuti Elizabeth O'Donnell Grace Ofori Attah Ruby Ofori-Arthur Josephine Ojo Shirley Pajuelo De La Cruz Kaylee Pao Katelynn Patronick Tavonja Patterson Rebecca Pich Berlande Pierre Deashia Pigatt Sonia Planas

Alexa Polo Tanya Ponce Tatiana Portalatin Joanna Price Natalie Pryor Natalie Puente Khalilah Rainey Olga Ramales-Perez Maria Ramos Nimisha Rana Nicole Ranero Anne Raulerson Darrell Real Tiffany Reeves Michelle Reyes-Vasquez Kierra Richardson India Ridley Erica Risser Shydaia Robinson Regina Robinson Ana Rodrigues Erik Rodriguez Madelyn Rodriguez Lakina Rollins Jeffrey Romano Tannya Rosas Margaret Rynn Karima Saidhatimi Olalekan Salami Christopher Salazar Gabrielle Salvatore Natalia Sanchez Valerie Santana Steven Santangelo Juan Santiago Nakiya Santos Dianne Santos Jennifer Sbarro Kathrine Schumacher Deborah Scott Delia Seles Rebecca Seman Sonya Serrano-Soto Sento Sesay Jennifer Sevilla Lisa Shackleford Tracy Sherman Melissa Shermer

Kyonghui Janice Shin Shanee Shumate Melanie Siegel Coral Silfa Aja Simmons Brittany Sjaastad Jessica Smith Maria Snyder Sylvie St Pierre Dameon Stackhouse Marissa Stellwag Francesca Stewart Shy'Anna Still Mahogany Summers Maria Tapia Avila Noni Taylor Fanny Terrones John Santiago Toro Jalisa Tucker Sharon Tufino-Llerena Julia Tursi Alison Urban Marcos Urrutia Nicolette Vasco John Vasquez Danielle Verde Noelia Vicente Judy Vieruel Catherine Vigliotti Pamela Villacis Alison Ward Nicolette Wescott Natashia Weston Nicole White Jamillah Williams Maxine Williams Miguel Williams Stephanie Willoughby Zikea Wise-Hughes Sin Yee Wong Jasmine Woodyard Sarah Wright Crystal Wynn Kyle Yancius Kwadwo Yeboah Alaysha Youmans Samantha Zegarra Ghalia Zelfo

BASW ATTENDEES Stephanie Gil Bethany Holder Bryana Martinez Alyssa Miller Zenaida Rosario

Gianna Santoro Danielle Shanskhalil Danielle Shapiro Gyssell Valentin

ABOUT OUR ALUMNI SPEAKER

Nicole G. Epps, SSW’21 Winner of the 2021 Outstanding MSW Student in the Blended Program Award Nicole G. Epps is the Executive Director of the World Childhood Foundation USA (Childhood USA) after working for five years as its Managing Director of Programs and Policy. Epps has been a nonprofit leader in the anti-trafficking and street-affected, vulnerable youth population, both domestically and internationally. Epps pursued her MSW at Rutgers School of Social Work to expand her knowledge base of programming, clinical work with at-risk adolescents, and to develop solutions to end child sexual abuse and exploitation on and offline. She earned her degree with a certificate in Promoting Child & Adolescent Well-Being.

Epps is the President-elect of the National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. She has been appointed to the New Jersey Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect and chairs the Outreach and Engagement Committee. She is also a member of APSAC’s Public Policy Committee, RAINN’s National Leadership Council, and the University of Pennsylvania’s James Brister Society. Additionally, she serves in an advisory role for Stop it Now!, Gallop NYC, and Visions and Pathways.

Epps is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where she earned her BA in political science and international relations. She received her MBA in management and marketing from the University of Georgia, Terry School of Business. She also studied international law, economics and organization at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

ABOUT OUR PERFORMER Paul Lewis is a transfer psychology student from San Jose, California. He has been interested in music and poetry from an early age and sees them as an outlet for creative expression and communication. Additionally, Paul is this year’s president of Verbal Mayhem, a poetry and music club at Rutgers dedicated to providing a safe space for artists, creatives, and all walks of people.

FACULTY Ayse Akincigil, M.A., Ph.D. Associate Professor Edward J. Alessi, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor and Chancellor’s Scholar of LGBTQ Mental Health, Trauma, and Resilience Mary Beth Ali, M.S.W. Teaching Instructor and Coordinator of Field Education Vivien (Wen Li) Anthony, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Elsa Candelario, M.S. Professor of Professional Practice and Director of the Latina/o/x Initiatives for Service, Training, and Assessment MSW Certificate Program Carol Cassidy, M.A. Teaching Instructor and D.S.W. Multi-Media Writing Program Charles Chear, M.S.W. Teaching Instructor, Assistant Director of Student Affairs, and Newark Campus Coordinator

Victoria Banyard, M.A., Ph.D. Professor, Associate Dean for Faculty Development, and Associate Director of the Center on Violence Against Women and Children

Stephen Crystal, M.A., Ph.D. Distinguished Research Professor

V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Teaching and Director of the Baccalaureate Program

Laura Curran, M.S.W., Ph.D. Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor

Douglas Behan, D.S.W. Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Director of Continuing Education Natalie Bembry, M.S.W., M.A., Ed.D. Assistant Professor of Teaching, Assistant Director of Student Affairs, and Camden Campus Coordinator Mariann Bischoff, M.S., M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Teaching and Management and Policy Field Specialist Marla Blunt-Carter, M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Professional Practice Emily Adlin Bosk, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Qiana L. Brown, M.S.W., M.P.H., Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Laura Cuesta, M.A., Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Maxine Davis, M.S.W., M.B.A., Ph.D. Assistant Professor and Chancellor’s Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Intimate Partner Violence Prevention & Intervention Rebecca T. Davis, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Professional Practice and Director, Office of Global Social Work Programs Ericka Deglau, M.S.W., Ph.D. Professor of Teaching and Director of the Intensive Weekend Program Marian Diksies, M.A., M.S.W. Associate Professor of Teaching and Director of Student Affairs Ryan DiMeglio, M.S.W. Teaching Instructor and Program Coordinator for the Addiction Counselor Training Certificate Program

Jacquelynn Duron, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Myungkook Joo, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor

Richard L. Edwards, M.S.W., Ph.D. Distinguished Professor and Chancellor Emeritus, Rutgers – New Brunswick

Woojin Jung, M.S.W., M.P.P, Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Antoinette Y. Farmer, M.S., Ph.D. Professor and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Patricia A. Findley, M.S.W., Dr.P.H. Professor, Director of the Master of Social Work Program, and Special Assistant to the Dean for Interprofessional Health Initiatives Jerald Floersch, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor Adrian Gale, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Erica Goldblatt Hyatt, M.S.W., M.B.E., D.S.W. Associate Teaching Professor and Acting Director of the D.S.W. Program Emily Greenfield, M.S., Ph.D. Professor Anna Haley, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor Bernardo Hiraldo, M.S.W. Teaching Instructor and Associate Director of Field Education Chien-Chung Huang, M.S.W., Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Huamin Research Center Tawanda L. Hubbard, M.S.W., D.S.W. Associate Professor of Professional Practice Samuel Jones, M.S.W., D.S.W. Assistant Dean of Part-Time Lecturer Development and Associate Professor of Teaching

Christine E. Kephart, Ph.D. Writing Instructor, D.S.W. Program Rupa Khetarpal, M.A., M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Teaching and Coordinator of the Violence Against Women and Children Certificate Program Joy (Jeounghee) Kim, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor Mark Lamar, M.S.W., M.B.A. Associate Professor of Professional Practice and Executive Director of Field Education Michael C. LaSala, M.S.W., Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Doctorate of Social Work (D.S.W.) Program Jamey Lister, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Eric Lock, M.A. Associate Professor of Teaching Jeffrey L. Longhofer, M.A., M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor Raymond Sanchez Mayers, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor Judith L. McCoyd, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor

Sarah McMahon, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor, Director of the Center on Violence Against Women and Children, and Chancellor's Scholar for Violence Prevention Christine Morales, M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Teaching Cory Morton, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Research Professor Felix Muchomba, M.P.H., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Shari Munch, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor Lenna Nepomnyaschy, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor Lia Nower, J.D., Ph.D. Professor, Director of the Center for Gambling Studies, and Director of the Addiction Counselor Training Certificate Program Margaret O’Donoghue, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Program Coordinator for the Certificate on Child Well-Being Program N. Andrew Peterson, M.A., Ph.D. Professor, Associate Dean for Research, Director of the Center for Prevention Science, and Co-Director of the Northeast & Caribbean Prevention Technology Transfer Center Sara Plummer, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Teaching and Assistant Director of the Baccalaureate Program Cathryn C. Potter, M.S.W., Ph.D. Dean and Distinguished Professor Kathleen J. Pottick, M.S.W., M.A., Ph.D. Professor

Kristen Gilmore Powell, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Research Professor, Associate Director of the Center for Prevention Science and Director of the Northeast & Caribbean Prevention Technology Transfer Center Gabriel Robles, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor and Chancellor’s Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Sexual and Gender Minority Health Chiara Sabina, M.A., Ph.D. Associate Professor and Chancellor’s Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Interpersonal Violence Research Nancy Schley, M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Teaching and Associate Director of Field Education Rachel Schwartz, M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Teaching and Assistant Dean of Innovative Learning Technologies Gina L. Sharpe, M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Teaching and Assistant Director of Continuing Education Cassandra Simmel, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor and Director of the MSW Certificate in Promoting Child and Adolescent Well-Being Program Karun K. Singh, M.S.W., Ph.D. Professor of Teaching Lauren Snedeker, M.S.W., D.S.W Assistant Professor of Teaching and Coordinator for the Aging and Health Certificate Program Jackie F. Stanmyre, M.S.W. Assistant Director of the Center for Gambling Studies

Amy Strickler, M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Teaching and Assistant Director of the Intensive Weekend Program

Mark van der Maas, M.A., Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Hannah Szlyk, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Abigail Williams-Butler, M.S., M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Trinay V. Thomas, M.S.W. Teaching Instructor and Associate Director of Field Education

Allison Zippay, M.S.W, Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)

Emmy Tiderington, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor

Karen A. Zurlo, M.B.A., M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS Cathryn C. Potter, M.S.W., Ph.D. Dean Laura Curran, M.S.W., Ph.D. Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Antoinette Y. Farmer, M.S., Ph.D. Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Victoria Banyard, M.A., Ph.D. Associate Dean for Faculty Development N. Andrew Peterson, M.A., Ph.D. Associate Dean for Research and Director, Center for Prevention Science Sharon A. Fortin, M.H.R.M. Associate Dean for Administration and Finance Arlene M. Hunter, M.A. Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Samuel Jones, M.S.W., D.S.W. Assistant Dean of Part-Time Lecturer Development Laura A. DiMarcantonio, M.Ed. Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment Rachel Schwartz, M.S.W. Assistant Dean, Innovative Learning Technologies Allison Zippay, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, Ph.D. Program Michael LaSala, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, D.S.W. Program Patricia A. Findley, M.S.W., Dr.P.H. Director, Master of Social Work Program

V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D. Director, Baccalaureate Social Work Program Mark Lamar, M.S.W., M.B.A. Executive Director of Field Education Theresa McCutcheon, M.S.W. Managing Director, Institute for Families Lia Nower, Ph.D., J.D. Director, Center for Gambling Studies Rebecca Davis, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, Office of Global Social Work Programs Sarah McMahon, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, Center on Violence Against Women and Children Chien-Chung Huang, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, Huamin Research Center Ericka Deglau, M.S.W., Ph.D Director, Intensive Weekend Program Marian Diksies, M.A., M.S.W. Director, Student Affairs Erin Capone, M.S.W. Director of Development Samantha Michaele, B.A. Director of Business Services Tibor Purger, M.A., M.S. Director of Information Technology Laurie Zazenski, M.A. Director of Communications

HISTORY AND MISSION OF THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

Established in 1954, the School of Social Work at Rutgers has a distinguished record of instruction, research, and public service. Classes were first offered during the Depression to meet the state’s need for social workers.

Today, the School offers undergraduate and graduate professional degree programs, serving the Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick campuses, and is affiliated with more than 800 social service agencies throughout the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area. The School offers joint degrees with the Rutgers Law School, Rutgers School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers School of Public Health, Rutgers Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, and Princeton Theological Seminary.

The School’s mission is to develop and disseminate knowledge through social work research, education, and training that promotes social and economic justice and strengthens individual, family, and community well-being in this diverse and increasingly global environment of New Jersey and beyond.

Special attention is given to the development of educational programs and community partnerships that respect and enhance the rich diversity of the population of New Jersey. This includes concern about the poor, the oppressed, those vulnerable to discrimination or injustice, and other at-risk groups.

In 2018, the accreditation of the School of Social Work was reaffirmed through the year 2026.

THE ACADEMIC REGALIA The wearing of academic garb dates back to the early days of the oldest universities in the world. In the American Council on Education’s book entitled American Universities and Colleges, it is suggested that “Gowns may have been counted necessary for warmth in the unheated buildings frequented by medieval scholars. Hoods seem to have served to cover the tonsured head….”

Throughout the years, European universities have continued to show great diversity in their academic dress. American universities, on the other hand, when they decided to adopt academic dress, immediately established a code of regulations that today is followed by almost all American institutions. The establishment of this code has made it possible to distinguish the bachelors, masters, and doctors and, at the same time, recognize the university that has given them the degree.

Gowns: The bachelor’s gown has pointed sleeves and is worn closed. The master’s gown, worn open or closed, has oblong sleeves, the front part of which frequently is cut away at the elbow. The doctor’s gown has bell-shaped sleeves. It is worn open or closed. Cotton poplin or similar materials is used for the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and rayon or silk ribbed material is used for the doctor’s degree.

At Rutgers, members of the Board of Governors and Board of Trustees, as well as those who hold a doctoral degree from the university, wear the Rutgers gown, which is scarlet with black velvet front panels framed on the outer edge with gold cord braid. The velvet panels are embroidered with a crown and the year 1766 at the neck, signifying the university’s founding as one of the original colonial colleges under King George III of England.

Hoods: The hoods vary in size: 48 inches for the doctor’s degree, 42 inches for the master’s, and 36 inches for the bachelor’s. All hoods are lined in silk in the academic color or colors of the institution conferring the degree. If the institution has more than one color, the colors are shown in divisions using chevrons. The binding or edge of the hood is usually made of velvet in the color designating the subject in which the degree was granted.

Below is a list of some of the faculty colors as prescribed by the Intercollegiate Code for the binding of the hood: Agriculture / Maize Arts, Letters, Humanities / White

Law / Purple Library Service / Lemon

Business Administration, Commerce / Drab City and Regional Planning / Brown

Medicine / Green Music / Pink

Communication and Information Studies / Gray

Nursing / Apricot Oratory-Speech / Silver Gray

Economics / Copper Education / Light Blue Engineering / Orange

Pharmacy / Olive Green Philosophy / Blue Physical Education / Sage Green

Fine Arts, Architecture / Brown Human Resources Management / Dusk

Public Administration / Peacock Blue Science / Golden Yellow

Journalism / Dark Crimson Labor and Employment Relations / Peacock Blue

Social Work / Citron Theology and Divinity / Scarlet

The color or colors of the lining of the hood for the nine colonial colleges are: scarlet, Rutgers; crimson, Harvard; green-gold-silver, William and Mary; blue, Yale; red-blue, Pennsylvania; orange-black, Princeton; light blue-white, Columbia; brown, Brown; and green-white, Dartmouth.

Caps: Black mortarboards or soft hats are worn for all degrees. The gold tassel signifies a doctoral degree.

Scarlet Forever Congratulations! You are now an official member of Rutgers School of Social Work's alumni community, a group of over 17,000 social work professionals living across the globe. We invite you to explore the opportunities available to you as you start your life-long connection with the School and a few ways to make the most of your alumni benefits.

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Update your contact information at alumni.rutgers.edu/update View available job postings and career support at socialwork.rutgers.edu/alumni/employment Take part in our endowed lecture series to earn free CEUs, or attend alumni conversations happening throughout the year. The next Blanche Grosswald Memorial Endowed Lecture is scheduled for Tuesday, 11/9/21 at 12pm EST Connect as a mentee or mentor via Rutgers Student-Alumni Career Connect at careerconnect.rutgers.edu Enroll in a virtual continuing education class to earn your professional CEUs by visiting ssw-web.rutgers.edu/ssw/ce Follow @RutgersSSW on social and join the conversation at #RutgersSSW