SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK 2021 CONVOCATION
Virtual Convocation May 17, 2021 2:00 p.m.
ORDER OF EXERCISES
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Michael LaSala, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, D.S.W. Program and Associate Professor
DEAN’S GREETING
Cathryn C. Potter, M.S.W., Ph.D. Dean and Distinguished Professor
FACULTY AND STAFF HONORS AND AWARDS
Cathryn C. Potter, M.S.W., Ph.D.
STUDENT SPEAKER
Marleina Ubel M.S.W. Class of 2021
PH.D. DISSERTATION AWARD
Allison Zippay, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, Ph.D. Program and Professor
PRESENTATION OF PH.D. DEGREE CANDIDATES
Allison Zippay, M.S.W., Ph.D.
PRESENTATION OF D.S.W. DEGREE CANDIDATES
Michael LaSala, M.S.W., Ph.D.
M.S.W. AWARDS
Laura Curran, M.S.W., Ph.D. Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor
PRESENTATION OF M.S.W. DEGREE CANDIDATES
Mark Lamar, M.S.W., M.B.A. Executive Director, Field Education
B.A.S.W. AWARDS
V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D. Director, Baccalaureate Social Work Program and Associate Professor of Teaching
PRESENTATION OF B.A.S.W. DEGREE CANDIDATES
V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D.
CONVOCATION READER
Arlene M. Hunter, M.A. Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
CONVOCATION SPEAKER
Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester Delaware U.S. House of Representatives
VOCALIST
Christiana Danielle M.S.W. Class of 2020
FINAL COMMENTS
Cathryn C. Potter, M.S.W., Ph.D.
PH.D. GRADUATES
May 2021 JORDAN JANGER STEINER Dissertation Chair: Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW Dissertation Title: The Relationship Between Sexual Violence and Mental Distress for Female Adolescents and Young Women in Malawi.
May 2021 YUQI WANG Dissertation Chair: N. Andrew Peterson, M.A., Ph.D. Dissertation Title: Neighborhood effects on social isolation and loneliness among community-dwelling older adults.
October 2021 HSIU-FEN LIN Dissertation Chair: Dr. Judy Postmus, Ph.D. Dissertation Title: Female survivors of intimate partner violence: Financial strain, depression, and financial education intervention.
2021 D.S.W. GRADUATES Jennifer M. Agostino Allison Celeste Bates Melissa L. Campbell Micaela Baxter Costa Mariama Diallo Alexandra Manya Farisou Taji S. Karim-Reisch Kira O'Brien Katherine Eleanor Protos Tara Lynn Ryan-DeDominicis Sherri L. Wilson
2021 M.S.W. GRADUATES Alaa Yousef A Abbadi * Kia Abdus-Sabur ** Carolina Nicole Acevedo Kelly Nicole Ackerman ** Paige Elizabeth Agnello * Sheribel Aguilar * Mirela Ahmic * Michael Rafael Alcantara Santiago Manuel Almeida-Dantaz Jackeline Alejandra Altamirano Jennifer K. Amsden * Cynthia Chisom Amuruotu Sabiha Anam Ashley Brooke Anderson Kristyn Colette Anderson * Tammy Roshell Andrade Kristin Angiuoli ** Moshood Olaitan Animasahun Alexander Antonio Elizabeth Helen Antonowicz Olivia Adaugo Anusionwu Onyekachi Joy Anyanwu Chrissy Apicella ** Jennifer Amy Arey * Payal D. Arora Ricki Nell Arvesen Wilfred O. Asamoah Patricia Lynn Avelino ** Sandra Balbina Avellan Joy Awadalla Marlly Tamara Ayerdis Danielle Catherine Bachant * Melissa Marie Baculis Ann Verona Baker Hunter Banks Najeya Jasmien Banks Alexandra C. Barazotti Erica Jhoanna Barbosa Caroline Barcia Katie Barnhart ** Alyssa H. Barry Lori A. Barry Melissa Dapali Barua Holly Carol Bassler * Joseph Mark Bastian
Cinthia Carmen Batista Hope Lorraine Bauer ** Rivka Baum * Dania Maria Bautista Semetrius Lynn Baxter Kathryn Lida Marie Bednarsky Arielle Loren Bello ** Kristen Concetta Bello Michelle Carolina Beltran Katherine A. Benavides Allison Benites Jessica Lee Bergbauer Molly Caryn Berger Natalie Berrette Michelle Bivas Katrina Marie Blaise-Schlossberg Renée Jamila Blanco Wanda Gidget Blount Margaret Francine Bolanos Florence A. Bonfigli Kathyna Bonheur Kelsey Borden Deneé Bottoms Pierce Hudson Bourget Jennifer Lauren Bowens ** Shadasia Janae Bracey Anna Loucinda Bradley Sonia LaVonne Bradley ** Chana T. Brauser Anne Elizabeth Higgins Breedlove Rachel Antonette Breger Faniva Ivana Brieva Catherine A. Briggs Briana Brito Danielle S. Brotherton Aaliyah Bobbie Brown Katherine Anne Brown ** Nishie D. Brown Allyson Denise Browning Kendle Noelle Bryan Cassidy Buchanan Alisha Chenelle Bullock Dominique Jaleh Bullock Elisa Cecilia Buono Sara Gail Burgard
MaryGrace Burke Brickell Leigh Burlington * Michelle Marie Burwell Marcus Vinicius Buzack Eric Cabrera * Corisha D. Caddle Samie Paola Cadet Gabrielle Jaye Callaway Alexandra Lea Campos ** Stephanie Mae Cañete Alexis Nicole Cantrell Colleen Canyon Andrew Cao Daniella Capone Gabrielle Caprara Alejandra Carbajal Rodrigo Cardenas Jr. Kimberly Chaves Carneiro Yanira Noelia Carrion Michelle Marie Carter Niasia Carter * Mariuche Casole Madeline Kim Cassano Maeve Frances Cassidy Diana Marcela Castaneda Jennyfer Paola Castillo * Donna Marie Cavicchio * Stephanie Georgina Cedeño Parnika Celly Alexander David Cerbone Maria Soledad Cerna * Alexandra Nicole Charletta Barbara Lotte Chase Sarah Hassan Chebly ** Brianna Cheringal Maritza Chero Jennifer Chewning ** Allison Chiappisi Doreen E. Chila-Jones Caitlin Ciaccio Soto * Lisa Marie Cieplechowicz ** Molly Margaret Clark Dylan Michael Cleary Isabel Martins Clemente Elizabeth Grace Cochran Brenda Elizabeth Codallos-Tepepa Edyth Codiot ** Emily Michelle Cohen ** Rachel Taylor Cohen
Tzippy Cohen Kathleen Coleman Hailee Ashton Collier Emilie Anne Collins Shalisha Jaque Cook Shannon Kathleen Coon Laura Christine Coppola * Vincent Joseph Covelli Elizabeth Alexandria Cozanitis * Raqia Latifa Crawley Christina Crenny Erin Nicole Croce Stephanie Carolina Cruz Alvarez Stephanie Cruz Daly * Nathalie Cuadros Leidy Cuas * Leah Hines Cunningham Colette Stella Curry Nicole Cyr Cailey Heather Dahl Heta Dalal Sarah T. D'Alessio Jamie C. Dalzell * Michael Robert D'Angelo * Sonya Beth Davis * Patrice Rose DeBonis-Perrotta * Amanda Nicole DeCanio MaryGrace DeCotiis * Angela Rose DeCristofano Tessa A. DeGennaro Kristin L DellaVecchia Jodiann Akeilah Dennis Jesse Denniston-Lee Abigail Rose DeSilva Jillian Leigh DiAmicis Kris Michelle Diaz Mateo Diaz Sandra N. Dickson Shanika Ann Dixon-Glaze Ciera Frances Dobson Brianna Marie Doerflein Joane Doliscat Nilandes S. Dorvil Bianca Dossous * Madeleine G. Doubet Badjo Doris Droubli * Tanisha Joanne Drysdale Mariah J. Duphiney Carli Jean Edling
Franchester Edwards Eghosa A. Ekenezar Stayla Brooke Elacqua Sonia Rose Elefante * Jessica Rae Elsaesser Jason Michael Emge Genesis Altagracia Encarnacion Chidimma Michelle Enekebe Takiyak Toure Epps Karolyn Estevez Sherry Leanne Euvin Colleen Evans ** Anna Lee Falisiewicz Laurie Jane Feingold Bracha Feldheim Carolyn Fenton Faith Nicole Ferber Colleen Ferenchak Isabel C. Fernandes Angelica Ferreira Lucia Field Natalie Paige Fisher Paige Morgan Fisk Yael Flam Rachel Flint Krista L. Forni ** Nekhena Tracia Fortson Susan Claire Franco Madeline Rose Frankel Sarah Ann Fraser ** Marissa Nicole Frasso Lisa Anne Freidenrich Christopher Ryan Frye Katie Michelle Fucito Alexis Garcia Evelyn Paz Garcia ** Caroline Jane Garretson Allison Mary Gaydos Lellah Gbahn * Semhar A. Gebregzabher Emily Warfield Genetta Mellika Tatehanna George * Chaya Leah Gersten Lindsay Sheryl Gibbons Qua'Nasia La'Bree Gibli Jacqueline Rose Gies ** Aaliyah Chantal Gill Laurie Nicole Ginn-Cuttino Onesha Marie Givens
Roberto Alexander Gomes Anna I. Gomez Natalia Gomez Daniel Gonzalez ** Luisa Gonzalez Madeline Grace Gonzalez Stephany Daisy Gonzalez Chana M. Goode * Ingrid Gooden Khalia Celeste Goodwin Jessica Brooke Gorman ** Julia Ann Gormley Stephanie Michelle Gould Destiny Grant Elijah Lee Greene Tyler Alize Greene Lisa Alexandra Greenstein Matthew J. Grimes Veronica Guardado Shantelle Joy Guinto Elvis J. Guiracocha Katharine Andrews Gullo * Samantha Gurth Cintia Vanessa Gutierrez Angeline Guzman Fatima Habehh Colleen Marie Habick Lauren N. Halecki Julian Sasrawan Halim Sharon Hall-Frey * Tabitha Ann Handelong * Olivia Catherine Hann Kaitlyn Mary Hanson Ivory Trenee' Hargrove Maureen Danielle Harkins Donita Iona Harmon * Bion P. Harrigan * William James Harrison Toya Nichole Harrity Carter William Heerema Avery Heimann Kyeatta Nailah Hendricks Maribi Henriquez ** Kiara A. Henry Ana Rosa Heredia-Deleon Morgan Cheyenne Herman Alexandra Ashley Hernandez * Annabel Juri Hernandez Jason Hernandez **
Johanna Guadalupe Hernandez ** Melissa Hernandez Pamela Vanessa Herrera Allyson Lee Herron Rivka Herson Erin L. Hertrich Alexandra Lili Hicks Kaitlyn Marie Hill Nakeisha Bernadette Hills Joletta Rose Hostetter Amy Howard ** Rosalee Lashanta Howard Blaire Kathleen Howell Anita Hua Ashley Brianna Huggins Theodora L. Hunter ** Christine Hurst Lilian E. Ibiang Erin Patricia Ihnken Juana I. Inurritegui Jennifer Ann Irving Joanne Catherine Israel Yvette Sue Israel Kristina S. Isshak Ashley Kristin Jackson Chanel Jackson Nygeria Jackson Yehudis Jacobowitz * Adam Joseph Jadick Sara Marie Jadwinski Simone Alexandra Jarvis Leah Megan Jayne Alyssa Johanna Jeffers Timisha M. Johnson Tracey A. Johnson Gavin Michael Jones Laquanda Sheneen Jones Leslie Jones Arlene N. Joseph * Marie Myvline Jules Tori Nichelle Julious Michael Kahn Brooke Kaire Michael William Kaiteris Martisha Lynn Kanard-Dwyer Eman Kandil Ani Kaneva Jinal Kiran Kapadia Ava Lauren Kaplan
Raziya Karriem Melanie Frances Katwaroo Jamie Lyn Katzenberger Sarah Keir Megan May Kelly Melony Kessel ** Eman Khalil * Andrew Hyunjoong Kim Josephine Kim Robert William Kimpson ** Caroline Kircher Lori M. Kitun Leah Klein Erin Morgan Knopple Alexis Elizabeth Koerner ** Marissa Rose Kohn Amanda Rose Kolacy Samantha Natalie Kolavitch Aleksandra Kordal Kelsey L. Kover Charles Albert Krampner * Alexandra Kritikos Carly F. Krupat Alexandra Rose Kyllonen Nancy Lynn LaBoy Emma Nicole Laffey Gregory Martin Langan Kimberly R. Langdon ** Korin Langton Sarah Ann Larkin Dawn Lax * David Andrew Learn Daria Leddy Peter Lee Daisy Maribel Lema Kaitlyn Teresa Lenehan Dawn Marie Lenny * Lauren Amor Leonard Mae Victoria Hope Lesko * Marc Anthony Limata Jr. * Rachel Nicole Lippman * Alyssa Marie Liptak * Salvatore Matthew Lo Bue Lauren Nicole LoDolce Stephen R. Longley Lobitta Nneoma Lughas Rebecca Diane Lyons * Justin Thomas Macaluso Jenny Marie Mach
Terri Lynn Macleod Kareemah Major Rebecca Makie Makhene Amanda Leguizamon Malafaia Diana Molly Mandel ** Patricia Mangan Dean Alexander Manning Shea Alexis Mannix Leticia Maravillas ** Jennifer Marin Kriselia Marte Angienet Martinez Bebe Martinez * Jacqueline Martinez Lindsay Patricia Marx Rąyan Mashal Brittney L. Mattos ** Anna Chani Mayerfeld * Barbara S. McArdle Kelly E. McArdle Rebecca Marie McBride Sandra Jo McClain * Haley McDermott Ayanna Zakia McFarlane * Kelly Mae McGrath Aeisha L. McLeod-Robinson Richard D. McNulty Yeselyn Melendez Lisa Ann Melendy Isaac Leeds Mendelsohn * Andrea Mendez Angie G. Mendez Marie A. Mendoza Brianne Nicole Micele Lauren Elizabeth Michelfelder Michael Evan Milano D'Angelo Martino Milford Michael J. Milizzo Mackenzie Jackson Miller Mya Miller Taylor Lynn Miller Gabriela Tatiana Minchala Octavia Chambray Minter Amanda Marie Mitchell Yipsi Molina Kimberly Mondoro Justin Edward Montefusco Britanie Veronica Montero Vanessa Montero
Mariel Brooks Montgomery Miriam Montufar ** Kerry-Ann Yolanda Moore ** Zakiyyah M. Moore * Vernae Mercedes Moore-Thompson * Katherine Ann Morales Valeria Morales Genesis Moran William Moran-Berberena * José P. Moreno-Hernandez James P. Moriarity Brianna Nicole Morrell Sarah Elizabeth Mortimer Eponina Braga Moscato * Gabriela Titiana Mosqueda Nancy Lynn Mount Al Mowafy Khadijah Fatimah Muhammad Bridget Rose Muldoon Deena R. Mustafa Julianna Muya Jillian Elizabeth Myers Meaghan A. Naddeo Laura A. Nagy Melissa Hayley Najimian ** Dajana Nalvarte * Nia Cleopatra Nanton * Megan Elizabeth Napp Nina Narang Jennifer Melissa Naranjo Anya Nathanson-Tell Mayra Alexandra Naula Ivory Jaliyah Neals-Laboy Christopher David Nelson ** Estherline Josephine Nicol Melissa Norena Charlinise Normil Ericka Nicole Norris * Daniel Mcloone O'Connell Christen Dorothy Oden ** Safiyyah B. Odom Elizabeth O'Donnell Songwon Oh-Lorenzo Tracy Renee Olson ** Iyinoluwa D. Oluwatola Christine Marie Onorati Thea Lorenzo Ordoñez Gissell Ortiz Calandria Ortiz-Resende
Cristina Lee Otero Janeth Ovalles ** Vanessa Oyeneye Aida Joann Padilla Nathaly Padua Andrew Patrick Paine Carol Michelle Palacios Katya Ann Palsi Ashley Grace Parker * James Henry Parks IV Steven Matthew Parlante Chandni Maheshbhai Patel KateLynn Nell Patronick Chris-Anne Kimberly Patterson ** Tavonja L. Patterson Sara Lynn Payne ** Coacoa Yola Pearson Martha A. Pender Mallelyne Daiana Peralta Maria Graziella Peri Alan Perryman Ashleigh Persico John Ward Petrie Cara Lynn Piazza Rebecca Anne Pich DeAshia Pigatt * Ayrrin Kimberly Pincus ** Ashley Marie Pires * Yajaira A. Placencia * Alexa Monserrate Polo Tatiana Sandra Portalatin Rebecca Lynn Portela Stacey Marie Porter Payton Elizabeth Potts Joanna Price Natalie Maria Prudente * Natalie Karina Puente Elaine Qiu Juliana Marie Quense Jennesis Jailenne Quintana * Maria Fernanda Ramos Sazha Alexandra Layugan Ramos Nicole Ranero Hannah Lisa Rappaport Leah Hannah Rappaport Amber L. Rathof Anne Raulerson * Sabrina Restivo * Susan Judith Reyna *
Jessie E. Reynolds Kierra M. Richardson Anna Lee Richter Nicole Ann Riddle India L. Ridley Bianca Rose Rinaldi Kelly Ann Riordan ** Savannah Gayle Robertson * Na'Eema Ja'Via Robinson ** Nathaniel Robinson Luke Francis Roche Amanda Ivette Rodriguez ** Erik Rodriguez ** April Louise Rolls Johane Romulus Karen Ivette Rosado * Rosita Rosas Kristen Marie Rose ** Michael Rosenman Taylor Marie Ruszczyk Ann Marie Rybka ** Jessica Sabatino Karima Saidhatimi Olalekan J. Salami Christopher Alexander Salazar Oliver Lyndale Salmon Ashley Jazmine Saltos Gabrielle Christine Salvatore Wendy Elizabeth Samar * Nadia Alana Samlall Carley K. Sanders Richard M. Sandler Ada Kueilan Sang Kyra Andrea Saniewski Valerie Nicole Santana Juan Santiago Nakiya Marie Santos * Daysi Yesenia Sanz Charla Saunders ** Jennifer Sbarro Blair Elizabeth Scanlan Katherine Michelle Schaekel Morganne A. Schafle Marisa Renee Schenkel Dona Marie Schletterer ** Brittany Marie Schotter Jennifer Elizabeth Schrum Erika Nicole Sciancalepore ** Diane Scott
Chelsea Mariah Seelochan Allison B. Segerman Rebecca Anne Seman Pamela Sencion-Santos Halle Nicole Sentman Ana M. Serna Garcia Sento Sesay Jennifer Sevilla * Kyra Shargo Kristina Kaylyn Shepherd David Sher * Michaela B. Sher * Tracy Xian Sherman Melissa Lynn Shermer ** Shanee Courtney Edell Shumate Coral Silfa Jillian Anne Silverman Georgia Nadine Simms * Merna Sirag Jacquel Skinner * Rachel Sklar Taylor Suzanne Smedberg Shealynn Smiley Ashley Danielle Smith * DeAna Victoria Smith * Jennifer Smith Jessica Lindsey Smith Terrell Avery Smith * Kate Molly Snyder Maria Katherine Snyder ** Nathaniel Sobel * Sophia Sofocli Kimberly Nicole Solomon Jessica L. Somma * Alyssa Julia Somohano Jennifer Neesen Sorensen Cassie Brooke Spector Amelia Rose Spina * Amanda Marie Starcev Sean Gregory Steele Francesca Stewart Shy'Anna Still Isabelle Alva Stonier * MacKenzie Leigh Strasle * Julia Strazza Marci Stringham ** Danielle Marie Stuart ** Mona Suhail * Melissa Carol Sullivan
Monica I. Sullivan-Melara Méixïn Ŝün Lauren Marie Sysyn Maria Soledad Tapia Avila Gabriella Janay Tavarez Bianca J. Taylor Janine Kavner Territo Fanny Karim Terrones Keyonna Thompson Sadeer J. Thompson Lawrence Anthony Thornhill Latasha Eileen Toney Sherryann Torelli ** Santiago Toro Emilia C. Torres Martinez Merissa Ann Toscani Rostislav Tsirulnik ** Jalisa Veronica Tucker Julia Breen Tursi Anina Aariona Tyler Colleen Alexandra Ubl Victoria Elise Ulrich Brielle Nicole Underwood Kaitlyn Elizabeth Vacca ** Endy Valerius Nicolette Anna Vasco John A. Vasquez Danielle Verde Justin Verile Alidis Vicente * Noelia Vicente Judy Samaroo Vieruel Pamela Alexandra Villacis Monica Rose P. Villamor Michael Richard-Hardin Viscidy Erica Brege von Bleicken Alison Marie Ward Victoria Warwick Risa B. Waters ** Zaria Aignee Webb-Stewart Nicole Weis ** Ashley Anita Wertz * Christina Ashley Wharton * Alonni Laurice Whitaker Nicole M. White Corrine Stephanie Whiter Lauren Renea Whitfield Natasha Whitfield ** Sara A. Wickizer
Katrele E. Willard ** Jamillah Nicole Williams Maxine A. Williams Megan Williams Justin Dominique Winfrey Brittany C. Winters Katelyn Danielle Winters Lauren I. Wistreich Brandi L. Wituschek Harry Timothy Wollenberg Danuta Wolosz * Daniela Elizabeth Wolstenholme Jessica Marie Wolven Sara Wortham Colleen M. Worthington * David Chungshiu Wu Crystal Shantel Wynn
Caitlin Aria Wynne Kyle Haag Yancius Kwadwo Yeboah Ella Keats Yenigun Alaysha Hershelle Youmans Nicholas Kristopher Young Alexandra Zaki * Jacqueline Marie Zausner Joshua Stewart Zeeman Samantha Denise Zegarra Christine Marie Zeimetz Ryan A. Zeitz Ghalia Zelfo Katherine Elizabeth Zero Jessica Minsky Zweiman ** Kristina Alyssa Zwingli * August 2020 graduate ** January 2021 graduate Candidate list is correct as of May 5, 2021.
M.S.W. STUDENTS WITHIN 9 CREDITS OF DEGREE COMPLETION Jackie Abdou Karen Adrada Jonathan Agosto Julie Anthony Jessica Bannister Melissa Barry Julia Barton Sara Benjamin Rachelle Bertholf Matthew Boone Maria Boudreaux Kevin Broderick Tiana Brown-Miller Laura Burgos Nikaela Calero Lauren Caporoso Amanda Carrillo Tyniesha Chambers Joselyn Chavez Samantha Cirlincione Jacquelin Claren Clara Cogollos Nicole Costello
Michelle Dasilva-Boland Caroline Dato Anastasia DeBough Gitty Dickstein Marisa Douglas Daniel Dynes Cresta Ebenstein Rob Enderlin Katherine Epps Nicole Epps Joseph Ferrara Micaela Finnegan Alaina Friend Laura Gallaher Carina Garcia Kirstin Gelmi Charlene Gomez Erica Green Hadassah Gross Daniel Guzman Julie Harris Nadica Hegedus Jessica Hernandez
Paola Hernandez Ashley Holmes Caroline Hubschman Kiymara Hunter-Edwards Rashawn Jarido Arthur Johnson Latia Jones Naomie Josephs Raquel Kantor Christina Kapur Katherine Kehoe Shane King Rochel Klugman Medha Kudaisya Nathalie Laurent Meredith Lawson Suzanne Lehrer Angela Lindner Julianna Luksa Samantha Lyon Margaret Maghan Daniel Marain Sydnie McDonald Heather McEwen Jennifer McKnight Jena Meck Kayla Meehan Maria Montenegro Maria Mora Bryan Morgan Lindsay Mosaky Andrea Nasuti Kristin Nielsen Patricia Noel Sara O' Kane Morgan Opperman Shirley Pajuelo De La Cruz Eunice Park Michelle Paxton
Samantha Perkins Kayla Perry Sadia Phillips Khizran Pirmohamed Ashley Pratt Lauren Quimby Madison Raes Olga Ramales-Perez Neha Rauf Cathy Reilly Erica Risser Brittany Rivera Dorothy Robinson Jeffrey Romano Heather Roselan Max Rosenheck Mariam Salih Dianne Santos Nicole Scheller Deborah Scott Christopher Sexton Dallie Shell Ryan Smedburg Cameron Smith Linda Smith Nechama Sochet Shelby Somers Gabriel Soriano Marissa Stellwag Lorraine Strang Mahogany Summers Amanda Swatko Michelle Taylor Marleina Ubel Jessica Urrutia Paul Van Blake Catherine Vigliotti Sierra Walker Aidel Weitman Chylanda Williams
2021 B.A.S.W. GRADUATES Camden Campus Kaylen Alessi Julia Belmonte Milsy Beltre Samera Bishop Kiara Bland Marysol Bowman Zoe Brady Fahimah Brown Alicia Burns Geana Carr Kathleen Carter Beyonce Carty Tricia Colon-Santiago Ashley Conlow Iesha Cook ** Robert Demarco Corey Desilva-Brown Joahn Desrosiers Natalie Disandro Courtney Eckstadt Justin Eldridge Courtney Fagans Amanda Fawzy Jessica Formato Keyla Galvez Jennifer Geisz Madison Gillespie Allison Gregory Noah Gregory Nicole Henson Tonya E. Hernandez * Alexander Iffland Nicole Jones Ulema Jones Keith Kanauss*** Marcus Kennedy Chanel King * Amos Koffa Aniyah Lewis-Williams Maya Lipscomb
Monica Magner Zyaira Marshall Bryana Martinez Dawne Mattson-Diprimio Desiree McBall Matthew Mccormick Kristen McFadden Kerrion E. McKnight * Bridger S. Metz * Nahema Moore Elizabeth Morales Shannon Moran Kylie Mosher Jordan Mulvey Zaynah Northan Madeline Oquendo * Taralynn Peak Alyssa Perry Kaitlyn Piotrowski Karina Ramirez Alexis Ramos Mackenzi Reilly Liliana Rivera Diane Russell Tyrell Russell Diana Sanders Nafesa Searles Sabrina Shahdin Shavon Singleton Shannon Taylor Melissa Till Andrea Tobar Doan Tran ** Taryn Ulmer Ruben Wilmer Sarah Wilson Shanell Wilson Gabrielle Wolff Danielle Wright
New Brunswick Campus Elizabeth Ahr Francesca Baroni Patricia Batista Nicholas Beam Shanice Burgos Tahj Burnette Taylor Caldwell Jacob Caswell Brianna Daly Allyson Danyo *** Asia Davis Mia De Jesus-Martin Veronica Delmonte Isabel Espana ** Hibba I. Fazal * Marjorie García Sánchez Cecil Gauer Loving Gibson *** Stephanie Gil Brunella Godoy-Martinez Lizeth Gonzalez Galindo Katherine Granja Isabelle Gunn Jordan Haykin Bethany Holder Tishalee M. Humber * Anysha Hyppolite Jessica Jerez Danielle Johnson Emily Karlowski Jenna Krutyansky Sammie Lawson *** Devon Leahy Sarah Lee Dulce Lina
Amy Lockhart ** Stefanie Luna Vanessa Magalhaes Fonseca Julia Manna Emily Mikhail Alyssa Miller Destiny Morales Irmtraud Murphy Gessica Opipari Crystal Ortega Jocelyn Pelaez Leslie Pelaez Laura Penaherrera Franny Perez Sara Platt Nikhil Prithviraj Monica V. Rivera ** Zenaida Rosario Rosmery Saldana Cathryn Salladin Samantha Sanchez Jasmine Santalla Lauren Sappok Alyssa Seiz Danielle Shanskhalil Danielle Shapiro Eric Shaw Kimberly Silverio Diaz Madison L. Sterphone * Alexa Sucoe Lily Teichmann *** Rebecca Torsiello Jasmine Urrutia Stephanie Weiss Lauren Yanick * August 2020 graduate ** January 2021 graduate *** Potential August 2021 graduate
DUAL DEGREE IN DIVINITY AND SOCIAL WORK Stephen R. Longley Julianna Muya Lauren Renea Whitfield Nicholas Kristopher Young
Aging & Health Certificate Katrina Marie Blaise-Schlossberg Anna Loucinda Bradley Dominique Jaleh Bullock Lauren Caporoso Elizabeth Grace Cochran Kathleen Coleman * Colette Stella Curry Cailey Heather Dahl Franchester Edwards Lisa Anne Freidenrich Lauren N. Halecki Anita Hua Lori M. Kitun * Aeisha L. McLeod-Robinson
Michael J. Milizzo * Jillian Elizabeth Myers Melissa Hayley Najimian Payton Elizabeth Potts Anne Raulerson * Taylor Marie Ruszczyk * Gabrielle Christine Salvatore Valerie Nicole Santana Halle Nicole Sentman Kristina Kaylyn Shepherd Rachel Sklar Mackenzie Leigh Strasle David Chungshiu Wu * Aging Fellowship
M.S.W. Certificate in Promoting Child & Adolescent Well-Being Jennifer Amy Arey Patricia Lynn Avelino Alyssa H. Barry Kristen Concetta Bello Molly Caryn Berger Elisa Cecilia Buono MaryGrace Burke Marcus Vinicius Buzack Diana Marcela Castaneda Alexander David Cerbone Maria Soledad Cerna Doreen E. Chila-Jones Isabel Martins Clemente Tzippy Cohen Stephanie Carolina Cruz Alvarez
Sarah T. D’Alessio Kris Michelle Diaz Daniel Dynes Nicole Epps Semhar A. Gebregzabher Aaliyah Chantal Gill Avery Heimann Theodora L. Hunter Ashley Kristin Jackson Rebecca Diane Lyons Gabriela Tatiana Minchala Dajana Nalvarte Elizabeth O' Donnell Songwon Oh-Lorenzo Nathaly Padua
Andrew Patrick Paine Carol Michelle Palacios KateLynn Nell Patronick Ashley Marie Pires Alexa Monserrate Polo Rebecca Lynn Portela Joanna Price Juliana Maria Quense Hannah Lisa Rappaport Anna Lee Richter
Jessica Sabatino Christopher Alexander Salazar Ashley Jazmine Saltos Morganne A. Schafle Nicole Scheller Rebecca Anne Seman Cassie Brooke Spector Alidis Vicente Catherine Vigliotti Zaria Aignee Webb-Stewart
Violence Against Women and Children Certificate Jennifer K. Amsden Payal D. Arora Danielle Catherine Bachant Hunter Banks Katie Barnhart Kathryn Lida Marie Bednarsky Sara Benjamin Kelsey Borden Kevin Broderick Niasia Carter Tyniesha Chambers Joselyn Chavez Brianna Cheringal Caitlin Ciaccio Soto Edyth Codiot Hailee Ashton Collier Shannon Kathleen Coon Elizabeth Alexandria Cozanitis Raqia Latifa Crawley Caroline Dato Jamie C. Dalzell Amanda Nicole DeCanio Angela Rose DeCristofano Kristin L. Dellavecchia * Abigail Rose DeSilva Shanika Ann Dixon-Glaze Madeleine G. Doubet Marisa Douglas
Jessica Rae Elsaesser Katherine Epps Faith Nicole Ferber Lucia Field Paige Morgan Fisk Krista L. Forni Susan Claire Franco Sarah Ann Fraser ** Laura Gallaher Laurie Nicole Ginn-Cuttino Elijah Lee Greene Olivia Catherine Hann Christine Hurst Nygeria Jackson Katherine Kehoe Sarah Keir Josephine Kim Medha Kudaisya Korin Langton David Andrew Learn Daria Leddy Kareemah Major Shea Alexis Mannix Jena Meck Angie G. Mendez Mya Miller Taylor Lynn Miller Mayra Alexandra Naula
Patricia Noel Ericka Nicole Norris Calandria Ortiz-Resende Katya Ann Palsi Eunice Park Samantha Perkins Stacey Marie Porter Susan Judith Reyna India L. Ridley Amanda Ivette Rodriguez Mariam Salih Katherine Michelle Schaekel Shealynn Smiley *
DeAna Victoria Smith Linda Smith Amanda Marie Starcev Marissa Stellwag Isabelle Alva Stonier Marci Stringham Amanda Swatko Emilia C. Torres Martinez Victoria Elise Ulrich Nicolette Anna Vasco Lauren I. Wistreich Ghalia Zelfo
* Verizon Wireless Hopeline Scholarship ** 2019-2020 Verizon Wireless Hopeline Scholarship
Addiction Counselor Training Certificate Ashley Brooke Anderson Olivia Adaugo Anusionwu Wilfred O. Asamoah Joy Awadalla Alexandra C. Barazotti Melissa Dapali Barua Sara Gail Burgard Gabrielle Caprara Jillian Leigh DiAmicis Carli Jean Edling Sonia Rose Elefante Chidimma Michelle Enekebe Anna Lee Falisiewicz Carolyn Fenton Colleen Ferenchak Isabel C. Fernandes Marissa Nicole Frasso Allison Mary Gaydos Khalia Celeste Goodwin Angeline Guzman Bion P. Harrigan Alexandra Lili Hicks Ashley Brianna Huggins Erin Patricia Ihnken Jennifer Ann Irving
Adam Joseph Jadick Jamie Lyn Katzenberger Megan May Kelly Marissa Rose Kohn Kriselia Marte Justin Edward Montefusco Genesis Moran Anya Nathanson-Tell Daniel Mcloone O' Connell Iyinoluwa D. Oluwatola Vanessa Oyeneye Chandni Maheshbhai Patel Martha A. Pender Luke Francis Roche Oliver Lyndale Salmon Richard M. Sandler Marisa Renee Schenkel Coral Silfa Alyssa Julia Somohano Jennifer Neesen Sorensen Merissa Ann Toscani Colleen Alexandra Ubl Brielle Nicole Underwood Michael Richard-Hardin Viscidy
Human Services Management Certificate Elizabeth Helen Antonowicz Caroline Barcia Allison Benites Natalie Berrette Rachelle Bertholf Kathyna Bonheur Jennifer Lauren Bowens Faniva Ivana Brieva Michelle Marie Burwell Alejandra Carbajal Rodrigo Cardenas Jr. Michelle Marie Carter Lisa Marie Cieplechowicz Isabel Martins Clemente Jesse Denniston-Lee Abigail Rose DeSilva Michelle Dasilva-Boland Sherry Leanne Euvin Lucia Field Madeline Rose Frankel Emily Warfield Genetta Aaliyah Chantal Gill Laurie Nicole Ginn-Cuttino Onesha Marie Givens Natalia Gomez Shantelle Joy Guinto William James Harrison Avery Heimann Morgan Cheyenne Herman Pamela Vanessa Herrera Amanda Rose Kolacy Kelsey L. Kover Alexandra Kritikos
Gregory Martin Langan Suzanne Lehrer Lauren Amor Leonard Stephen R. Longley Isaac Leeds Mendelsohn Taylor Lynn Miller Miriam Montufar Yajira Morales Jennifer Melissa Naranjo Thea Lorenzo Ordoñez Calandria Ortiz-Resende Rebecca Anne Pich Neha Rauf Nicole Ann Riddle Dianne Santos Morganne A. Schafle Jennifer Elizabeth Schrum Rebecca Anne Seman Halle Nicole Sentman Jennifer Sevilla Cameron Smith Gabriel Soriano Francesca Stewart Julia Strazza Méixïn Ŝün Jalisa Veronica Tucker Marleina Ubel Noelia Vicente Christina Ashley Wharton Corrine Stephanie Whiter Justin Dominique Winfrey Katelyn Danielle Winters Harry Timothy Wollenberg
Latina/o Initiatives for Service, Training & Assessment Certificate
Daniella Capone Veronica Guardado
Jacqueline Martinez Lauren Renea Whitfield
UNDERGRADUATE SOCIAL WORK ORGANIZATION Executive Council Members Camden Chapter President: Courtney Eckstadt Vice President: Shannon Moran Secretary: Mackenzi Reilly Treasurer: Myesha Sapp Communications: Alyssa Perry Task Manager: Maya Lipscomb
New Brunswick Chapter President: Sara Platt Vice President/PR: Rebecca Collette Secretary: Alexa Sucoe Treasurer: Lauren Yanick Event Planning/PR: Victoria Blunnie
V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Teaching - Faculty Advisor
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK M.S.W. STUDENT ASSOCIATION Executive Council Members Co-Chair: Leah Hines Cunningham Co-Chair: Khoi Ngo Secretary: Kierra M. Richardson Treasurer: Khoi Ngo Communications Representative: Khadir Williams New Brunswick Campus Representative: Rebecca Ann Seman Non-Traditional Representative: Vimmi Kaumil First-Year Representative: Monica Grace Sanagustin Marian Diksies, M.A., M.S.W. Associate Professor of Teaching - Faculty Advisor
ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS AND PERFORMER In Order of Appearance
STUDENT SPEAKER MSW Graduate Marleina Ubel Marleina Ubel is graduating from Rutgers School of Social Work’s Blended Online MSW Program with a concentration in Management and Policy. She earned her bachelor's degree in philosophy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where, as a Philosophy in an Inclusive Key Summer Institute (PIKSI) Fellow, she spent a summer at MIT working to make the discipline more inclusive. Marleina was named a 2020-21 Kathleen Crotty Fellow through New Jersey Policy Perspective (NJPP) and a Fellow at the Eagleton Institute for Politics at Rutgers. Her work has been focused on poverty, inequality, and public policy, specifically the impacts of taxation and the carceral system. She was recently awarded a fellowship from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) and in this role she will continue to analyze public policy and advocate for social justice.
CONVOCATION SPEAKER Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester represents Delaware in the U.S. House of Representatives and serves as an Assistant Whip for House Leadership. Lisa sits on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The committee has broad jurisdiction over health care, the environment, commerce and trade, energy policy, telecommunications, manufacturing, and consumer protection. As the Energy and Commerce Committee’s only former statewide health official, Lisa understands health care from a number of different perspectives – as an implementer at the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, negotiator while serving as State Personnel Director, and advocate as CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League. Lisa is focused on reducing the cost of health care and prescription drugs for
middle-class families, addressing the disparity in outcomes for communities of color, and tackling our nation’s opioid and addiction epidemic. She serves as a Member of the Bipartisan Heroin Task Force, comprised of more than 100 members united with the common goal of tackling opioid addiction. Lisa is a leading voice in Congress on economic and future of work-related issues. As former Secretary of Labor and State Personnel Director, Lisa leverages her professional experience to advocate for legislation that boosts start-up business growth, removes barriers for citizens re-entering society, and addresses college affordability and ballooning student debt. She is a Co-Chair of the New Democrat Coalition’s Future of Work Task Force and serves as the sole Member of Congress on the Aspen Institute’s National Advisory Council for the Future of Work Initiative. She is also the founder of the Congressional Future of Work Caucus. In the 115th Congress, Lisa was a member of the House Committee on Agriculture – the first Delawarean to serve on the committee in over 120 years. In this role, she helped craft the 2018 Farm Bill, which is a five-year re-authorization that extends U.S. Department of Agriculture programs related to the farm safety net; nutrition programs that feed children, seniors, people with disabilities, and families who rely on the social support programs; land-grant and 1890 universities; and agriculture research. As a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a strong proponent of reforming our criminal justice system, Lisa introduced first-in-the-nation legislation, the Clean Slate Act, sealing the federal records of former nonviolent offenders that remain crime-free and have earned a second chance. This bill would provide new opportunities for Americans to earn a good-paying job, pursue education and training, and rent or own a home. According to estimates by the Center for American Progress, the passage of the Clean Slate Act could boost the U.S. economy by as much as $87 billion per year. Traveling up and down the state, Lisa is an advocate for the needs of every community, which informs her work in Washington. Having met with homeowners in the South Shore Marina development in North Bethany Beach, she learned of an error in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s coastal mapping unit for the town – preventing homeowners from taking advantage of the National Flood Insurance Program and FEMA aid in the event of a disaster. Turning their concerns into action, Lisa reached across the aisle to work with Democrats and Republicans across the country with similarly affected mapping units and introduced the Strengthening Coastal Communities Act. She worked with allies in Delaware and Washington to help usher this critical piece of legislation into law – aiding homeowners and setting aside hundreds of acres for environmental protection. With deep roots in the First State, Lisa grew up in Wilmington, graduated from Padua Academy, and worked her first job at the McDonald’s on Market Street. She graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in International Relations and put herself through graduate school as a working mom – earning a master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware. Lisa began her distinguished career in public service as an intern and later Caseworker in a congressional office where she helped Delawareans with their Social Security benefits, disability insurance claims, IRS disputes, and housing needs. Lisa would go on to serve in the cabinets of two Delaware governors and as CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League – an action-oriented, public policy research think-tank.
Lisa also served as the Senior Executive Leadership and Systems Manager for the Institute for Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Boston where she advocated for people with disabilities in their struggle for equal opportunity and civil rights. During this time, Lisa helped expand the Institute’s global footprint and advised state agencies and employers. In part due to Lisa’s work, she helped build the Institute into a fully-fledged college at the university, the School for Global Inclusion and Social Development — focused on the inclusion of all people. Lisa currently resides in Wilmington, Delaware near her adult-aged children, Alex and Alyssa, as well as her daughter-in-law, Ebony.
VOCALIST MSW Graduate Christiana Danielle Christiana Danielle, an Indiana native, is a singer/songwriter, national recording artist, public speaker, and mental health advocate. Christiana graduated with her Bachelor of Social Work from Huntington University in 2017 where she was an all-American track athlete, student ambassador, recipient of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, and campus worship leader. Her unique tones and creative vocal arrangements made her a Top 10 stand out on season 14 of NBC’s The Voice. She was coached by 15-time Grammy award winning Alicia Keys. Keys describes Christiana in her memoir entitled, More Myself, as a “woman who oozes individuality….bright and glittery and vocally gifted. Capable of shining under pressure and was the type of unique artist that America doesn’t see enough of.” Although Christiana’s newfound stardom was exciting, her tenacity for education and mental health led her to New Jersey where she earned her Master of Social Work and certification in Violence Against Women and Children from Rutgers University in 2020. Christiana recently released her debut EP, “Growth,” in November of 2020. She describes this project as an eclectic work of art that takes the listener on a journey of emotional growth through the context of a relationship. This R&B/soul album is unique in that each song encapsulates a nod to the different subgroups of the genre. Christiana prides herself on having “message music” as each of her songs tells a story. Christiana continues to destigmatize mental health, racial disparities, and discrimination to marginalized communities through her profession as a mental health consultant to nonprofit organizations and adjunct social work instructor at Vincennes University. Christiana is also currently working on a mental health album that shines a light on depression, anxiety, sexual assault, and trauma that will be accompanied by a curriculum curated to discuss the implications of each song topic on daily life. Her goal is to combine her passions of singing and mental health to help others become more mindful, mentally healthy, and conscious of their impact on themselves and the world around them.
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 Wen Li (Vivien) Anthony, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Victoria Banyard, M.A., Ph.D. Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Development V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Teaching, Director of the Baccalaureate Program Douglas Behan, D.S.W. Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Director of Continuing Education Natalie Bembry, M.S.W., M.A., Ed.D. Teaching Instructor, Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Camden Campus Coordinator
Charles Chear, M.S.W. Teaching Instructor, Assistant Director of Student Affairs and Newark Campus Coordinator Stephen Crystal, M.A., Ph.D. Distinguished Research Professor Laura Cuesta, M.A., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Laura Curran, M.S.W., Ph.D. Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Professor 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
Mariann Bischoff, M.S., M.S.W. Teaching Instructor and Management and Policy Field Specialist
Jacquelynn Duron, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Marla Blunt-Carter, M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Professional Practice
Richard L. Edwards, M.S.W., Ph.D. Distinguished Professor and Chancellor Emeritus, Rutgers – New Brunswick
Emily Adlin Bosk, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Qiana L. Brown, M.S.W., M.P.H., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Carol Cassidy, M.A. Teaching Instructor and D.S.W. Multi-Media Writing Program
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. Associate Professor, Director, 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 Assistant Director of D.S.W. Program Emily Greenfield, M.S., Ph.D. Associate 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 Samuel Jones, M.S.W., D.S.W. Assistant Dean of Part-Time Lecturer Development and Associate Professor Myungkook Joo, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor Woojin Jung, M.P.P, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Christine E. Kephart, Ph.D. Writing Instructor, DSW Program Rupa Khetarpal, M.A., M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Teaching and Coordinator, 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. Associate Professor and Director of the Doctoral Program (D.S.W.) 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, Center on Violence Against Women and Children and Chancellor's Scholar for Violence Prevention Christine Morales, M.S.W. Assistant Teaching Professor and Assistant Director of Recruitment and Admissions 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 and Director, 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 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 and Associate Director of the Center for Prevention Science and Director, Northeast & Caribbean Prevention Technology Transfer Center Gabriel Robles, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor 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 Director of Online Programs Gina L. Sharpe, M.S.W. Assistant Teaching Professor 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
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 Teaching Professor and Assistant Director of the Intensive Weekend Program Hannah Szlyk, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Trinay V. Thomas, M.S.W. Teaching Instructor and Associate Director of Field Education Emmy Tiderington, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Mark van der Maas, M.A., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Abigail Williams-Butler, M.S., M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Allison Zippay, M.S.W, Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Doctoral Program (Ph.D.) 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 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 Rachel Schwartz, M.S.W. Director, Online Programs Marian Diksies, M.A., M.S.W. Director, Student Affairs Erin Capone, M.S.W. Director of Development Laurie Zazenski, M.A. Director of Communications Samantha Michaele, B.A. Director of Business Services
FACULTY AND STAFF AWARDS Outstanding Professor in Clinical Specialization Outstanding Professor in MAP Specialization Outstanding Professor for Excellence in Inclusion, Intersectionality, Diversity, Equity and Advancement (IIDEA) Teaching Exemplary IIDEA Research Recognition Award Outstanding Professor for Innovative and Creative Teaching Most Supportive Professor Outstanding Part-Time-Lecturer Outstanding Doctoral Student Teaching in the BASW or MSW Programs Most Supportive Staff Award
OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS Dissertation Award Outstanding MSW Student in the Clinical Specialization Outstanding MSW Student in the MAP Specialization Outstanding MSW Student in the Online Program Outstanding MSW Student in the Intensive Weekend Program Outstanding MSW Student in the Blended Program Outstanding MSW Student Studying in Camden Outstanding MSW Student Studying in Newark Outstanding MSW Student Studying in New Brunswick Outstanding Student in the Camden BASW Program Outstanding Student in the New Brunswick BASW Program Emerging Scholar IIDEA Research Award Brian C. Wright Social Work Award
Students nominated for an Outstanding M.S.W. Student Award Elizabeth Helen Antonowicz Lori A. Barry Kathryn Lida Marie Bednarsky Kristen Concetta Bello Colleen Canyon Rodrigo Cardenas Jr. Madeline Kim Cassano Doreen E. Chila-Jones Emilie Anne Collins Angela Rose DeCristofano Nicole Epps Laurie Jane Feingold Paige Morgan Fisk Matthew J. Grimes Annabel Juri Hernandez Joletta Rose Hostetter Ashley Brianna Huggins
Simone Alexandra Jarvis Medha Kudaisya Kareemah Major Dean Alexander Manning Justin Edward Montefusco Brianna Nicole Morrell Katya Ann Palsi Eunice Park Martha A. Pender Alexa Monserrate Polo Erica Risser Max Rosenheck Katherine Michelle Schaekel Deborah Scott Shealynn Smiley Marleina Ubel Ghalia Zelfo
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 and with the 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.
2021 Scholarship Recipients Against All Odds: The Joan Geraci Memorial Endowed Scholarship Morganne A. Schafle
Alumni Association of the School of Social Work Endowed Fellowship Moshood Olaitan Animasahun Anya Nathanson-Tell
Dorothy Cartun Amdurer Memorial Fellowship Michelle Marie Carter Rodrigo Cardenas Jr. Pamela Vanessa Herrera
Yetta H. and Hyman Appel Scholarship Sarah T. D'Alessio Chaya Leah Gersten Melissa Hernandez Daria Leddy Peter Lee
Rebecca Marie McBride Leah Hannah Rappaport Michael Rosenman Juan Santiago Alonni Laurice Whitaker
Boehm Memorial Fund Nadica Hegedus
Boraie Family Field Education Endowed Fellowship Valerie Nicole Santana
William Neal Brown Memorial Fellowship Leslie Jones
Kenneth Christmon Memorial Scholarship Zenaida Rosario
Allen & Marcia Cohen and Mark Forman Memorial Award Natalie Berrette Justin Dominique Winfrey
Darien Family Endowed Fellowship for the School of Social Work Hunter Banks Jessica Lee Bergbauer
Dean's Academic Excellence Award Kendle Noelle Bryan Jinal Kiran Kapadia Genesis Moran Vanessa Oyeneye Kierra M. Richardson
Dean's Scholarship Ann Verona Baker Caroline Barcia Dania Maria Bautista Wanda Gidget Blount Pierce Hudson Bourget Chana T. Brauser Alejandra Carbajal Stephanie Georgina Cedeño Maritza Chero Brenda Elizabeth Codallos-Tepepa Cailey Heather Dahl Kristin L. Dellavecchia Jesse Denniston-Lee Madeleine G. Doubet Eghosa A. Ekenezar Roberto Alexander Gomes Luisa Gonzalez Destiny Grant Ivory Trenee' Hargrove Toya Nichole Harrity Rivka Herson Lilian E. Ibiang Laquanda Sheneen Jones Latia Jones
Medha Kudaisya Daisy Maribel Lema Kareemah Major Kelly Mae McGrath Brianne Nicole Micele Mackenzie Jackson Miller Yipsi Molina Khadijah Fatimah Muhammad Estherline Josephine Nicol Thea Lorenzo Ordoñez Natalie Karina Puente Nicole Ranero Nathaniel Robinson Daysi Yesenia Sanz Ana M. Serna Garcia Dallie Shell Merna Sirag Julia Strazza Melissa Carol Sullivan Judy Samaroo Vieruel Nicole M. White Brandi L. Wituschek Crystal Shantel Wynn Christine Marie Zeimetz
Harold W. and Marguerite F. Demone Endowed Fellowship Sara Gail Burgard
Richard L. Edwards Endowed Scholarship Cynthia Chisom Amuruotu Alexis Nicole Cantrell
Donna and Art Falk Endowed Scholarship Marie Myvline Jules Coacoa Yola Pearson Jamillah Nicole Williams
Daniel Jordan Fiddle Foundation Fellowship Kelly Mae McGrath
Mary Vivian Fu & Robert C. Wells and Fu Family Endowed Fellowship Jacqueline Martinez
Bert Goldberg Memorial Scholarship Shantelle Joy Guinto
Christine Gorman Memorial Scholarship D'angelo Martino Milford
L.I.S.T.A. Scholarship Veronica Guardado
Patricia M. Myron Memorial Fellowship Johane Romulus
Patricia Nagle Scholarship Fund Joanne Catherine Israel
Empowering Survivors of Domestic Violence: Sheryl Lanman Nichols Fellowship Mariam Salih
Lillian Ringel Memorial Scholarship Joletta Rose Hostetter
Lori Schlosser Endowed Fellowship Joanna Price
School of Social Work Alumni Association Opportunity Fellowship Stephanie Carolina Cruz Alvarez
School of Social Work Fellowship fund Tammy Roshell Andrade Christina Crenny Julian Sasrawan Halim Endy Valerius
School of Social Work in Support of Programs on Aging Kathleen Coleman Lori M. Kitun Michael J. Milizzo Taylor Marie Ruszczyk
Krystal Skinner Memorial Scholarship Fahimah Brown
Students Supporting Students Madeline Kim Cassano Alexandra Nicole Charletta Simone Alexandra Jarvis Brianna Nicole Morrell
Verizon Wireless Hopeline Scholarship Kristin L. Dellavecchia Medha Kudaisya Shealynn Smiley
Welcome SSW Alumni! Congratulations, graduate! You are now an official member of the School of Social Work 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.
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 events throughout the year 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 Email a class note to mmolner@ssw.rutgers.edu to be included in the next alumni magazine
To learn more about how to get engaged, contact Erin Capone at ecapone@ssw.rutgers.edu.
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
Law / Purple
Arts, Letters, Humanities / White Business Administration, Commerce / Drab
Library Service / Lemon Medicine / Green
City and Regional Planning / Brown Communication and Information
Music / Pink Nursing / Apricot
Studies / Gray Economics / Copper Education / Light Blue
Oratory-Speech / Silver Gray Pharmacy / Olive Green Philosophy / Blue
Engineering / Orange Fine Arts, Architecture / Brown
Physical Education / Sage Green Public Administration / Peacock Blue
Human Resources Management / Dusk Journalism / Dark Crimson Labor and Employment Relations / Peacock Blue
Science / Golden Yellow 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.