SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
May 18, 2026
ORDER OF EXERCISES
THE PROCESSIONAL Majestic Brass Quintet GONFALONIER Ayse Akincigil, M.A., Ph.D. Associate Professor
NATIONAL ANTHEM
DEAN’S GREETING
E. Goldblatt Hyatt, M.S.W., M.B.E., D.S.W. Director of the D.S.W. Program and Associate Professor of Professional Practice for Reproductive Justice
George S. Leibowitz, M.S.W., Ph.D. Dean and Distinguished Professor
PROVOST & EXECUTIVE Jason Geary, Ph.D.
VICE CHANCELLOR’S GREETING Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
CHANCELLOR’S GREETING
FACULTY AND STAFF
Francine Conway, Ph.D. Chancellor and Distinguished Professor Rutgers University–New Brunswick
George S. Leibowitz, M.S.W., Ph.D. HONORS AND AWARDS
CONVOCATION SPEAKER
PH.D. DISSERTATION AWARD
PRESENTATION OF PH.D.
Michael A. Lindsey, M.S.W., M.P.H., Ph.D. Dean of the Silver School of Social Work
Cassandra Simmel, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director of the Doctoral (Ph.D.) Program and Associate Professor
Cassandra Simmel, M.S.W., Ph.D. DEGREE CANDIDATES
PRESENTATION OF D.S.W. E. Goldblatt Hyatt, M.S.W., M.B.E., D.S.W. DEGREE CANDIDATES
M.S.W. AWARDS
STUDENT SPEAKER
Antoinette Farmer, M.S., Ph.D. Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Professor
Karolain L. Guerrero
M.S.W. Class of 2026
PRESENTATION OF M.S.W. Elsa Candelario, M.S.S.W., D.S.W. DEGREE CANDIDATES Director of the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Program and Professor of Professional Practice
B.A.S.W. AWARDS
V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D. Assistant Dean of Bachelor’s Programs, Director of the Baccalaureate Program (New Brunswick) and Professor of Teaching
PRESENTATION OF B.A.S.W. V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D. DEGREE CANDIDATES
CONVOCATION READER Arlene M. Hunter, M.A. Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
FINAL COMMENTS
George S. Leibowitz, M.S.W., Ph.D. THE RECESSIONAL Majestic Brass Quintet
The Recessional will be led by the Dean and the faculty. Students and guests are asked to remain in place until the Recessional is completed. Please turn off all cellular telephones during the ceremony. A professional photographer will take pictures of the graduates during the program.
Esther Bennett
PH.D. GRADUATES
October 2025
Dissertation Chair: Sarah McMahon, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: PTSD Symptoms and Underlying Neural Networks in Response to MAP Training Among College Sexual Violence Survivors
Nicole Milano
Dissertation Chair: Ayse Akincigil, M.A., Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: Exploring Spatial Accessibility To Primary Care In New Jersey
Co-president of the Doctoral Student Association
Melanie Yu
Dissertation Chair: Cassandra Simmel, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: Refugee Reciprocity as a Critical Apparatus for Reimagining Resettlement Work: A Qualitative Examination of Refugee Reciprocity and Solidarity
Grand Challenges for Social Work Honorable Mention Dissertation Award; Secretary of the Doctoral Student Association
2026 D.S.W. GRADUATES
Margarita Baldeo
Area of Focus: The Unseen Weight of Fatherhood: Paternal Mental Health and Emotional Labor in the Postpartum Period
Jeremy Robert Anthony Brinsdon Area of Focus: Sociopolitical Identity and Clinical Social Work Practice
Kristin Ryan Brown
Area of Focus: Social Work with Military Members and Veterans, Specializing in Military Sexual Trauma
Katherine A. Epps
Area of Focus: Community Forensic Social Work and Supervision of Individuals with Serious Mental Illness
AJ Freno
Area of Focus: Pleasure-Informed Sex Education and Support for LGBTQ+ Youth and Their Families
Kayla Rose Hanley Area of Focus: Strengthening the Mental Health of Law Enforcement Officers and Their Families
Bing Ji
Area of Focus: Aging in Place for Community Residing Older Adults
Jillian M. Kane Area of Focus: The Dialectic of Being a DBT Therapist and DBT Client
Victoria M. Miller-Butcher Area of Focus: Retention Strategies for Black First-Generation College Students
Patricia Sienna Sherice Palmer Area of Focus: Health Equity and Culturally Responsive Care for Black and Minority Adolescent Girls Managing Obesity
Dài Giang Ngoc Phan Area of Focus: Cultural Identity of 2nd Generation Vietnamese Adult Children of Refugees
Simaza Sadek Area of Focus: The Salience of Identity, Community, and Support in the Experiences of the Relational Others of Transgender People
Kelly Ann Smith Area of Focus: Neuroplasticity, Mindfulness, and Meditation for Students in Professional Programs
Safa Kayed Abdeljaber *
Adekemi Oluwafisayo Abegunde Ojo
Elise Catherine Abramik *
Sarah Michelle Adler
Elise Agnor
Indira Agosto-Carrera *
Stephanie Nelly Aguilar
Stephany Briana Aimarino
Unique Claire Aine *
Babra A. Akmal
Shalisa Deanna Alba
Jessica Alday *
Lauren Almeida
Patul Alomari *
Brian C. Amigh
Shillah Akhalagwa Amira
Amanda Rosa Amorim
Tishera Dorothea A’Mour
Grace Lynn Anderson
Carelys Andino
AnneMarie Andrews
Austyn Vincenza Antonelli *
Mara Apodaca
Gabriella Aponte
Merrisa Anne Arban *
Michelle Ardanza
Carol Janett Arroyo
Momena Asif
Stephanie Miriam Aslanyan
Jamila Ife Austin
Rina G. Austin *
Kayla Madeline Ayala *
Natasha Farisha Azad
Emma Justine Baeyens
Max Bailey
Luke Baillie
Marybeth Anna Baisden
Brianna Lee Baldassano *
Samantha L. Balling
Kimberly Nicole Baskett
Vilma Victoria Bazo
Wisdom Nikeisha Bealon
Jennifer Bell
Shakira T. Bell
Joshua L. Belmonte
Monique Renei Benito
Fiorella Donayre Benson *
Sarah Berger *
Bailey Jean Bertrand
Jala Best
Stephany Bhisham
Lauren Brooke Blumer
Laura Allison Bortnick
Kelly Mashay Bostic *
La’Kiha Michelle Bradley *
Kelly M. Brady
Sade Domonique Bramwell
Karina Bravo *
Sherrell M. Brefo
Danielle Lee Brown
Jessica Chantel Browne *
Madeleine Swain Buchman
William N. Burke III
Denisse I. Cabrera *
Anna Marietta Caccamo
Alex Camacho
Alexandria Star Campbell
Angelica Arianna Canales
Tiffany Cannavo
Sheree Cannon *
Kerrigan Grace Canzano *
Paige A. Carbone
Taylor Jasmine Carmona
Amanda Jackson Caro *
Kailey Marie Carroll *
Aneika Carter
Nicole Marie Cary
Kathleen Duarte Castanho *
Diana Cristina Castillo *
Jennifer Castro Jaramiļlo *
Kayla Lucille Celleri Elizalde
Patricia R. Cerreto
Karlos Kailasa Chanquin
Chenell Lanaya Chapman
Kooheli Chatterji *
Julieanne Chavez
Tawana Cherubin *
Lissette Christmon
Edward G. Chung
Claire Marie Ciardiello
Rose Ciglar
Nailah E. Cintron
Kayla Rose Ciok
Abigail Catherine Clark *
Julia Claire Cofrancesco
Aaron Joshua Cohen
Elizabeth McMurray Cohen
James William Cohen
Paul Jay Cohen II
Natasha Collins
Julie Anna Colon *
Melissa Colon *
Jessica Marie Comerford *
Jillian Madeleine Conklin *
Shayla Ayana Constant *
Marinela Constantino *
Alison Jacquelyn Convery-Johnson
Diana Carolina Cordova Morejon
Erin M. Cosentino
Sarah Danielle Costa
Kayleigh Marie Craver
Vanity Crenshaw
Rael Crews
Nyrea’ Nicole Cross *
Kelli Crosta *
Reese Gabriel Teodoro Cruz
Samuel Cruz
Jennifer Cruz Rodriguez
Liliana Cuadrado *
Angie Cunha *
Monika P. Cunningham
Jonathan Curl
Melanie Curry
Briana Marie Da Silva *
Rachel Davis
Natalie J. De Cicco
Amelia Ines De Jesus
Elizabeth De Jong *
Desiree De La Camara *
Catherine V. De Leon *
Alyssa Marie DelSorbo
Jasmine Germina Denis *
Erica Lynn DeSanguine
Tamika Kim Deshields
Adrian J. Diaz
Anyelina Diaz
Selena Marie Dieterman *
Alexa Marie Difiglia
Daniella Shannon Diggins
Meghan Jon Dolan
Norah Eileen Dolan
Shannon Duke
Grace Durando
Erica Duverne
Kimberly A. Ebo
Emma Rose Eckenroth
Aretha Edwards *
Lyndonna Kellisa Shereece Edwards
Adriana Elias Rodriguez *
Favour Enehi Ella *
Linda Erin Elliott *
Cathrin Emerick *
Melody Eric Bell-Gam
Amanda Grace Eschert
Jeanelle Escobar
Deanna Elizabeth Espichan
Melissa Esposito
Gloria Fabre
Kathryn H. Featherston
Zakhra Felsenthal
Julia Fernandez *
Nicolo M. Ferranti
Alexandria Marie Figueroa
Taina Figueroa
Rebecca M. Finkel
Leora Bracha Finkelstein
Margaret Fleming
Ariana Isabel Flores
Ari Flynn *
Gabriella E .Fogel
Leah Joan Foley
Khaleeq E. Fowler
Jennifer Marie Fox
Jamie Lynn Frank
Marlenna Lianna Franqui
Michelle Franzoso
Amber Lee Freda
Darien Vincent Freda
Andrew E. Friedrich
Nunzio Antonio Frisina
Sequoiah Simone-Nicole Fuentes
Leah Marietta Gabaldon *
Ederne J. Gabriel *
Jessie Honora Gage
Amanda Gagliano *
Olivia Ana Galari
Gabriella Marie Gangemi
Jakcel Garcia
Lucia Sophia Garcia
Rhode-Taina Gina Gardere
Yesenia H. Gavilanes
Laura Gaviria Roldán
Kayla Nan Gelston
Elyannyery Germoso *
Savanna Gibson
Ashleigh Kate Giri
Joseph Benjamin Glicksberg
Princess-Zoe O. Godwin
Angelica Giselle Gómez Sención *
Stephanie Gomez-Vanegas
Nicole Stelle Gonzales
Shana-Mae P. Gonzales
Sheyla Gonzalez
Joelys Gonzalez Bisono *
Ayana Tyi Goodwin *
Verńadie Goring
Tishun Graham *
Amaris N. Grajales
Jasmine Michelle Grant
David Michael Gravaģna
Alicia Michele Greaney *
Jennifer Green
Diana Norberg Griebell
Cory John Griffin
Liza Griswold
Adelaide Wellwood Groth-Tuft
Nicole Guarducci
Bryana Guerrero
Karolain L. Guerrero
Solange K. Gutierrez
Catherine C. Guy
Christine Habib
Natalie Hall *
Valeria Hamer *
Maria Carmela Eleanor Hanelin
Kelly Therese Hannemann
LaQuan De’shawn Harris
Natasha Hentz *
Alexa Nicole Hernandez
Leiny Laura Hernandez *
Carly Heyn
Gabriella Rose Hicken
Ebony Hicks
Sandra A. Highsmith *
Bryanna Hill
Jennifer Hoatson *
Maximiliano Hogan Montalvo
Stephanie Judith Huembes
Belicia Pearl Hughes
Carli Jordan Hullihen
Naomi Devakumari Hunt
Kristen D. Hunter *
Dixie Ann Hutchinson-Roberts
Claire Ibrahim
Nyasia L. Ingram
Joanny Sandra Iniguez
Matthew Levi Jacobs
Madeline Paige Jacoby
Thameka James *
Alexandra Rose Januzzi-Thomas
Jade Jaramillo
Megan Ann Jelinski *
Jessica Ginele Jenkins *
Lewis Benjamin Jenkins III
Kiara Jesus-Rosario
Colleen A. Jewell *
Ana K. Jimenez *
Jackelin Joa *
Claire Joanson
Roji John *
Barbara Anne Johnson
Kylie Kay Johnson *
Ryan D. Johnson *
Sara Anne Jones *
Daniel Louis Juengst
Leticia Jugo
Julia Jurkowski
Joo-Yon Kang
Jessica Eileen Kardasz
Gabriela Kats
Ruth A. Keim-Traylor
Kayla Nichole Kendrick
Jada Marie Kennedy
Jaalah Kenney *
Peter I. Khalatian
Caroline K. Kiessling
Sarah Fronhofer Kim
Marissa Rose Klass
Emily Joy Shulman Knopf
Jacob C. Koerkel
Madelyn A. Kopec
Candace Nicole Kosted
Kyle Andrew Kozak
Jenifer Nicole Kryzanowski *
Alyssa Kueny
Ashali Kumar
Karolina Kur *
Megan Mariam Kurian
Victoria Grace Kurz
Shannon Nicole Kutcher
Ava Jean Kwan
Jessica Rose Lagary *
Marckinson Laine
Mahaganie Lane *
Jennifer LaRosa
Mia Larsen
Danielle Rachel Lawrence-Cohen *
Zeita N. Ledbetter
Heejun Lee
Ashley Patricia Lemise *
Nicole Taylor Lenn
Nadia Lescott-Porter *
Victoria Hannah Levine
Sarah Lewis
Virginia Depetris Lewis
Kristy Li
Katherine Gardiner Linnehan
Alysha Danielle Lopez *
Jessica Carolina Lopez
Jenna Lorenz *
Daphney Louis
Tiffany Lowe
Denise Esther Lugo
Daniel E. Lundner
Toni Anne Marie Mac Lean
Natalie Dodo Machavariani
Caileigh Maddison
Daniel Joesph Magelinski
Deonna Louise Mahana
Beth Mahaney
Mona Mahapatra
Kasey Maines
Damian Edward Maldonado Jr. *
Cailey Rose Maman
Abbigail Mamie*
Kylie Rose Mandeville
Alessa Elena Manuola
Joseph Anthony Manuola V
Linda J. Marinnie
Charlotte Hart Markey
Tamaris Nicole Marquez Pimentel
Emma Elizabeth Marshall
Ashley Nicole Martin *
Sheronda M. Martin
Jessica Marucci *
Ekaterina Masienkova
Daniel Oscar Maslak
Amber Matos
Nicole M. Matos-Martiak *
Cheyeann C. Matranga
Michael T. Mautone
Kerly J. Mayorga
Alyssa Michele McClure
Katelyn Ann McConnell
Crystal Lee P. McDaniel *
Fiona McDonald
Ashley Ann McDowell *
Lauren Marie McFarland
Cara Morgan McGuire
Shamar Matthew McKenzie *
Jamie Lee McKnight *
Nariah Afrykah McKnight *
Chantel Mae McLean
Katiera Nichole McMillon
Diana McNiff
Nicole Meehan *
Gabriela Melendez
Helen Menase *
Amy Marie Mercado
Ashley Kristine Mere
Katherine Micheli*
Lucia Carmela Milano *
A’naya Marie Miller
Keana Miller *
Tiffany Miller *
Olivia Carmen Miller-Hernandez
Anna Dominique Faustino Miranda *
Delia Rose Mischel
Connie Lee Mitchell
Elana Annika Mitchell-Mills *
Brianna Nicole Mitschele
Mohammed El-Sayed Mohammed
Virginia Moise
Ebonia Monique Moody
Jennifer Rene Moon
Joshua Frederick Mooney *
Ashley Renee Morales *
Tara Morgan
Lisa Morgenthal
Jonathan Jude Morris
Sierra Mortenson
Gabriella Marie Moulton
Alethea Rose Mouzakes
Alexandra Moya
Najilah Maryam Muhammad
Samantha Marie Muller
Stephanie Corrinne Muñoz Wells *
Alma Munoz-Enriquez *
Sandy Emad Muqbel *
Isabelle Seton Murphy
Kelly Lynn Murphy *
Julia Rose Najarian
Nicole Lindsay Napoletano
Lauren A. Nash *
Constance Nelson *
Michelle Renee Brummell Nelson
Alfreda Valeria Neto-Niza
Melanie Amber New
Suzy Nifah
Hannah Frances Noel *
Dylan Fernando Nunez
Nexxy Maciel Nunez
Angel J. Nuñez-Velez
Emily Danielle Obusek *
Kelsey Jean O’Connor
Lovely Octavius
Otejiri Alexis Ogbevire
Joseph Adeboye Olatunji Jr.
Ana Karina Olivera
Angie Isabel Oliveros
Alyson Elizabeth O’Neill
Nicole Alejandra Orellana *
Briny D. Orozco Mazariegos
Ashley Bella Orr
Janine Milagros Ortiz *
Karen Andrea Orzero
Allison Michelle Osorio
Nadia Jacqueline Osorio
Jescica I. Pacheco
Denise Padilla
Bianca Rose Palestis
Jasmine Palin
Katheryn V. Papalski
Raylian G. Pardo
Chelsea Veronica Parisi
Hannah Park
Rachel Ann Parsons *
Ashton Leigh Patterson
Tabitha Haley Paul
Alissa Rose Paulison
Janeya A. Pecco *
Martin Peña Jr. *
Lisa N. Perez
Kirssy Maria Perez-Grullon
Sabrina Ann Perez-James *
Sofia Rose Perillo
Joanne Charlotte Perkins
Debra Rachel Perlmutter
Remby R. Perry Jr.
Gabriel Alfred Pescasio
Madison R. Peterson *
Erin Elizabeth Petrosino
Sarah M. Phillips
Siobhan Katharine Phillips
Qendresa Pilku
Ava Pirri
Madelyn Elizabeth Pletzer *
Camille Jillian Poblete
Louis Joseph Polise
Alexandria Nicole Porrini
Quadeer Lamar Porter
Jenniffer Portorreal Escoto
Julianna Posada
Shakayla Posey *
Kali Brielle Posten
Nishant Bhaskar Prakash *
Claressa Price *
James Rawlins Price *
Cynthia Patson Puleo
Ashley Marie Purvis *
Laura Cristina Putzulu *
Ameena Qobrtay
Genesis O. Quezada *
Jesenya Rosemarie Quiles
Serene Rahman
Sabrina Ramos
Dianna Frances Rampino
Lars Erik Rasmussen
Colette Mary Reasonover
Robinson E. Reyes Santos *
Lacey Marie Rhein
Asia Jamayé Ritger
Chloe Nicole Rivas
Tiffany Nicole Rivera *
Yancarlo Rivera
Katherine Jean Rizzo
Chloe Angelina Roberts
Jassmin E. Rocha
Breeanna Rodriguez *
Jessica Marie Rodriguez *
Leslie Rodriguez
Michelle A. Rodriguez
Nallely Rodriguez *
Yeralis Rodriguez
Parker Webb Rogers
Ariana Marie Rolon *
Johanna T. Romano Matos
Maritza Aliceya Rosario *
Shelby Nicole Rosen
Brittany Rosoff *
Joshua N. Rothberg
Dominique Denee Roundtree
Elina Roychowdhury
Shynistee Marie Ruiz
Naiyana Sabb *
Roger Dominic Sacchi II
Nicole Francine Saldanha
Paula M. Salvant
Isiah Sams
Kathleen Sanchez
Vanesa Carolina Sanchez
Cecilia Sanders
Serenity Shayla Sanders
Roselyn Angella Sandiford
Damìlys Santana Vargas
Desarai Santiago
Devan Nicole Santiago
Nina Francesca Santiago
Ely Jahaira Santiago-Lopez *
Samantha Grace Santorelli
Mackenzie Christine Santoro
Morgan Avery Santoro *
Hannah Marie Sargent *
Taylor Sargis *
Laura Elaine Savitsky
Haylee Schaefer
Kelly Anne Schaffer
Sydney Allison Schair
Maia Aschley Scheffler *
Feigie Schwarcz *
Sarah Elizabeth Scott
Valerie Sems
Diana P. Serquen
Munazzah Shahbaaz *
Tahreem Shakaib
Brianna L. Shannon
Jayda Lee Sharp
Emily Catherine Shea
Audrey Rose Shelley
Colleen Sheppard *
Corinne Antoinette Shields
Brigid Elizabeth Sieke
Julie Silberman
Nahary K. Silva
Jennifer Simon *
Olivia Renee Skervin
Jacob Matthew Skurchak
Megan Lucille Slattery *
Marninah Lee Sloan
Amanda L. Smith
Geneva A. Smith
Marialuisa Solis
William Michael Somers
Andrea Leigh Soper
Melanie Sosis *
Rosalyn Soto *
Taylor Amanda Sprowl
Rebecca Leah Sragow
Shala Lynne Staple *
Taylor Capri Stevens
Keisha Carletta Stuger
Bria I. Styles
Emma Sullivan
Jadyn M. Sullivan
Julia Elizabeth Sullivan
Samara Sutton
Dleta Chevon Sweat
Elizabeth Rose Sweda
Matteo David Szarka
Stephanie Lynn Talmadge
Andrew Mina Maged Tawadros
Rupert Thomas Jr.
Tiffany B. Thompson
Luke Casey Thorpe *
Megan Anne Tierney *
Rosario Tlapa-Baez
Gianna Nicole Tocco *
Emily Marie Tomas
Carmen Nancy Torres
Diana Marcela Torres
Isaiah D. Torres
Jenny Lee Torres
Joseph Keller Tozzi
Deanna R. Triassi *
Sussex Trinidad *
Nicole A. Trumbul
Sandra Tsao *
Daisha N. Tucker *
Shana A. Tucker
Anne Douglas Turvey
Olivia Osei Tutu
Emely Umanzor *
Chioma Umebuani
Mariela Urena
Lisbeth Yohanna Valdez
Lydia Vanessa Valencia
Julia Marie Vallario
Tyanwa K. Valle
Flor Vasquez-Vallejo
Denise Vassilatos *
Maria Alejandra Vazquez
Maria Semona Voskoboynikova
Zhamara Belinda Walker *
Peter Vincent Wall
Allison Waller
Theodore Alexander Ward
Leora T. Wasserman
Caroline Watson *
Tara Wehner
Stephen John Werley
Erikka Denise Wesley *
Lynnewood Malachi White *
Matthew T. Wickman
Kiwuani R. Williams
Patricia Ann Williams *
Malaysia Tannika Witherspoon
Jayna Wolffe
Lily Grace Worster
Tingyang Xu
Asia Joneé Yarbrough
Kelly Marie Yeager
Aranxa Carla Zapata *
Danielle Alise Zara
Jenna Ruth Zucker
* January 2026 graduate Candidate list is correct as of April 27, 2026.
M.S.W. STUDENTS WITHIN 9 CREDITS OF DEGREE COMPLETION
Sejal Amin
Harrison Atkinson
Alexis Augustin
Malik Bailey
Melissa Baldwin
Erin Barry
Ashley Bartlett
Keron Best
Nicole Bivens
Emani Blackwell
Aaron Braden
Brianna Brion
Maia Brockbank
Allison Brower
Sage Buckley
Stephanie Buehl
Morgan Burch
Michael Cace
Jacqueline Carr
Samantha Castro
Iris Charneco
Emily Cherewich
Margaret Chiappetta
Dayana Cobo
Cristina Concepcion Carlos
Joe Correa Jumbo
Amoreena Crispino
Matthew Dadaille
Cereta Rose Dallago
Christy Delleh
Alyssa Delmar
Juliana Denning
Dernina Desir
Nicole Devone
Kristen Douma
Ashley Drapkin
Leanne Drum
Carolyn Edwards
Adelyne Ehntholt
Kerrie Eisenhardt
Essence Elston-Wilson
Holly Enden
Ma’isah Evans
Victoria Fallon
Andres Felix
Gregory Ford
Lisa Gause
Zeeli-Beth German
Jasmine Glaude
Chaim Glick
Amber Gonzalez
Erika Gonzalez-Barragan
Charlie Gray
Keelin Grindall
Emily Gum
Julie Hamon
Laurie Hamwi
Sarah Hartigan
Eddilanny Hernandez Delgado
Brianna Hilow
Safre Hughes
Jessica Hugle-Foster
Kristen Indriso
Stephen Janiszak
Amanda Jerome
Carli Johnstin
Juliana Kalmowitz
Marissa Kambouris
Leah Kamenski
Melissa Kreepali
Damaris Laureano
Rachel Lawson
Ryan Layden
Danika Leon
Brionna Lewis
Ana Maldonado
Elisabeth Marchese
Emily Martin
Kai Martin
Rhett Mercury
Fionna Mezzarina
Melanie Miranda Riano
Olivia Molinari
Kay Montes
Cheryl Moultrie
Karin Moya Tassi
Sophia Navarrete
Henry Nawn
Lisette Nazario
Kirsten Neville
Sara O’ Neill
Diana Orellana
Geraldine Ortiz
Elise Pajot-Keiler
Elizabeth Pasmantier
Monique-Ashley Payne
Andrea Persaud
Nancey Pierre
Samantha Piesco
Erica Pinho
Brandi Pray
Sarah Rahme
Juliana Raith
Travis Redmond
Julia Reichle
Jennifer Restucci-Smith
Miguel Reyes
Rachel Richard
Julia M. Rios
Joselyn Robins
Naomi Romm
Jennifer Sabeh
Karlee Salus
Shenelle Samuel
Alejandra Sanchez-Medina
Tierra Sanders
Katherine Schwartz
Katie Scull
Olivia Sebastian
Haley Shaw
Chloe Sklans
Julia Spano
Jamie St. Andrew
Charlotte Stafford
Christopher Stanley
Tiffany Stevens
Macie Sullivan
Alexandra Swangler
Radaisha Talley
Rycelis Tavarez
Leslie Valis
Linnea Vedder-Shults
Karian Viola
Cheyenne Welch
Brooke West
Grace White
Bailey Wielhouwer
Julia Wilson
Gabriella Wolfmuller
Litasha Worthen-Barnes
Cameron Wylie
Anna Xhumba
Zijing Zhao
Shan Zhong
Amanda Zimmerman
2026 B.A.S.W. GRADUATES
CAMDEN CAMPUS
Esi Amissah
Shanise Bailey
Patricia Beck
Zjohnyce Beverly
Vivianna Bordon
Jacob Bouson
Ida Brooks
Sonaya Brown
Salina Cherry
Kennedy Cipolla
Christopher Cosky
Jordyn Court *
Aniyah Davis
Carleigh Davis
Brandi Dennis
Christinia Eibeck
Juniper Emmons
Morgan Farren
Cierra Fifer
Monica Figueroa Pimentel
Kayla Fischer-Spross
Theresa Fitzpatrick
Samantha Garcia *
Anthony Gellura
Jazmin Gonzalez
Jason Grace Jr.
Gianna Granato
Shakeema Harris
Alexis Hatfield
Anthony Herbert
Joy Higgins
Michelle Hurley
Lanyia Johnson
NEW BRUNSWICK CAMPUS
Alexis R. Abreu
Elnora L. Alexander
Akeliah I. Alfred
Juhyna A. Alkurdi
Latryana Alston
Jaylyn C. Armstead
Serena L. Austin
Manika Azolin
Alexis D. Bartkowicz
Viola Botros
Eva Kassekert
Payton Keen
Bryn Kelleher
Lisa Laureano
Alana Maldonado
Kayla Manjorin-Russo
Shanice Orozco
Kat Pear
Karli Pitts
Babetta Pluguez
Ashley Polanco-Salguero
Brianna Prout
Tamara Ramos
Tiara Ramos
Julie Roche
Dariely Rosario
Shawn Ruffin
Jack Ruiz
Jaquelinee Santos Chur *
Nichole Schmidt
Amanda Serrano
Jaylynn Silva
Octavia Skinner *
Stephanie Smith
Genesis Soto
Diana Sotomayor *
Casey Spila
Rosaline Stokes
Ashley Stout
Brianna Thomas
Rachel White
Jazmyn Whitfield *
Patrick P. Bouchereau **
Alan J. Calle
Elena A. Chauhan
Ariana L. Concepcion
Bridget A. Crespo
Brianna R. Daroff
Nashaan Davis
Nicholas C. Diamante
Raven P. Diaz
Danielle Dick
Jenna Dimonte
Katie T. Do
Cynthia M. Duchantier
Shealee M. Dunne
Cassandra M. Fallas
Jennifer A. Flaherty
Natanael J. Friedman
Lucia C. Gaffney
Gabriel Galvez
Daniel J. Garcia
Alexander V. Garron
Gabriela S. Giglio
Maria P. Giraldo Baena
Katie I. Hernandez **
Natalia Hernandez
Karlie G. Hofmeister
Karley R. Jankowski
Berfin Karatepe
Rida Khan
Minah Kim
Kaylee E. Lacasse
Marina G. Laurent
Gianna Linde
Gianna M. Madden
Erika Manley
Soledad Martinez
Ashleigh S. Mastandrea
Jessica C. Maze
Samuel J. McIntyre
Dana K. Miller
Serfy Montano Fernandez
Cristylee Nagelbush
Nicole Naranjo
Gloria Olukotun
Aleksandra A. Ospelt
Jeffrey P. Patson
Crystal Paulino
Elaina Y. Perez Quezada **
Eva M. Phillips
Abigail R. Polito
Olivia N. Quinn
Gabriella N. Rahn
Alma P. Ramos Analco
Melanie C. Reynoso
Tess L. Rizzi
Shamoya Robinson
Mercedes Rosa
Juliana F. Salazar
Brittany Salerno
Jacqueline Sanchez-Garcia
Julie Y. Schwartz
Anna Sergunina
Mustapha I. Sesay
Shana A. Sheppard
Caitlin F. Slade
Chelsea A. Sloley
Charnell Smith
Curtis J. Sperrazza
Zoe A. Stahl
Vanessa A. Swartz
Kelly J. Thomas
Meagan Tighe
Gabriel D. Truch
Michael A. Trzesinski
Smeleden Vazquez
Ellen Walsh
Kathryn E. Wheatley
Rachel M. Whigham
Christopher J. Yacout
* January 2026 graduate ** Potential August 2026 graduate
DUAL DEGREE IN DIVINITY AND SOCIAL WORK
M.S.W./M.DIV.
Shannon Duke
Emma Elizabeth Marshall
Johanna T. Romano Matos
Sarah Elizabeth Scott
DUAL DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL WORK
M.S.W./M.A. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Stephanie Miriam Aslanyan
Sade Domonique Bramwell
Shana-Mae P. Gonzales
Marckinson Laine
A’naya Marie Miller
Delia Rose Mischel
DUAL DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL WORK
M.S.W./M.P.H.
Emily Joy Shulman Knopf
Nariah Afrykah McKnight
Asia Jamayé Ritger
Bria I. Styles
Aging and Health Certificate
Sarah Adler
Ashley Bartlett
Lauren Blumer
Margaret Chiappetta
Kayla Ciok
Joe Correa Jumbo
Vanity Crenshaw
Rachel Davis
Emma Eckenroth
Diana Griebell
Emily Gum
Claire Ibrahim
Kristen Indriso
Sarah Kim
Kylie Mandeville
Ekaterina Masienkova
Alfreda Neto-Niza
Nancey Pierre
Colette Reasonover
Lacey Rhein
Melanie Sosis
Christopher Stanley
Stephanie Talmadge
Carmen Torres
Tara Wehner
Lily Worster
Shan Zhong
Silver honor cord
Latina/o/x Initiatives for Service, Training & Assessment Certificate
Angelica Canales
Samuel Cruz
Elizabeth De Jong
Leanne Drum
Taina Figueroa
Ariana Flores
Jakcel Garcia
Lisa Gause
Elyannyery Germoso
Angelica Gomez Sencion
Nicole Gonzales
Joelys Gonzalez Bisono
Erika Gonzalez-Barragan
Karolain Guerrero
Solange Gutierrez
Eddilanny Hernandez Delgado
Stephanie Huembes
Jade Jaramillo
Leticia Jugo
Sarah Lewis
Tamaris Marquez Pimentel
Stephanie Munoz Wells
Angel Nunez-Velez
Sara O’ Neill
Ana Olivera
Angie Oliveros
Jenniffer Portorreal Escoto
Nishant Prakash
Laura Putzulu
Robinson Reyes Santos
Joselyn Robins
Jassmin Rocha
Vanesa Sanchez
Alejandra Sanchez-Medina
Diana Serquen
Marialuisa Solis
Rosario Tlapa-Baez
Diana Torres
Sussex Trinidad
Black, white and gold honor cord
Certificate in Promoting Child & Adolescent Well-Being
Brian Amigh
Grace Anderson
Carol Arroyo
Emma Baeyens
Marybeth Baisden
Tiffany Cannavo
Paige Carbone
Taylor Carmona
Nicole Cary
Chenell Chapman
Aaron Cohen
Kayleigh Craver
Amoreena Crispino
Jennifer Cruz Rodriguez
Tamika DeShields
Daniella Diggins
Lyndonna Edwards
Melissa Esposito
Gabriella Fogel
Sequoiah Fuentes
Lucia Garcia
Laura Gaviria Roldan
Ashleigh Giri
Amaris Grajales
Liza Griswold
Bryana Guerrero
Gabriella Hicken
Carli Hullihen
Carli Johnstin
Jessica Kardasz
Gabriela Kats
Kayla Kendrick
Kyle Kozak
Nicole Lenn
Virginia Lewis
Alessa Manuola
Katelyn McConnell
Fiona McDonald
Cara McGuire
Connie Mitchell
Brianna Mitschele
Gabriella Moulton
Alethea Mouzakes
Isabelle Murphy
Julia Najarian
Ashley Orr
Geraldine Ortiz
Debra Perlmutter
Sarah Phillips
Elina Roychowdhury
Isiah Sams
Samantha Santorelli
Haylee Schaefer
Sydney Schair
Katherine Schwartz
Haley Shaw
Audrey Shelley
Brigid Sieke
Julia Spano
Jadyn Sullivan
Andrew Mina Tawadros
Olivia Tutu
Julia Vallario
Leora Wasserman
Brooke West
Bailey Wielhouwer
Anna Xhumba
Amanda Zimmerman
Green honor cord
Certificate in Interpersonal Violence and Trauma
Stephany Aimarino
Mara Apodaca
Natasha Azad
Bailey Bertrand
Nicole Bivens
Emani Blackwell
Allison Brower
Danielle Brown
Kathleen Castanho
Jennifer Castro Jaramillo
Elizabeth Cohen
Cristina Concepcion Carlos
Shayla Constant
Erin Cosentino
Sarah Costa
Natalie De Cicco
Erica Desanguine
Erica Duverne
Adelyne Ehntholt
Adriana Elias Rodriguez
Melody Eric Bell-Gam
Alexandria Figueroa
Amber Freda
Darien Freda
Jessie Gage
Zeeli-Beth German
Princess-Zoe Godwin
Adelaide Groth-Tuft
Nicole Guarducci
Laquan Harris
Sarah Hartigan
Maximiliano Hogan Montalvo
Naomi Hunt
Alexandra Januzzi-Thomas
Barbara Johnson
Sara Jones
Emily Knopf
Candace Kosted
Jenifer Kryzanowski
Shannon Kutcher
Heejun Lee
Danika Leon
Brionna Lewis
Jenna Lorenz
Tiffany Lowe
Toni Anne Mac Lean
Rhett Mercury
Olivia Miller-Hernandez
Elana Mitchell-Mills
Lisette Nazario
Elise Pajot-Keiler
Rachel Parsons
Martin Pena
Samantha Piesco
Qendresa Pilku
Brandi Pray
Ashley Purvis
Ameena Qobrtay
Juliana Raith
Rachel Richard
Leslie Rodriguez
Johanna Romano Matos
Naomi Romm
Nicole Saldanha
Serenity Sanders
Tierra Sanders
Mackenzie Santoro
Morgan Santoro
Kelly Schaffer
Tahreem Shakaib
Olivia Skervin
Chloe Sklans
Andrea Soper
Shala Staple
Samara Sutton
Tiffany Thompson
Luke Thorpe
Jenny Torres
Erikka Wesley
Kiwuani Williams
Patricia Williams
Cameron Wylie
Asia Yarbrough
Aranxa Zapata
Jenna Zucker
Purple honor cord
Addiction Counselor Training Certificate
Lauren Almeida
Samantha Balling
Keron Best
Samantha Castro
Julieanne Chavez
Edward Chung
Jonathan Curl
Melanie Curry
Alyssa Delsorbo
Rebecca Finkel
Jennifer Fox
Jennifer Green
Jacob Koerkel
Victoria Levine
Alyssa McClure
Chantel McLean
Henry Nawn
Louis Polise
Julia Rios
Julie Silberman
Marninah Sloan
Rupert Thomas
Matthew Wickman
Gabriella Wolfmuller
White honor cord
Human Services Management Certificate
Adekemi Abegunde Ojo
Sarah Adler
Shalisa Alba
Shillah Amira
Carelys Andino
Gabriella Aponte
Stephanie Aslanyan
Danielle Brown
Aneika Carter
Claire Ciardiello
Rael Crews
Matthew Dadaille
Tamika DeShields
Dernina Desir
Meghan Dolan
Shannon Duke
Kimberly Ebo
Essence Elston-Wilson
Melody Eric Bell-Gam
Khaleeq Fowler
Rhode-Taina Gardere
Stephanie Gomez-Vanegas
Cory Griffin
Ebony Hicks
Nyasia Ingram
Barbara Johnson
Ruthann Keim-Traylor
Jada Kennedy
Caroline Kiessling
Ava Kwan
Marckinson Laine
Danika Leon
Brionna Lewis
Kristy Li
Daphney Louis
Toni Anne Mac Lean
Natalie Machavariani
Deonna Mahana
Mona Mahapatra
Kai Martin
Daniel Maslak
Delia Mischel
Ebonia Moody
Alexandra Moya
Dylan Nunez
Allison Osorio
Elise Pajot-Keiler
Raylian Pardo
Remby Perry
Brandi Pray
Jesenya Quiles
Serene Rahman
Colette Reasonover
Michelle Rodriguez
Dominique Roundtree
Laura Savitsky
Valerie Sems
Munazzah Shahbaaz
Jacob Skurchak
Julia Spano
Rebecca Sragow
Keisha Stuger
Isaiah Torres
Joseph Tozzi
Theodore Ward
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK B.A.S.W. STUDENT ASSOCIATION
Graduating Executive Council Members
Camden Chapter
Genesis Soto – Vice President
Payton Keen – Secretary
New Brunswick Chapter
Raven Diaz – President
Juliana Salazar – Event Coordinator
V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D., Professor of Teaching - Faculty Advisor
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK M.S.W. STUDENT ASSOCIATION
Graduating Executive Council Members
Gabriella Moulton – Co-Chair
Alessa Manuola – New Brunswick Representative
Samantha Muller – Camden Representative
Jamie Frank – Clinical Representative
Samuel Cruz – Clinical Representative
Stephaine Gomez-Vanegas – Management & Policy Representative
Erikka Wesley – Online Program Representatives
Chantaya King, M.S.W., Academic Advisor and M.S.W. Student Association Advisor
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Michael A. Lindsey, M.S.W., M.P.H., Ph.D. Dean of the Silver School of Social Work
Dr. Michael A. Lindsey is a leading scholar in child and adolescent mental health and an expert on Black youth suicide. He serves as the Dean of NYU Silver School of Social Work and is an Aspen Health Innovators Fellow. Dr. Lindsey has advised the Congressional Black Caucus on Black Youth Suicide and chaired the working group of experts behind the influential report Ring the Alarm: The Crisis of Black Youth Suicide in America. He is President of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP) in Social Work, and serves on the New York City Board of Health.
Previously, Dr. Lindsey was Executive Director of the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research. He serves on the editorial boards of Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, Psychiatric Services, and School Mental Health. The politics news outlet City & State New York has recognized him in the 2026 Trailblazers in Health Care list, and prior power lists covering Health, Higher Education and Mental Health. He holds a PhD and MPH from the University of Pittsburgh, an MSW from Howard University, and a BA from Morehouse College.
FACULTY
Ayse Akincigil, M.A., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Edward J. Alessi, M.S.W., Ph.D. Professor
Mary Beth Ali, M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Teaching
Vivien (Wen Li) Anthony, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor
Victoria Banyard, M.A., Ph.D. Distinguished Professor and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D. Professor of Teaching, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education and Director of the Baccalaureate (BASW)Program, New Brunswick
Danielle Beatty Moody, M.A., Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Chancellor’s Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Multilevel Racism and Life Span Health and Aging
Douglas Behan, M.S.W., D.S.W. Associate Professor of Professional Practice and Director of Continuing Education
Natalie Bembry, M.A., M.S.W., Ed.D.
Assistant Professor of Teaching and Director of the Baccalaureate (BASW) Program, Camden
Mariann Bischoff, M.S., M.S.W.
Assistant Professor of Teaching and Management and Policy Practicum Learning Specialist
Marla Blunt-Carter, M.S.W. Associate Professor of Professional Practice for Political Social Work
Emily Adlin Bosk, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor
Qiana L. Brown, M.S.W., M.P.H., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Elsa Candelario, M.S.S.W., D.S.W.
Professor of Professional Practice and Director of the M..S.W. Program and Director of the Latina/o/x Initiatives for Service, Training, and Assessment (L.I.S.T.A.) Certificate Program
Christine Chapais, M.S.W., D.S.W., Assistant Professor of Teaching and Director of Online M.S.W. Programs
Ryon Cobb, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and ChancellorProvost’s Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Research on Black Americans
Sandra Edmonds Crewe, M.S.W, Ph.D. Sojourner Truth Social & Racial Justice Visiting Professor
Stephen Crystal, M.A., Ph.D. Distinguished Research Professor
Laura Cuesta, M.A., Ph.D. Associate Professor
Julia Cusano, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Research Professor
Maxine Davis, M.S.W., M.B.A., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and ChancellorProvost’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 of the Office of Global Social Work Programs
Ryan DiMeglio, M.S.W.
Assistant Professor of Teaching and CoDirector of the Addiction Counselor Training (A.C.T.) Certificate Program
Richard L. Edwards, A.M., Ph.D.
Distinguished University Professor, Dean Emeritus and Chancellor Emeritus, Rutgers – New Brunswick
Antoinette Y. Farmer, M.S., Ph.D. Professor, Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Adrian Gale, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
FACULTY
E. Goldblatt Hyatt, M.S.W., M.B.E., D.S.W. Associate Professor for Reproductive Justice and Director of the Doctorate of Social Work (D.S.W.) Program
Emily A. Greenfield, M.S., Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Hub for Aging Collaboration
Anna Haley, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor
Caroline Harmon-Darrow, M.S.W, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Bernardo Hiraldo, M.S.W. Assistant Professor of Teaching, Associate Director of Practicum Learning and Camden Campus Coordinator
Chien-Chung Huang, M.S.W., Ph.D. Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Tawanda L. Hubbard, M.S.W., D.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor of Professional Practice
Amml Hussein, M.S.W., Ed.D. Associate Professor of Teaching
Ashley Jackson, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Rachel John, M.S.W., M.P.H., Ph.D. Assistant Professor and ChancellorProvost’s Scholar for Inclusive Excellence for Immigrant and Refugee Health
Michael Myungkook Joo, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor
Woojin Jung, M.S.W., M.P.P, Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Christine E. Kephart, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Teaching and D.S.W. Program Writing Instructor
Joy Jeounghee Kim, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor
Mark W. Lamar, M.S.W., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Professional Practice and and Executive Director of the Office of Practicum Learning
George S. Leibowitz, M.S.W, Ph.D. Dean and Distinguished Professor
Jack Lewis, M.S.W., D.S.W. Associate Professor of Professional Practice and Director of the Intensive Weekend M.S.W. Program
Jamey Lister, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor
Angela Malorni, M.S.W., M.P.A., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Katherine Marçal, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Judith L. McCoyd, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor and Associate Director of Doctoral Programs
Sarah McMahon, M.S.W., Ph.D. Professor and Director of the Center for Research on Ending Violence
Christine Morales, M.S.W., Ed.D. Assistant Professor of Teaching and Assistant Dean of Lecturer Support
Cory Morton, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Research Professor
Felix Muchomba, M.P.H., Ph.D. Associate Professor
Lenna Nepomnyaschy, M.S.W., Ph.D. Professor
Lia Nower, J.D., Ph.D. Distinguished Professor, Associate Dean for Research, Director of the Center for Gambling Studies and Co-Director of the Addiction Counselor Training (A.C.T.) Certificate Program
Michael Park, M.S., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and ChancellorProvost’s Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Racial Minority Health
N. Andrew Peterson, M.A., Ph.D.
FACULTY
Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Prevention Science
Cathryn C. Potter, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor, Dean Emerita
Kristen Gilmore Powell, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Associate Research Professor and Associate Director, Center for Prevention Science
Chiara Sabina, M.A., Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Center for Research on Ending Violence and Chancellor’s Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Interpersonal Violence Research
Tangela Sawyerr, M.S.W., M.A., D.S.W.
Assistant Professor of Teaching and Assistant Director of Student Affairs
Nancy Schley, M.S.W.
Assistant Professor of Teaching and Associate Director of Practicum Learning
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 Ph.D. Program
Karun Singh, M.S.W., Ph.D. Professor of Teaching
Lauren Snedeker, M.S.W., D.S.W
Assistant Professor of Teaching and Director of the Aging and Health (A&H) Certificate Program
Simone Snyder, M.S.W., D.S.W.
Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of the Interpersonal Violence & Trauma (I.V.T.) Certificate Program
Jackie F. Stanmyre, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and 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
Arelis Tapia-Vargas, M.S.W., D.S.W. Teaching Instructor and Director of the Certificate on Child Well-Being (Ch.A.P.) Program
Trinay V. Thomas, M.S.W.
Assistant Professor of Teaching and Associate Director of Practicum Learning and Newark Campus Coordinator
Emmy Tiderington, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor
Mark van der Maas, M.A., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Grant Victor, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Durrell M. Washington Sr., M.S.W., Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Abigail Williams-Butler, M.S., M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
Allison Zippay, M.S.W, Ph.D. Professor
Karen A. Zurlo, M.B.A., M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Professor
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
George S. Leibowitz, M.S.W., Ph.D. Dean
Antoinette Y. Farmer, M.S., Ph.D.
Interim Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Chien-Chung Huang, M.S.W., Ph.D. Associate Dean for Faculty Development
Lia Nower, Ph.D., J.D.
Associate Dean for Research and Director of the Center for Gambling Studies
Sharon A. Fortin, M.H.R.M.
Associate Dean for Administration and Finance
V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education and Director of the Baccalaureate (BASW) Program, New Brunswick
Arlene M. Hunter, M.A.
Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Christine Morales, M.S.W., Ed.D. Assistant Dean for Lecturer Support
Laura A. DiMarcantonio, M.Ed., Ph.D. Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment
Emily A. Greenfield, M.S., Ph.D. Director of the Hub for Aging Collaboration
Cassandra Simmel, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director of the Ph.D. Program
E. Goldblatt Hyatt, M.S.W., M.B.E., D.S.W. Director of the D.S.W. Program
Elsa Candelario, M.S.S.W., D.S.W. Director of the Master of Social Work Program and Director of the Latina/o/x Initiatives for Service, Training, and Assessment (L.I.S.T.A.) Certificate Program
Christine Chapais, M.S.W., D.S.W. Director of Online M.S.W. Programs
Jack Lewis, M.S.W., D.S.W. Director of the Intensive Weekend M.S.W. Program
Natalie Bembry, M.S.W., M.A., Ed.D. Director of the Baccalaureate Social Work Program (Camden)
Mark Lamar, M.S.W., M.B.A. Executive Director of Practicum Learning
Theresa McCutcheon, M.S.W., M.B.A. Director of the Institute for Families
Rebecca Davis, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director of the Office of Global Social Work Programs
N. Andrew Peterson, M.A., Ph.D. Director of the Center for Prevention Science
Sarah McMahon, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director of the Center for Research on Ending Violence
Samantha Michaele, M.B.A. Director of Business Services
Tibor Purger, M.A., M.S. Director of Information Technology
Laurie Zazenski, M.A. Director of Communications
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
Outstanding Professor for Innovative and Creative Teaching
Most Supportive Professor
Outstanding 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
Brian C. Wright Social Work Award
These students were nominated for an Outstanding M.S.W. Student Award
Shalisa Alba
Gabriella Aponte
Lauren Blumer
Alex Camacho
Aneika Carter
Margaret Chiappetta
Rose Ciglar
Sarah Costa
Samuel Cruz
Erica Desanguine
Dernina Desir
Melody Eric Bell-Gam
Alexandria Figueroa
Rhode-Taina Gardere
Laura Gaviria Roldan
Joseph Glicksberg
Diana Griebell
Karolain Guerrero
Matthew Jacobs
Marissa Klass
Emily Knopf
Ashali Kumar
Shannon Kutcher
Danika Leon
Tamaris Marquez Pimentel
Lauren McFarland
Fionna Mezzarina
Jennifer Moon
Jonathan Morris
Lisette Nazario
Dylan Nunez
Allison Osorio
Elise Pajot-Keiler
Alexandria Porrini
Ameena Qobrtay
Rachel Richard
Dominique Roundtree
Roselyn Sandiford
Sydney Schair
Valerie Sems
Marialuisa Solis
Julia Spano
Isaiah Torres
Julia Vallario
Flor Vasquez-Vallejo
Maria Vazquez
Leora Wasserman
Asia Yarbrough
Shan Zhong
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 five dual degrees: MSW/MA in Criminal Justice, MSW/MPH with the School of Public Health, MSW/MPP with the School of Public Planning, MSW/JD with the Rutgers Law School, and MSW/M.Div. with the Princeton Theological Seminary, as well as a joint MSW/Ph.D. degree.
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.
Alumni Quotient
What’s your score?
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. To earn your highest alumni quotient (AQ), use this list to start your life-long connection with the School.
Have you reached your full AQ (alumni quotient)?
Calculate your AQ score by taking part in the following ways:
o Share your convocation day photos with the hashtag #RUSSW2025.
o Update your contact information at alumni.rutgers.edu/connect/update-your-info
o Make a gift in honor of what you loved at the SSW: a professor, a class, or program at socialwork.rutgers.edu/giving.
o Follow us on social media (@RutgersSSW) and join the conversation at #RutgersSSW.
o Enroll in a continuing education class to earn your professional CEUs by visiting socialwork.rutgers.edu/ce.
o Send a class note to lzazenski@ssw.rutgers.edu to be included in the next alumni magazine.
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 Library Service / Lemon Business Administration, Commerce / Drab Medicine / Green City and Regional Planning / Brown Music / Pink Communication and Information Nursing / Apricot Studies / Gray Oratory-Speech / Silver Gray Economics / Copper Pharmacy / Olive Green Education / Light Blue Philosophy / Blue Engineering / Orange Physical Education / Sage Green Fine Arts, Architecture / Brown Public Administration / Peacock Blue Human Resources Management / Dusk Science / Golden Yellow Journalism / Dark Crimson Social Work / Citron Labor and Employment Relations / Peacock Blue 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.
With your Rutgers degree, you are joining a global network of more than 600,000 alumni.
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Rutgers University Alumni A ssociation
Rutgers University Alumni A ssociation
Rutgers Alumni