School of Social Work
MAY 2024
T I O
C O N V O C A
N
ORDER OF EXERCISES
THE PROCESSIONAL Majestic Brass Quintet GONFALONIER
Michael C. LaSala, M.S.W., Ph.D. Professor
NATIONAL ANTHEM
DEAN’S GREETING
CHANCELLOR’S GREETING
FACULTY AND STAFF
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
Richard L. Edwards, A M., Ph.D. Interim Dean, Chancellor Emeritus and Distinguished University Professor
Francine Conway, Ph.D. Chancellor and Distinguished Professor Rutgers University–New Brunswick
Richard L. Edwards, A.M., Ph.D. HONORS AND AWARDS
CONVOCATION SPEAKER
PH.D. DISSERTATION AWARD
PRESENTATION OF PH.D.
Susan Parish, M.S.W., Ph.D. President, Mercy University
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
PRESENTATION OF M.S.W.
Patricia A. Findley, M.S.W., Dr.P.H. Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Tymeera A. Freeman M.S.W. Class of 2024
Edward Alessi, M.S.W., Ph.D. DEGREE CANDIDATES Director of the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Program and Associate Professor
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
FINAL COMMENTS
Arlene M. Hunter, M.A. Assistant Dean for Student Affairs
Richard L. Edwards, A M., 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.
PH.D. GRADUATES
October 2023
Catherine Buttner
Dissertation Chair: Antoinette Farmer, M.S., Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: Exploring Experiences of Intersectional Reproductive Justice Across The Lifespan for Assigned Female At Birth Black Women
Michael Enich
Dissertation Chair: N. Andrew Peterson, M.A., Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: Identifying Homelessness in Medicaid Claims: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Rutgers University and Louis Bevier Dissertation Completion Fellowship Recipient Rutgers Institute for Health Howard Leventhal Trainee Scholarship Recipient
Addam Reynolds
Dissertation Chair: Emily A. Greenfield, M.A., Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: The Role of Social Positions In Associations Between Early-Life Circumstances And Cognitive Aging: A Work Towards Aging Equity
January 2024
Alexandra Haralampoudis
Dissertation Chair: Lenna Nepomnyaschy, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: Variation in State Tax Burden & Family Well-being
Rutgers University Presidential Fellowship Recipient
Alicia Mendez
Dissertation Chair: Cassandra Simmel, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: The Intergenerational Transmission of Intrafamilial Sexual-Abuse Related Trauma: An Exploration of Family Stories Between Mothers And Children Raised As Daughters
Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Dissertation Award Recipient
Member of the Rutgers University School of Social Work Doctoral Student Association
Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Doctoral Student Committee
Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Board Member and Doctoral Student at Large
May 2024
Yafan Chen
Dissertation Chair: Chien-Chung Huang, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Dissertation Title: The Effects of Child Maltreatment and Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence on Child Behavioral Outcomes: An Examination of the Severity, Frequency, and Co-Occurrence
Member of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Student Mentoring Sub-Committee
Advisory Council Member for the Child Well-Being Research Network (CWRN)
Sharon Lyn Bale-Peña
Area of Focus: Mental Health in Schools
Erin M. Capone
Area of Focus: Philanthropy and Social Justice
Michelle Dodge
Area of Focus: Post Separation Abuse and Violence
Amy Geller
Area of Focus: Clinical Social Work with Adolescent & Adult Adoptees
Zan Haggerty
Area of Focus: Gender Affirming Care and Suicidality Among Trans Adults
Tanora Latreice Ligons
Area of Focus: Exploring the Lived Experiences of African American Men in Substance Abuse and Mental Health Treatment
Crystal Dawn Mathews Area of Focus: Offering Hope for Veterans Experiencing Moral Injury
Scarlett Mera Area of Focus: The Role of Support Systems in Doctoral Education
Jenna Lee Paparozzi Area of Focus: The Significance of Clinical Supervision in Social Work Practice and Client Care
Queenie Reda Area of Focus: Asian Mental Health and Access and Support to Underserved and Under Resourced Populations
Tempestt Alexandra Williams Area of Focus: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture in Substance Use Treatment
Lizet Zuñiga Area of Focus: Addressing the Needs of Educators Facing Challenges with Self-Care
2024 M.S.W. GRADUATES
Georgiana Abdelmoety
Amanda Nicole Acchione
Sabrina D. Adabunu
Julia T. Adamkiewicz
Ashley Victoria Adams
Ameah V. Adjobi*
Diana Elizabeth Aguirre
Dzifa Abla Ahadzi-Addawoo
Elizabeth Barbara Ahr
Sophia Rose Aiello
Justine Alameda
Lea Morgan Albarran
Patricia Albino
Alyssa Ali*
Syeda Sakina Ali-Jaffry
Angela Myéisha Allen
Tangela Allen*
Deven Miguel Alvarez
Odalys Arias*
Jeffrey Arnold
Idalizes Asgarali
Karen Jean Avitabile-Casas
Rahat Azim*
Tia Sharese Babb
Le'tisha Badger
Elizabeth Kristen Baginski*
Rachel Balser
Reana Janet Barakakos
Laura Siyi Barber
Marissa Sierra Barbosa
Khadijah Barchue
Sasha Barias*
Elizabeth M Barone
Erica Marie Barron*
2024 D.S.W. GRADUATES
Emily Marilyn Barth
Whitney Jeanne Bashor*
Eva Maria Becerra
Ace Begu
Viktoriya Bell
Sarah Joyce Betros*
Marissa Rose Beyer
Marina Emad Bishara
Michelle R. Blair
Patricia Bober
Jenna Lynn Bonstein
Jan Molony Bookwalter
Caitlin Michele Bopp
Briana D. Borges
Joshua Antonio Bouson
Diane Bower*
Rachel Elisabeth Boyce
Gabrielle M. Boykins
Aimée Françoise Brill
Maxwell R. Broggi-Sumner
Akeem D. Brown*
Amanda Bruno*
Madison N. Bunn
Unique Tamilah Bunn
Candice Marie Burgess
Ny'Asia Adaya Bussie
Brielle Rae Bustamante
Isatis Cabrera*
Nadine M. Cadavez*
Maritza Caguana
Isabella Evadney Callender*
Crystal Camacho
Kellie Nicole Camarda
Kadaisha Cameron
Amanda Ray Cao
Juliana Elizabeth Cardarelli
Nyajia Carlos*
Laura Carr*
Genevieve Carranza
Olivia Mumford Carrara
Andreina Castillo
Nellybe Castillo
Michelle Estefania Castruita
Kevin John Caufield
Carla Gabriela Cedeno Caraballo
Julia Marie Celeste
Tania Choudhury
Ciara Civitello
Kayana Akielia Clue
Izabella Ivy Coles
Brian Jose Collado
Rebecca Ann Collette*
Kurstin Elizabeth Collins
Christine Colombrita*
Yahaira M. Colon
Lauren Ann Conlon
Robert Walter Cook Jr.
Dorothy Naber Allen Cooke*
Jodie Caroline Cornwell
Jordan Crater
Julia Marie Critchfield
Debra Crossman
Tara Maria Cruz
Shalaa Fatimah Cureton
Adrianna Josephine Daddario
Mckayla M. Dalton
Nailani Sophia Daniel*
Brooke D'Antonio
Allyson Jordan Danyo
Renee Vanet Darden
Jessica Lauren Daubenberger
Cara Gabrielle Daunno*
Najah Tevya Davila-Griffin*
Mary W. Davis
Sandra Marie Davis
Emma Nicole De Gennaro
Dana Marie De Mola*
Lilliana Pearl De Paul
Isabella P. De Sousa
Sally Anne De Vera
Chiara A. DeCandia
Claire Butler DeLong*
Ashley Nichole DeMain
Amanda Nicole Devaney*
Jack Donnie DiMarco
Gabriela Gisela Diaz*
Stephanie E. Diaz
Vincent Anthony Digioia-Laird
Kadian Natasha Dillon*
Sabrina Diwane
Alan Dodd
Brynn Kathleen Doherty
Nicholas Ray Domanico Jr.
Gianna Dominguez
Odalis Dominguez Flores
Cleonilde Nina Dominici*
Kathleen Drake
Bassirou Sheykhoul Drame
Nadine Brielle Driver*
Sierra Drumbore
Georgina P. Duker
Johanna Rose Durazzi
Donnajean Katharine Ebert
Zacķ Elmaati
Gina B. Elwassemmi
Casidy Myiah Emile
Dorotea Shanelle Enriquez
Shelly Escobal
Gianela E. Espinoza
Sofia Rose Eugenio
Gerdene Andrea Facey
Angela Marie Fackina
Jennifer E. Famulary
Yael Feder
Rebecca Claire Feld*
Emma Feldhake
Laura Maria Feliz Macario
Altagracia Fernandez
Susan M. Ferrante
Hailey Marie Finocchio
Alexandra Jean Flanders*
Carly Elizabeth Flood
Marielena Theresa-Mae Flores
Julia Flum
Challes L'ozile Foley
Graceann Fontana*
Jennifer Lucy Fowles*
Margaret Joanna Beane Fox
Paul Joseph Frabizzio
Kedra K. Francis-Hampden
Cleide Frank
Abigale Renee Furey*
Alyssa Rose Gagliardi*
Joshua James Gallagher
Jennifer N. Gallegos
Selenne Arely Galvez Hernandez
Belanna Gans
Catherine Oyola Garcia
Jacqueline Garcia
Larissa Marie Garcia
Sara Frances Garcia
Cody Garrison*
Larissa Denise Gatto Ruben*
Marsha Gauntlett-Kirby
Alyssa Marie Geczi
Justine Gendy
Amanda Marie Gerko*
Nicole A. Giancaspro*
Delaney Brooke Gibbs
Charles Giraldo
Isabella Josephine Godish
Sarah Anna Algazi Goldfield
Maria Isabel Gómez
Yilians Gonzalez
Samson Josephine Gordon*
Aaliyah Desireé Gordy-Evans
Sydnie Goshin
Maria Helena Grasso
Shannon Noelle Gray
Trinity Autmn Gray
Kylie Elizabeth Greco
Allison Victoria Gregory*
Samantha Lynn Griffith
Basya Gruber
Kathleen Elizabeth Hale
Deborah Halpern
Kiera Arlene Hampton
Shaconda Lizette Hargrove
Katherine Lynn Harris*
Kurt William Hartig Jr.
Gina Denise Harvell
Andryana Henao
Ivanna Alexandra Heredia
Nayely Rashell Hermida Ortiz
Marco A. Hernandez
Samiya Jani Heyward*
Mulenğa Hibbert
Tricia I. Hibbert
Brandon J. Hickey
Stacey Lynn Hill*
Gina Nicole Hoffman*
Deyanna N. Holmes
Holly Leigh Honeywell
Victoria Jenelle Horner
Maria Paula Hoseit*
Andrew D. Huff
Elizabeth S. Hughes
Quasan Jamil Hunter-Redmond*
Tatyana Ikhelson
Branden Javier Irving
Makayla Elizabeth Jack
Frank D. Jacob
Brittani Simone James
Donna L. Jenkins
Hilary S. Jimenez*
Kassandra Jimenez
Sherrvell Anjeliqué Johnson
Sydney Joice-Casey
Angela Michelle Jones
Dai'shona Jones
Tishawna Alisha Jones-Miller
Branden Alexander Jorge
Gabrielle Jiyeon Kang
Jessica Michel Karger*
Emily M. Karlowski*
Zehra Kazi
Gillian Maureen Kee
Ellen T. Kelleher
Summer Elizabeth Kellers
Jenna Michelle Kelly
Khaleya Javon Kelly
Grace Anne Kenny*
Chloe Hannah Kent
Liam Kerwin
Grace Haemin Kim
Aprill King*
Chanel King*
Thomas Kinloch
Giorgina M. Kirner
Rachel J. Kitchen
Nina Stephanie Klimko
Emily Morgan Knight*
Jacob Christopher Kopach
Emily Casey Kotarski
Jacqueline Keegan Krantz
Coco W. Kuebler
Danielle M. Kuhn
Olamide Comfort Kunle-Lawanson
Lorraine Marie Labus
Victor Andres Ladino
April Elizabeth Lange*
Taylor Dakota Lange
Carly Larosa*
Francesca Ann Lawrence*
Sthefany Laynes
Gerardo Leal
Claire Elizabeth Leberman
Phillip Ledig
Julia Evelyn Lee
Alison M. Lemke
Jenieris Leonardo-Diaz
Jude Lerissant
Hen Lerrer*
Maria D. Lewis
Tiwanna Evette Lewis
Emily J. Lioudis*
Kaitlyn Anne LiPuma
Courtney M. Livingston
Jasmine D. Logan
Edna Lopez
Maria Del Cisne Lopez
Grace Frances Lorenzo
Morgan Luciani
Danielle N. Luczak
Kelly Ruth Mac Donald
Stefanie Mach*
Daniella Pilar Maffei*
Michael Joseph Maffei Jr.
Monica M Magner
Kyra Jordan Makowsky
Erin Marie Malin*
Alexandria Marie Mancini
Cathryn Theresa Mancini*
Lauren Nicole Manley
Sofia Rae Mannarino
Sarah Lydia Manship
Dana Lynn Manson
Samantha Marer*
Catherine Ann Margel
Evelyn M. Martinez*
Rachel Lee Martinez Girgis
Angelica Montserrat Martinez-Analco
Leah R Martucci
Ramona Mateo*
Jane Elizabeth Matto
Anthony Matthew Mazakas
Chelsea Caroline McCluskey
Brittany K McConville
Molly Catherine McCormack
Nora Felicia McCormick
Aleah Sari McCoy
Natayia D. McCray*
Allison S. McDonald*
Madelyn Kate McGee
Kathleen Doyle McGraw*
Aizhaneiya La-Kasha McKenzie
Gabrielle Elizabeth McLean
Kimberly R. Meersma
Emma Grace Melhorn
Mavet Sarai Mendez
Ma Socorro Diego Mendoza
Sophia Menos
Jillian Nicole Merolle*
Daniel Delate Mervil
Samantha Messeck*
Ingrid A Meza
Kristin Marie Vindler Michaelson
Sarah J Michaliszyn
Sherley Michel-Williams*
Raven Mackenzie Mickens
Ruth A Midianga
Emily Mae Miller*
Rita Marie Mirabelli
Jenny Karina Miranda*
Aliyah Nicole Mitchell
Tahanie Mitchell
Akeem Anil Mohammed*
Amy Belle Edrada Molina
Carly Shannon Monaco
Lucila Montes-Valdez
Cheyenne Moore
Isabel Monserrat Mora
Elizabeth Morales*
Vanessa Vieira Morales
Conor Martin Moran
Shannon E. Morris*
Britney Morrison*
Caitlin Rose Morrone
Gregory Mowle*
Sabriya M. Muhammad
Shanteia L. Murphy
Jada Sierra Nicole Murray
Lorenzo Pernell Nash Sr.
Christopher Alan Nettles*
Onyinye Ngozika Nnajiofor
Courtney Novak
Christine Marie Nucera
Hope Tifany Nunez
Natalie M Nuñez
Benjamin Nusbaum-Kieserman*
Ebunoluwa Felicia Ogunnowo
Mary Temitayo Olagadeyo*
Lauren Elizabeth Oldock
Natalie Oller
Zachary Matthew Olsen*
Analee Elizabeth Olsson
Amogè Eva Omeronyè
Mary Chris Alvero Ong
Synique Chantel Orange
Heidi R. Orellana
Breanna Christine Ortiz
Marisol Ortiz-Gely
Kimberly Rachel Ortiz-Samayoa
Karin Otto
Julia Ann Ozoroski
Andrew Padilla
Rosalia Alexis Pagan
Kimberly I Paguay
Rudy Palma*
Melany Juliana Pamplona
Crystal Paniagua
Tiffany Samantha Parchment
Mark Joseph Parker-Magyar
Dhruva D. Patel
Jennifer Patricio
Sean Pavlow*
Jocelyn Pelaez
Patrycja Pelinko
Andy Emilio Perales
Nelson Perez
Cindy Perez Vasquez
Kaitlynn Andrea Peters
Jennifer Faythe Peterson
Nicole Peterson
Daniel Patrick Petrille*
Haley Loretta Piccinich
Taylor K. Pickett-Stokes
Shirley Pierre*
Gabriella R. Porcelli
Shelley D. Porter
Ruth E Portocarrero
Fiona Marie Potter
Milagros L Puelles
Morgan Quinn*
Heather Lynn Radak
Rachel C Raghunandan
Philip Francis Raleigh Jr.
Jessica Emily Reich*
Kristen Amber Reid-Ortiz*
Jessica Ann Reinhold
Jillian Nicole Rentenberg
Arielis Enid Reyes
Ashley Idilia Reynoso*
Michelle Johanna Ribsam
Brittany Sharrice Riley
Dennis Fernando Rivera
Ricky J Rivera
Catherine Elizabeth Rizzotti
Kiafa Lavette Robinson
Aidan Roche
Zoraida Bianca Rodgers-Rivera
Meląņie Peres Rodrigues
Danielle Rodriguez
Isabel Rodriguez
Marissa A. Rogers*
Alexandra Lou Roman
Mauricio Roman*
Boris M. Rorer*
Britney Marie Rosato
Jesse L. Rosenberg*
Lydia Arden Ross*
Steven Thomas Rowe
Tia Renee Ruffin-Clary
Ruth Rocio Ruiz*
Ilona Ruvinova
Calvin Greyson Ryan
Hanne Nur Safak
Dalia Saleh
Jill A. Salerno
Sophia W Salmon*
Kayla Rose Saltzman
Carol A. Salvagione*
Yanira Erlyn Sanchez
Nancy Sanjines*
Madison Monet Santa Lucia
Siarra Michele Santiago
Jamie Lee Santopietro
Jana A. Sasser
Faith Wang Saychaleune
Tiyana Nikia Scarlett
Sierra Lyn Schiff
Taylor Michelle Schnorbus
Joey Steven Schollenberger
Katherine Schwartz
Kendra Ruth Seitz*
Gabrielle Allona-Marie Self
Haili Shah
Marisa Ann Shapley*
Steven Ray Sharpe*
Brandi D. Shaw
Nayelly Yamileh Siguencia
Emma Marie Skelly
Sophie Isabella Sklar
Brian Keith Smalls Jr *
Annalee Smith
Hannah Peri Smith
Lauren Sandra Sorrentino*
Suzanne Corinne Sorrento
Jamika Spellman
Victoria A. Spencer*
April Jennifer Stallone
Jetta Starkweather
Osh'Nique Lashay Stephenson*
Jack Edward Stovall Jr.
Elizabeth Claire Stumpf*
Rachel Stutzman
Luke Anthony Stymest
Christina Marie Sullivan
Nora Colleen Sullivan
Kylie Pearl Sutton
Ganaia Iman Swinton
Isabel Long-Yin Szeto
Paola Talley
Elizabeth A. Tamargo
Samantha Josephine Tanzola*
Julia Taormina
Jazmine Tatis
Lily Teichmann
Fatima Isabel Tejada
Gabriela Alexandra Tejada
Yornelis Tejada
Alexandra Tennill
Jakea Khanam Thania
Heather Leigh Thomas
Tyra Thomas*
Catherine Claire Thompson
Bernard Todd III*
Ana M. Toro
Christina Clara Torres
Mariah Angelica Torres
Stephanie Alexandra Torres*
Daniela Tropeano
Alexis Nicole Trusiani
Caitlyn Tumulty
Kelly S. Turcios
Michael B Turner
Sarah Gabriella Turner*
Nicholas S. Twomey*
Shama Deepak Vaidya
Rosalynn Valette
Agny Gabriela Valle
Lurde Vasquez
Nicole Elizabeth Vega
Silvia Judith Velasquez
Romina Ventura
Valerie M Walburn
Clayton Lindsay Walton*
Deborah Wang
Gianna Nicole Wedwaldt
Amy Weeks
Tevin D. Weems
Kayleigh A Wharton
Rhonda L. Wiggins*
Allyson Marie Williams
Chloe Elizabeth Williams
Mia Williams
Wendell Williams*
Kristen Alice Wimmer
Sierra Marie Winder*
Jonelle Windham
Andrea Winzer
Veronica D. Wise
Jamyra Ja'nel Witherspoon
Taylor Isabelle Wojtowicz
Sarah Victoria Wolfson*
Rebekah Worth
Kierstyn Wynkoop
Chen Xia
Hollyann Cooper Yannacone
Zanyah Carina Yarborough
Katerina Yelizarov
Veronique X Yeo
Seonah Yoon
Nathan T Young*
Riley Miller Young
Rachel Marie Zadlock
Adrienne A. Zappia
Alejandra Sofia Zelasco
Katelyn Angela Zornes
Elizabeth B. Zubritsky*
* January 2024 graduate Candidate list is correct as of April 22, 2024
M.S.W.
STUDENTS WITHIN 9 CREDITS OF DEGREE COMPLETION
Karlie Abbatiello
Carly Adams
Frank Adao
Anyily Agudelo
Elizabeth Ajello
Patrick Allred
Olga Aramini
Deanna Augustin
Amanda Axelrod
Sajayah Baker
Karyn Barrera
Hailey Beck
Alyssa Bowling
Tiiera Broxton
Ashley Bryant
Aime Camana
Louise Victoria Cancino
Danielle Cannon
Shayna Chamish
Eliana Cohen
Octavia Collins
Natalie Cortez
Rachel Craig
Kayla Cristofoletti
Courtney Crocker
Stephanie Cruz
Andrea De La Cruz
Amanda Dembowski
Mary Rei Derecho
Kristin Di Vico
Darrian Dodson
Bianca Dominguez
Brandi Elliott
Charlotte Escaravage
Desavia Evans
Lindsay Falkenberg
Kaieta Farley
Yasilet Fernandez
Emily Fiedler
Megan Fiorenzo
Diana Fiumara
Gabrielle Forbes
Fredeline Frazilus
Tymeera Freeman
Valerie Fuller
William Garner
Davina Garrett
Jessica Gavin
Maya Golebiewski
Autumn Gourley
Mary Ellen Granozio
Doris Guittens-Carr
Grace Hannel
Liesl Hanson
Alicia Harabin
Sarah Hatch
Whitney Hendrickson
Sharon Herrera
Daniel Hobbs
Lindsey Hultman
Merrill Hunter
Angela Hutchins
Alexandra Iaccino
Abigail Jimenez
Chelsey Johnson
Lyric Johnson
Tanya Kansal
Douglas Keller
Amy Keyishian
Savanna Khoury
Samuel King
Marisa Klemowitz
Ashanay Knight
Jessica Kolment
Kailyn Korsak
Emily Kostick
Darien Kvyatkovsky
April Lancona
Nina Langhorn
Colleen Lavin
Victoria Legrande McMillian
Nathalie Leonardo
Gina Lombardo
Esther Maeng
Amanda Manjorin
Brittany Maronna
Jennifer McClave
Amanda McEntee
Monique McNair
Michael Meade
Rachel Meyers
Faith Michaels
Tzipporah Mincis
Ashley Minore
Leah Minuche
Kamiya Modh
Erin Moffitt
Kayla Monroe
Joyce Monserrate
Michelle Montesdeoca
Denise Mozitis
Jacqueline Murray
Claire Nguyen
Gracie Oliveira
Russell Owen
Brianna Paden-Williams
Susie Park
Melissa Phelan
Joseph Polizzi
Shadaisha Pringle
Karissa Przyhocki
Basma Qazi
Alexandria Raffa
Ashley Reves
Karina Richardson
Kimberle Ritchie
Nina Rizzo
Sheavon Roach
Kimberly Rodriguez
Tahnia Rogers
Leah Santonastaso
Alexi Schecter
Kayla Sepulveda
Kimberly Servello
John Serzan
Caitlin Shadek
Adrienne Sherwin
Hailee Shober
Kendra Shumway
Myiah Singleton
Carmel Slater
Angela Smith
Zulieta Smoljan
Tracy Squirini
Raina Stewart
Chantel Sykes
Collika Thomas
Kasane Tonegawa
Emily Tully
Emaediong Umoh
Allana Vaden
Olga Valencia
Rachel Van Der Wel
Lauren Vaughan
Joy White
Annette Wolff
Brittney Yearsley
Soo Yi
Alexis Young
Stephanie Zakrzewski
Jenna Zweigle
Camden Campus
Victoria Alexander
Prince Alvarado
Tishera A'Mour
Kayla Ayala
Kenneth Barnes*
Shakira Bell
Gina Marie Bellon*
Charmah Brown
Kiara Castillo
Patricia Cerreto
Jennifer Clark
Khalil Dingle
Zen Ehly
Christine Fiore*
Jaime Grochowski*
Jazmine Hammond
Ebony Hicks
Renata Hill
Ryan Johnson
Ashley Lemise
New Brunswick Campus
Jennifer Abrego Morales
Anisa Ali
Jaida M. Alston
Alexandra K. Anthony
Carol J. Arroyo
Paul K. Baffoe
Amber M. Batista
Emily A. Bell
Keron Best
Nicole A. Bianca
Laila C. Birchett
Evan Birnbaum**
Alexa T. Bravo-Lazo**
Ah Lim Byun
Cailin E. Carr
Ashley Mae G. Catibog
Aryan M. Chokshi
Sarah J. Christensen
Shayla A. Constant
Kennelle N. Correa
Justine T. Cox
Dominique Daniels
Fatimak Lewis
Valiya Lewis
Wendy Morales
Rachael Parker
Sabrina Perez-James
Kristin Pilla
Melanie Rivera
Marrisa Rodriguez
Mina Ryan*
Alejandra Sanchez-Medina
Corrine Shoemaker
Jesse Tucker
Lydia Valencia
Jayda Vasquez
Jameera Vazquez
Maria Alejandra Vazquez
Quraishah Voughs-Bailey
Breyanni Wade
Theodore Ward
Mary Winkelspecht
William Wittman
Ertula Deshomme
Alice Eni
Layana R. Farrar
Kylie L. Ferenz
Jessie H. Gage
Angelina C. Gassaway
Julia Gilleece
Yerania Gonzalez Ramirez
Mitzy F. Gonzalez-Tello
Jessica Greene*
Mark Guido
Samantha D. Helwig
Julia R. Henninger
Kimberly L. Hopkins
Sydnee D. Hopson
Shane M. Hughes
Linda Hussein
Jade Jaramillo
Colleen A. Jewell
Leo J. Joergensen
Kylie K. Johnson
Latonya Johnson
2024 B.A.S.W. GRADUATES
Tamara T. Johnson**
Julia R. Katz
Naomi C. Kutin
Calla N. Lee
Natalie A. Marquez
Ashley A. McDowell
Gemma M. McLaughlin
Katelynn Mejia
Sofia Lorainne Mico
Hajra Mohammad
Carita S. Ng
Oluwatoni Odefemi*
Michelle B. O'Leary
Shakira M. Olivares
Nicole A. Orellana
Essie Otoo
Janeya A. Pecco
Litzy N. Perez Osornio
Emily E. Perry
Genesis O. Quezada
Jennifer C. Raymondi
Angelique A. Richardson
Maritza A. Rosario
Laura Salguero
Karen L. Sanikidze
Hannah M. Sargent
Sasha A. Shields
Isabel C. Shin
Keimy K. Silva Ponce
Kierra C. Sorhaindo
Adara B. Stein
Natalie L. Swisher**
Grace A. Taylor
Yanely Tepepa Rosales
Sussex Trinidad
Ta'miyah A. Tucker
Taylor L. Ussia
Elvia Valdez Gonzalez
Charles Z. Vizthum
Jada S. Wagner
Jordan Warner**
Destiny A. Williams
Danielle A. Zara
* January 2024 graduate ** Potential August 2024 graduate
JOINT DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK AND PHILOSPHY
M.S.W. AND PH.D.
Lauren Nicole Manley*
Nora Colleen Sullivan*
Clayton Lindsay Walton*
*M.S.W. Requirements Completed, Ph.D. Coursework in Progress
DUAL DEGREE IN LAW AND SOCIAL WORK
M.S.W./J.D.
Basma Qazi
DUAL DEGREE IN DIVINITY AND SOCIAL WORK
M.S.W./M.DIV.
Branden Javier Irving
Mavet Sarai Mendez
DUAL DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL WORK
M.S.W./M.A. IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Maritza Caguana
Tania Choudhury
Brooke D'Antonio
Chiara A. De Candia
Kayla Sepulveda
Kristen Alice Wimmer
Kierstyn Wynkoop
Alejandra Sofia Zelasco
DUAL DEGREE IN PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL WORK
M.S.W./M.P.H.
Coco W. Kuebler
Onyinye Ngozika Nnajiofor
DUAL DEGREE IN PUBLIC PLANNING AND SOCIAL WORK
M.S.W./M.P.P.
Larissa Marie Garcia
Rita Marie Mirabelli
Taylor K. Pickett-Stokes
Veronique X. Yeo
Aging & Health Certificate
Idalizes Asgarali
Reana Barakakos
Khadijah Barchue
Kellie Camarda
Darrian Dodson
Gerdene Facey
Angela Fackina
Delaney Gibbs
Douglas Keller
Chloe Kent
Amy Keyishian
Samuel King
Sarah Manship
Brianna Paden-Williams
Jakea Thania
Valerie Walburn
Silver honor cord
Latina/o Initiatives for Service, Training & Assessment Certificate
Deven Alvarez
Michelle Castruita
Eliana Cohen
Maria Del Cisne Lopez
Gabriela Diaz
Stephanie Diaz
Odalis Dominguez Flores
Lindsay Falkenberg
Margaret Fox
Larissa Garcia
Doris Guittens-Carr
Ivanna Heredia
Nayely Hermida Ortiz
Stacey Hill
Maria Hoseit
Hilary Jimenez
Abigail Jimenez
Ellen Kelleher
Gerardo Leal
Victoria LeGrande McMillian
Nathalie Leonardo
Jenieris Leonardo-Diaz
Edna Lopez
Nora McCormick
Ingrid Meza
Leah Minuche
Elizabeth Morales
Natalie Nunez
Kimberly Ortiz-Samayoa
Crystal Paniagua
Cindy Perez Vasquez
Dennis Rivera
Ruth Rocio Ruiz
Carol Salvagione
Nancy Sanjines
Paola Talley
Black, white and gold honor cord
Certificate in Promoting Child & Adolescent Well-Being
Julia Adamkiewicz
Lea Albarran
Patrick Allred
Sajayah Baker
Rachel Balser
Karyn Barrera
Marissa Beyer
Patricia Bober
Madison Bunn
Danielle Cannon
Olivia Carrara
Robert Cook
Rachel Craig
Julia Critchfield
Sally De Vera
Emma Degennaro
Sierra Drumbore
Dorotea Enriquez
Sofia Rose Eugenio
Jennifer Famulary
Hailey Finocchio
Justine Gendy
Sydnie Goshin
Basya Gruber
Alicia Harabin
Marco Hernandez
Zehra Kazi
Olamide Kunle-Lawanson
Alison Lemke
Jude Lerissant
Maria Lewis
Sofia Mannarino
Angelica Martinez-Analco
Emma Melhorn
Daniel Mervil
Amy Belle Molina
Vanessa Morales
Lauren Oldock
Natalie Oller
Amoge Omeronye
Jocelyn Pelaez
Haley Piccinich
Rachel Raghunandan
Melanie Rodrigues
Isabel Rodriguez
Britney Rosato
Calvin Ryan
Kayla Saltzman
Nayelly Siguencia
Emma Skelly
Sophie Sklar
Annalee Smith
Hannah Smith
Christina Sullivan
Isabel Szeto
Lily Teichmann
Daniela Tropeano
Chloe Williams
Veronique Yeo
Seonah Yoon
Green honor cord
Certificate in Interpersonal Violence and Trauma
Ashley Adams
Syeda Ali-Jaffry
Angela Allen
Olga Aramini
Elizabeth Baginski
Hailey Beck
Marina Bishara
Alyssa Bowling
Gabrielle Boykins
Tiiera Broxton
Amanda Bruno
Maritza Caguana
Tania Choudhury
Yahaira Colon
Brooke D'Antonio
Jessica Daubenberger
Ashley Demain
Kristin Di Vico
Kathleen Drake
Joshua Gallagher
Belanna Gans
Larissa Gatto Ruben
Maya Golebiewski
Autumn Gourley
Kiera Hampton
Samiya Heyward
Angela Hutchins
Tatyana Ikhelson
Marisa Klemowitz
Jessica Kolment
Emily Kostick
Lorraine Labus
Nina Langhorn
Julia Lee
Esther Maeng
Ramona Mateo
Molly McCormack
Aleah McCoy
Sophia Menos
Faith Michaels
Erin Moffitt
Courtney Novak
Mary Chris Ong
Karina Richardson
Kimberle Ritchie
Danielle Rodriguez
Dalia Saleh
Sophia Salmon
Haili Shah
Hailee Shober
Carmel Slater
April Stallone
Bernard Todd
Alexis Trusiani
Lauren Vaughan
Kristen Wimmer
Veronica Wise
Annette Wolff
Rebekah Worth
Alexis Young
Adrienne Zappia
Katelyn Zornes
Purple honor cord
Addiction Counselor Training Certificate
Brian Collado
Carly Flood
William Garner
Donna Jenkins
Victor Ladino
Claire Leberman
Sabriya Muhammad
Patrycja Pelinko
Jana Sasser
Katherine Schwartz
Julia Taormina
Christina Torres
Kelly Turcios
Shama Vaidya
Amy Weeks
Rachel Zadlock
Human Services Management Certificate
Deven Alvarez
Marissa Barbosa
Karyn Barrera
Ace Begu
Ny'Asia Bussie
Nyajia Carlos
Olivia Carrara
Kevin Caufield
Tania Choudhury
Allyson Danyo
Chiara De Candia
Vincent Digioia-Laird
Alan Dodd
Darrian Dodson
Odalis Dominguez Flores
Bassirou Drame
Selenne Galvez Hernandez
Larissa Garcia
Charles Giraldo
Shannon Gray
Amy Keyishian
Grace Kim
Danielle Luczak
White honor cord
Lauren Manley
Sarah Manship
Anthony Mazakas
Mavet Mendez
Rita Mirabelli
Amy Belle Molina
Caitlin Morrone
Gregory Mowle
Jada Murray
Analee Olsson
Brianna Paden-Williams
Taylor Pickett
Dennis Rivera
Nina Rizzo
Gabrielle Self
Nora Sullivan
Gabriela Tejada
Michael Turner
Lurde Vasquez
Clayton Walton
Rebekah Worth
Zanyah Yarborough
Veronique Yeo
Camden Chapter
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK B.A.S.W. STUDENT ASSOCIATION
Graduating Executive Council Members
President – Maria Alejandra Vasquez
Vice President - Diana Sotomayor
Treasurer - Rachael Parker
New Brunswick Chapter
President – Anisa Ali
Vice President – Michelle O’Leary
Treasurer – Mitzy F. Gonzalez-Tello
V. DuWayne Battle, M.S.W., M.Div., D.Min., Ph.D., Professor of TeachingFaculty Advisor
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK M.S.W. STUDENT ASSOCIATION
Graduating Executive Council Members
Ny'Asia Adaya Bussie
Rachel Craig
Anthony Matthew Mazakas Kamiya K. Modh
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Susan Parish, M.S.W., Ph.D. President, Mercy UniversityRutgers alumna Dr. Susan Parish, President of Mercy University, earned her baccalaureate degree from Rutgers University in 1988 and her MSW from Rutgers School of Social Work in 1994.
After a number of years as a social work practitioner, Dr. Parish earned her Ph.D. from the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois in Chicago. She has had an outstanding career in higher education and in August of 2023 she began serving as President of Mercy University in Dobbs Ferry, NY. Prior to that, Dr. Parish served in several higher education leadership positions.
She began her career in social work education as a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work. Subsequently, she was Director of the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy and doctoral program chair at Brandeis University. She then served as Dean of the College of Health Professions at Northeastern University in Boston, followed by serving as Dean of the College of Health Professions at Virginia Commonwealth University. Under Dr. Parish’s leadership, the College of Health Professions at VCU experienced significant increases in graduate and undergraduate enrollment, and research funding. Under her leadership, the College also launched an innovative liberal arts undergraduate degree in Health Services in 2020 and developed new certificate programs and graduate concentrations.
Dr. Parish also has a proven track-record in fundraising. At Northeastern and VCU, she partnered with a range of individual donors and foundations to create new scholarship funds, a student emergency fund, and support for faculty, health innovation, and teaching and research labs.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Parish has been a prolific researcher primarily in the area of health disparities for people with disabilities and has garnered more than $13 million in external research funding. She has received distinctions for her teaching, mentoring and research, including: “Research Matters!” Distinguished Research Award, Arc of the United States (2009), Advocate Hero, Exceptional Parent Magazine (2021), Lifetime Achievement Award, American Public Health Association Disability Section (2021) and Research Award, American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2019).
FACULTY
Ayse Akincigil, M.A., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Edward J. Alessi, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director of the Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) Program
Mary Beth Ali, M.S.W.
Teaching Instructor and Coordinator of Practicum Learning
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
Sheretta Butler Barnes, M.A., Ph.D.
Sojourner Truth Social and Racial Justice
Visiting Professor
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 Racism 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.
Professor of Professional Practice and Director of the Latina/o/x Initiatives for Service, Training, and Assessment (L.I.S.T.A.) Certificate Program
Ryon Cobb, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Chancellor's Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Research on Black Americans
Stephen Crystal, M.A., Ph.D. Distinguished Research Professor
Laura Cuesta, M.A., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Maxine Davis, M.S.W., M.B.A., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Chancellor’s Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Intimate Partner Violence Prevention & Intervention
Rebecca T. Davis, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Professional Practice and Director of the Office of Global Social Work Programs
Ryan DiMeglio, M.S.W.
Teaching Instructor and Co-Director of the Addiction Counselor Training (A.C.T.) Certificate Program
Jacquelynn Duron, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Richard L. Edwards, A.M., Ph.D. Interim Dean, Distinguished University Professor and Chancellor Emeritus, Rutgers – New Brunswick
Antoinette Y. Farmer, M.S., Ph.D. Professor and Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Patricia A. Findley, M.S.W., Dr.P.H. Professor, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Special Assistant to the Dean for Interprofessional Health Initiatives
Adrian Gale, M.S.W., Ph.D. Assistant Professor
E. Goldblatt Hyatt, M.S.W., M.B.E., D.S.W.
Associate Professor of Professional Practice 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. Associate Professor of Professional Practice
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.
Writing Instructor, D.S.W. Program
Rupa Khetarpal, M.A., M.S.W.
Associate Professor of Teaching and Director of the Interpersonal Violence & Trauma (I.V.T.) Certificate Program
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
Michael C. LaSala, M.S.W., Ph.D. 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, Director, Center for Research on Ending Violence and Chancellor's Scholar for Violence Prevention
Christine Morales, M.S.W.
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
Shari L. Munch, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Lenna Nepomnyaschy, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Associate 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
Margaret O’Donoghue, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Director of the Certificate on Child Well-Being (Ch.A P ) Program
Michael Park, M.S., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Chancellor's Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Racial Minority Health
N. Andrew Peterson, M.A., Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Prevention Science
Cathryn C. Potter, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor
Kathleen J. Pottick, M.S.W., M.A., Ph.D. Professor
Kristen Gilmore Powell, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Associate Research Professor, Associate Director, Center for Prevention Science and Director of the Northeast & Caribbean Prevention Technology Transfer Center
Gabriel Robles, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Chancellor’s Scholar for Inclusive Excellence in Sexual and Gender Minority Health
Chiara Sabina, M.A., Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Associate Director, 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
Rachel Schwartz, M.S.W.
Associate Professor of Teaching, Assistant Dean of Innovative Learning Technologies and Director of Online MSW Programs
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
Jackie F. Stanmyre, M.S.W.
Research Intsructor 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
Trinay V. Thomas, M.S.W.
Assistant Professor of Teaching, 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
Abigail Williams-Butler, M.S., M.S.W., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Allison Zippay, M.S.W, Ph.D.
Professor and Director of the Center for Leadership and Management
Karen A. Zurlo, M.B.A., M.S.W., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS
Richard L. Edwards, A.M., Ph.D. Interim Dean
Antoinette Y. Farmer, M.S., Ph.D. Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Patricia A. Findley, M.S.W., Dr.P.H. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
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, 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, 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. Assistant Dean for Admissions and Recruitment
Rachel Schwartz, M.S.W. Assistant Dean, Innovative Learning Technologies
Allison Zippay, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, Center for Leadership and Management
Cassandra Simmel, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, Ph.D. Program
E. Goldblatt Hyatt, M.S.W., M.B.E , D.S.W. Director, D.S.W. Program
Edward J. Alessi, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, Master of Social Work Program
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, Baccalaureate Social Work Program (Camden)
Mark Lamar, M.S.W., M.B.A. Executive Director of Practicum Learning
Theresa McCutcheon, M.S.W. Director, Institute for Families
Rebecca Davis, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, Office of Global Social Work Programs
N. Andrew Peterson, M.A., Ph.D. Director, Center for Prevention Science
Sarah McMahon, M.S.W., Ph.D. Director, Center for Research on Ending Violence
Samantha Michaele, B.A. Director of Business Services
Tibor Purger, M.A., M.S. Director of Information Technology
Laurie Zazenski, M.A. Director of Communications
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 B.A.S.W. Student Award
Prince Alvarado
Jennifer Clark
Mark Guido
Latonya Johnson
Julia Katz
Janeya Pecco
Corrine Shoemaker
Jesse Tucker
These students were nominated for an Outstanding M.S.W. Student Award
Patrick Allred
Karyn Barrera
Briana Borges
Aimee Brill
Olivia Carrara
Rachel Craig
Alan Dodd
Bassirou Drame
Kaieta Farley
Odalis Dominguez Flores
Tymeera Freeman
William Garner
Charles Giraldo
Basya Gruber
Doris Guittens-Carr
Deborah Halpern
Makayla Jack
Branden Jorge
Douglas Keller
Amy Keyishian
Thomas Kinloch
Edna Lopez
Danielle Luczak
Lauren Manley
Sarah Manship
Leah Martucci
Gabrielle McLean
Kimberly Meersma
Mavet Mendez
Rita Mirabelli
Kamiya Modh
Jada Murray
Mary Chris Ong
Brianna Paden-Williams
Jocelyn Pelaez
Taylor Pickett
Shirley Pierre
Isabel Rodriguez
Jamie Santopietro
Sophie Sklar
April Stallone
Luke Stymest
Ganaia Swinton
Julia Taormina
Michael Turner
Nicole Vega
Valerie Walburn
Clayton Walton
Deborah Wang
Kayleigh Wharton
Rebekah Worth
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 #RUSSW2024.
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 Take part in our endowed lecture series events throughout the year
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.
Visit the NASW-NJ table in the lobby today.
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.
Use this QR code to view our online program.