A Dean’s Perspective
“We have the unique privilege of being a leader in health and behavioral health.”
Our school enables social workers to do their best work. We do this in part by aligning with partners who help students, alumni, faculty and staff thrive in research, teaching, learning and service. You will learn more about some of our people and partners in this issue.
We have the privilege of being a leader in social work as it relates to both health and behavioral health. I am excited to highlight two new partnerships which will help strengthen what we offer in the way of research, teaching, programming and leadership. These are a new alignment with the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, and a pivotal new season of partnering with the Dell Medical School.
With these partnerships, we expand our school’s opportunities to work in both clinical and policy spaces in both micro- and macro- social work, and particularly to help shape and lead in health and behavioral health.
The significance of these initiatives became clear during our most recent strategic planning process, in which students, staff, and faculty identified these areas of research, teaching and practice as key priorities.
In support of these values and priorities, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health has joined our school.
The Hogg Foundation will continue building on their mission to transform how communities promote mental health in everyday life by resourcing hands-on grant initiatives that also serve to advance social work education and practice to provide better and more accessible behavioral health for all Texans.
In addition to the Hogg Foundation, our school has a significant partnership with Dell Medical School. This partnership has never been more important
particularly as we plan and build The University of Texas at Austin Medical Center. This $2.5 billion project, which includes a new specialty hospital located on the Forty Acres, will make Austin a destination city for health care that includes a new flagship MD Anderson Cancer Center as well as significant interdisciplinary and interprofessional opportunities in numerous health care fields.
I am excited to have been named as the deputy for health humanities and technology at Dell Medical School. Professor Sarah Sloan and others will work with me to identify opportunities for strengthening even further a focus on patient-centered care as well as elevating the role that health humanities may play in both medical and interprofessional education. These opportunities will continue to call for social work’s values and contributions to timely and needed efforts and is simply the next iteration in a well-established and thriving partnership between UT Social Work and Dell Med.
These and other partnerships reflect the quality of our school’s faculty, staff, and students, and I am grateful for the many opportunities these partnerships present. We are just getting started.
With gratitude,
Allan Cole
Allan Cole, Dean
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Remembering Lori Holleran Steiker
Our school mourns the loss of one of our community pillars
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Workforce Research
UT Social Work forecasts the social work workforce on behalf of the State of Texas
05
People News
Recognizing new faces, thanking retiring faculty and staff, and highlighting student excellence
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Danielle Parrish
UT Social Work welcomes back Danielle Parrish (Ph.D. '08) as a professor and researcher
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Rep. Aftyn Behn
Tennessee state representative Aftyn Behn (MSSW '12) "cares loudly" about issues in social work
23 Matt Scoggin
Legendary diving coach Matt Scoggin (BSW '87) shares insights from the 2024 Olympics in Paris
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NASW Pioneer
Diana DiNitto earns highest honors in social work through the NASW Foundation
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René Gaitan
Clinical faculty member René Gaitan (MSSW '10) shares his perspective on teaching
REMEMBERING LORI HOLLERAN STEIKER
The Steve Hicks School of Social Work mourns the loss of Lori Holleran Steiker, Ph.D., ACSW, who died on Sept. 22, 2024, after living with metastatic cancer for several years.
Dr. Holleran Steiker served as the Steve Hicks Professor of Addiction, Recovery and Substance Abuse Services and Associate Director of Education and Training at the Addiction Research Institute. She had been a pillar at the Steve Hicks School since 2000 and served in faculty appointments at the UT Dell Medical School Department of Psychiatry, as well as the Baylor College of Medicine Department of Family and Community Medicine. She also held an administrative position in the School of Undergraduate Studies as Director of Instruction, Engagement and Wellness, and was a beloved teacher in the classroom.
“When you think of exceptional teachers in our school, not to mention, exceptional people, you think of Lori Holleran Steiker,” said Allan Cole, Dean of Texas Social Work. “She is the teacher that teachers aspire to be, the researcher that researchers aspire to be, and the authentic and courageous individual we aspire to be. Her impact on students will last for decades to come, and her national leadership in research, education, and advocacy related to substance use disorders will continue to impact innumerable lives. Lori has been a significant contributor to Texas Social Work as well as The University of Texas at Austin, in making this community a special, meaningful, and supportive one. I
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am grateful to have known such an extraordinary leader and person. Lori lived with enviable authenticity, full of profound love for others, and her example helped make the world better.”
Dr. Holleran Steiker won dozens of teaching awards, including the Tower Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award, the UT System’s Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award, the Texas Exes Teachers Excellence Award, and the Minnie Stevens Piper Professor Award for Excellence, among others. Her induction into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers occurred in 2012, and throughout her career, the Council on Social Work Education and Society for Social Work & Research recognized Lori’s accomplishments and contributions. She was particularly committed to the BSW students and their successful growth as professionals. Each semester, 150 first-year students enrolled in her undergraduate signature course, “Young People and Drugs.” She also taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the areas of groups, families, and substance misuse. She also served as the Assistant Dean for Undergraduates in the School of Social Work from 2009 to 2012 and she continually served in an advisory role for the UT Center for Students in Recovery.
She conducted research funded by federal and state agencies as well as foundations and was known especially for her expertise in community-based adolescent and emerging adult substance use recovery. She facilitated the adaptation and evaluation
of the keepin’ it REAL (kiR) project for youth in a variety of community settings including LGBTQ youth at OutYouth, low-income housing youth at YMCA, alternative school settings, LifeWorks Homeless Youth Shelter, SCAN advocacy program for border youth in Laredo, Texas, and Gardner Betts with incarcerated youth and youth on probation.
She also spearheaded overdose prevention and response initiatives on The University of Texas campus, helped start OperationNaloxone.org, and served a Co-PI on the Texas Targeted Opioid Response (TTOR) to study the opioid crisis in Texas and prevent drug overdoses. She was the founder and a board member of University High School (Central Texas’s first recovery high school) and has served as the faculty liaison for The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Students in Recovery since its inception in 2004. At the time of her death, she was a member Texas Opioid Abatement Council, tasked with distributing resources to ameliorate the effects of the opioid crisis.
She published more than one hundred peer-reviewed publications and three books, including "Youth and Substance Use: Prevention, Intervention and Recovery (2016)," "Substance Abusing Latinos: Current Research on Epidemiology, Prevention and Treatment," and "Signature Course Stories: Transforming Undergraduate Education."
Born in Brooklyn, New York, and raised in central New Jersey, Dr. Holleran Steiker graduated as a proud valedictorian from Hightstown High School in 1983. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Honors English from Duke University and her MSW from The University of Pennsylvania. She trained by Philadelphia Child Guidance Clinic in Family Therapy and worked as a clinical psychiatric social worker and addictions therapist with adolescents and adults for a dozen years before receiving her Ph.D. from Arizona State University.
A memorial service celebrating Lori’s life took place at the UT Alumni Center on Sunday, Sept. 29.
IN MEMORIAM
Diana George (MSSW ’94), beloved wife, mother and dedicated social worker died on June 16, 2024, at age 79.
Diana came to SHS as a nontraditional student after her three children finished school. She earned a bachelor’s in social work in 1992 and a master’s in clinical social work in 1994, both with honors. After graduation, Diana served clients at Child and Family
Leslie “Les” White, the namesake of the Dianne and Leslie White Endowed Scholarship Fund, passed on May 15, 2024, at the age of 91.
Les held a tremendous appreciation for the role that social workers play as mental health providers, and we are deeply grateful for his life and legacy.
Services in Austin, specializing in domestic violence and sexual abuse. She later developed a thriving private practice, sharing her expertise and compassion with countless people in her professional and personal life.
To family and friends, she was known as a fierce friend, welcoming hostess, and an exceptional mother who taught her children — Juliet, Jimmy, and Chris — how
Born May 24, 1932, in Belton, Texas, Les enrolled in The University of Texas where he was proudly a self-supporting student, earning a Phi Beta Kappa key and receiving the W. A. Tarr Award as the top graduate in his class.
Upon completing his degree, a BS in Geology, he went to work for Humble Oil and Refining Co, now ExxonMobil. He worked in several
to love, achieve, play, persevere, forgive, and pursue their passions.
Diana and her husband, James George Jr., included a generous bequest in their estate plans to support scholarships for Texas Social Work students. We are grateful for their continued support for our mission to promote social and economic justice, alleviate critical social problems, and enhance human well-being.
localities, both domestic and foreign, before retiring after 36 years.
In addition to his endowed scholarship in social work, in 2018, the White family donated their ranch land near Dripping Springs to the Jackson School of Geoscience to provide field access for teaching and research. It is named the White Family Outdoor Learning Center.
PEOPLE NEWS NEW FACES
The Steve Hicks School of Social Work welcomes several new faces to our faculty and staff.
Akram Al-Turk is a research associate at the Moritz Center for Societal Impact.
Emily Carpenter is the executive assistant to the Dean.
Kcie Driggers is a clinical assistant professor.
Raniah Fattah is a BSW senior academic advisor.
Anna Finger is a clinical assistant professor.
Mayan Herman is a clinical assistant professor.
Gentry Hoffman is a financial analyst.
Ella Irwin is the administrative assistant at the Moritz Center for Societal Impact.
Octavio Martinez is the executive director of the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.
Danielle Parrish is a professor and associate director of the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute (HBRT).
Sydney Rokas is an events program coordinator.
Andrea Tamez is a senior academic program coordinator.
Kailee Paramore is an assistant director for development.
Sara Vandegrift is a project manager at the Moritz Center for Societal Impact.
Iiona Virgin is an associate academic advisor.
RETIREMENTS
The Steve Hicks School of Social Work thanks our retired faculty and staff for their dedication and service.
Professor Cossy Hough, Clinical Associate Professor and former Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs, retired on August 31, 2024.
Her contributions include leading faculty in efforts to prioritize instructional innovation, creating and sustaining hospitable classrooms, growing numerous student success initiatives, and providing consistently generous care for our student population, especially our undergraduates.
As a two-time Texas Social Work graduate, Hough joined our faculty in August 2009, teaching several courses to both MSSW and BSW students. In 2018, she began five years of excellent service as Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs. We are a better school because of Hough and her sharp mind, creativity, and passion.
PEOPLE NEWS
STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Paulina Licon
Paulina Licon, an undergraduate student, was awarded The Patman Center’s Research Award for Renewing Democracy for her research about public participation in Latin America and how public participation can offset political power. Born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Licon is currently pursuing a BSW with a minor in government.
Jaria Martin (MSSW ’24)
Jaria Martin, J.D., MSSW joined an exclusive group of MSSW students, becoming the latest UT Social Work graduate to earn a dual juris doctor degree from Texas Law and a master's in social work on May 11. She currently serves as a senior law clerk at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, based in Washington, D.C.
Julia Pynes (MSSW ’24)
Julia Pynes, who graduated on May 11, 2024, became the first-ever Longhorn to earn a dual MSSW/MBA degree through Texas Social Work and the McCombs School of Business. Pynes earned her LMSW license, and now serves as the financial wellness program manager at Foundation Communities in Austin, Texas.
Xiaoyi Zeng
Xiaoyi Zeng, a first-year doctoral student, was accepted into the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work’s (AGESW) Pre-Dissertation Fellows Program. Originally hailing from Shandong, China, Zeng focuses her research endeavors on promoting the physical, mental, and cognitive well-being of older individuals, with a special focus on Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias.
DIANA DINITTO NAMED AS A SOCIAL WORK PIONEER
Diana DiNitto, Ph.D., ACSW, LCSW, AADC, is among the newest cohort of social workers to be recognized as a Social Work Pioneer by the National Association of Social Workers Foundation (NASWF). DiNitto, who serves as a Distinguished Teaching Professor and the Cullen Trust Centennial Professor in Alcohol Studies and Education, is one of 25 social workers who will be honored in this year’s class. The program, founded in 1994, recognizes the “select few chosen to join the ranks of social workers who have explored new territories and built outposts for human services."
She is the 17th overall Social Work Pioneer with ties to Texas Social Work and 20th overall with ties to The University of Texas. She joins social work luminaries such as Barbara White, the former Dean of Texas Social Work (1993-2011); Cynthia Franklin, the Stiernberg/Spencer Family Professor in Mental Health; and Ruth McCoy, Ruby Lee Piester Centennial Professor Emeritus in Services to Children and Families.
“Diana DiNitto is synonymous with the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, just as she is when it she comes to leadership and excellence in social work research and education,” said Allan Cole, Dean of Texas Social Work. “For nearly four decades, Dr. DiNitto has made invaluable contributions to our school by championing behavioral health initiatives, public policy, and research in the area of substance use disorders. She is an exemplary social worker and researcher, and an extraordinary teacher and mentor to many, including to me.”
DiNitto was honored with the award during the 18th Annual Social Work Pioneer Program and Luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 19, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The honor is the latest for Dr. DiNitto, who most recently received an honorary doctorate from Tallinn University (Estonia) for her contributions to social work doctoral education and was named Best Reviewer of 2023 for the Journal of Social Work Education (JSWE). She is also the namesake of the DiNitto Career Center, which is dedicated to offering accessible and comprehensive guidance for our students and alumni at every stage of their career journeys.
"As a social worker and NASW member for five decades, it is a great honor to be named a NASW Social Work Pioneer. I am so appreciative of
this recognition, but what is most important is that our work continues to be critical to the well-being of society,” said DiNitto. “We are called to serve and advocate for individuals, families, and communities and to be changemakers on a broad scale by influencing policy and administering programs that address society’s most significant challenges. I am honored to be among the incredible social workers who do this work each and every day, and I am excited to continue working to improve lives.”
In addition to her accomplishments in the academy and practice of social work, DiNitto’s character is repeatedly lauded by her colleagues, students, and peers.
“She is even more stellar at being a model colleague and human, and she is one of the most deserving persons to be named as a NASW Pioneer,” said Cole. “Her colleagues at The University of Texas at Austin and well beyond celebrate her exceptional contributions to social work research, policy, practice, education, and leadership.”
In addition to Diana DiNitto, former SHS professor King Davis, Ph.D., was also named as a Social Work Pioneer by the NASW Foundation. Dr. Davis held the Robert Lee Sutherland Endowed Chair in Mental Health and Social Policy from 2000 to 2008.
2024 TEXAS SOCIAL WORK WORKFORCE STUDY RELEASED
Study by UT Social Work Created for State of Texas & THECB
The 2024 Texas Social Work Workforce Study was released by UT Social Work in October 2024, following a request for data and recommendations on the industry by the State of Texas and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
A deficit of social workers and increasing needs
The results revealed a significant deficit in the current social work workforce in Texas and projects the most severe shortages in 2030, particularly in rural areas. In fact, 97% of counties in Texas have been designated as Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas and an additional 1% have partial designations.
While the systematic literature review conducted by the study authors revealed gaps in data due to the lack of a national system for collecting data on social workers, the population data analysis did demonstrate a widening gap between the available number of practitioners and the demand for behavioral health services across Texas.
Recommendations and strategy
The authors included a wide variety of faculty, staff, and students at Texas Social Work. They are:
• Cynthia Franklin, Ph.D., LCSW-S
Increasing behavioral health conditions in U.S. populations and the larger health implications and increased mortality rates that often accompany those conditions, underscore the importance of social workers and programs to improve mental and behavioral health across the state.
The report concludes with several strategies to improve education and work incentives as well as recommendations to mitigate rural behavioral health workforce needs. The recommendations include as educational loan repayment programs, pipeline programs and partnerships. The report also advocates joining the Social Work Licensure Compact, designed to optimize access to licensed social workers in rural and other underserved areas.
• Laura Dosanjh, Ph.D., RCC
• Sarah K. Sloan, LCSW-S
• Tanya Voss, MSSW
• Pei-Chiang Lee, MSW
• Jeeyeon Hong, MSW
• Chrystal Lim, BA
• Erin Swearingen, BA
A HOMECOMING FOR DANIELLE PARRISH
Danielle Parrish (Ph.D. ’08) is back at UT Social Work as a professor and the associate director of the Health Behavior Research and Training Institute (HBRT) –and she still can’t believe it.
“Coming back to Texas Social Work means rejoining this community and giving back what I received — meaningful, caring mentorship; excellent teaching in the classroom; and vibrant and innovative research,” she said. “I’m still pinching myself that I’m back!”
Dr. Parrish, a skilled researcher and professor, brings with her an extensive research and clinical background in substance use disorders and behavioral health. She most recently was director of the Baylor IMPACT LabHouston and professor at the Diana R. Garland School of Social Work at Baylor University. She also serves as the editor-in-chief for the Journal of Social Work Education, and is a co-author of a book titled “Practical Implementation in Social Work Practice,” published by Oxford University Press.
She now makes a homecoming to UT Social Work, where she is immediately hitting the ground running among familiar territory.
As associate director of HBRT, Dr. Parrish is excited to rejoin the HBRT team with Drs. Mary Velasquez and Kirk von Sternberg to conceptualize new, innovative intervention research that addresses substance use and the prevention of substance-exposed pregnancies.
Dr. Parrish completed a postdoctoral fellowship at HBRT under the supervision of Drs. Velasquez and von Sternberg following her doctoral graduation in 2008. Her interest in this area emerged from her own clinical practice experience a mental health clinician in a juvenile detention center, where Dr. Parrish noticed young women stood out most. A third of the young women in the center were visibly pregnant and Dr. Parrish noted the multiple challenges they faced as she conducted mental health assessments.
Few services met their overlapping, complex needs that often included mental health, trauma, family issues, risk of pregnancy and substance abuse challenges. In addition, the few services available were offered in silos and hard to access due to transportation, hours and unrealistic expectations for youth and families.
“I wanted to close the research-practice gap by developing more efficient interventions and finding ways to improve adoption and implementation of existing empirically supported interventions,” said Dr. Parrish. “I have been interested in working with women to prevent substance use — especially as it pertains to reducing the risk of substance-exposed pregnancy — because it is 100% preventable and can have lifelong effects on a child and the family.”
Her work with adolescents and substance use is centered on the opportunity to prevent addiction. Substance use may interrupt the natural course of brain maturation in adolescents, leading to impacts on cognitive functioning and putting youth at greater risk of addiction as an adult.
In addition to the CHOICES-TEEN study, Dr. Parrish also has five other active grants totaling more than $5.5 million in funding – and she’s still actively writing more.
“Grant writing offers a meaningful opportunity to combine real-world practice with theory and empirical research to inform the development of innovative interventions that can be tested and if efficacious, improve lives on a broader scale,” Dr. Parrish said. “Research funding is essential for carrying out highquality intervention research. Social workers are all about applied, practical research that translates to real practice and service contexts.”
CALL HIM
RENÉ
René Gaitan (MSSW ’10) prefers simply to be called René.
The clinical assistant professor considers the name given to him by his mother to be integral to his identity, so when he works as a social worker with children or young people, he finds that this approach breaks down the idea of a power differential. In the event that a young person calls him “Mr. René,” René addresses his client with equal respect.
He takes that same approach with students at The University of Texas, where René serves several roles. In addition to his clinical teaching appointment at the Steve Hicks School of Social Work, he also oversees social work interns in clinics at the School of Law, leads the Communities and Relatives Empowered for Support with Substance Misuse (CARES) Program and facilitates training and workshops.
It’s part of his work that is “a privilege and honor,” and a calling that is inspired by René’s own life experiences.
From California to Texas
At the age of two, René and his mother came to the U.S. from El Salvador, escaping the violence and destabilization from the country’s civil war by moving to California. His father, who arrive in the U.S. prior to René’s birth, bussed tables and his mother worked as a dry cleaner. René notes that by today’s standards, he and his family would be considered political refugees.
Because of his legal status, the first time René was able to leave California was to come to the UT School of Social Work for a master’s degree and ability to work in mental health services.
“I was told that I was a good counselor, and that social work is a space where you can do that and so much more,” said René.
A change in federal policy would later provide him a transition from undocumented status to legal residency to eventual citizenship. Now several years later, he’s teaching students how to be effective social workers.
Supporting positive healing in communities and his own family
René is an inaugural member and faculty fellow of the Communities and Relatives Empowered for Support with Substance Misuse (CARES) Program, which is expected to launch in Spring 2025. CARES aims to give power to the community by building a self-sufficient, supportive network of clients, families, and community members.
René will work alongside a first-year master’s practicum student and graduate assistant to perform needs assessments, client interviews, and research on addiction for families and those struggling with substance misuse.
René also noted this area is special because supporting a family member going through recovery is difficult, as many family members struggle with the emotional pain of caring long-term for others.
"There is no stop when this is your daughter or son," said René. "You may quit a job, but you cannot quit your child."
By sharing his life experiences and stories that he’s seen in social work settings, René believes that his students will be encouraged to learn and practice empathy and understanding.
“I think that by building a stronger and healthier support network, you’re going to improve the chance of the individual coming back to a supportive space,” said René. “That will help support them in their path of recovery.”
AT TEXAS, ANDREA MONTGOMERY IS FILLED WITH HOPE
Andrea Montgomery, LMSW-AP (MSSW ‘02), is hopeful by nature, which has made her inspired by social work education for decades.
As a long-time mainstay of the UT Social Work community and as a licensed social worker in Texas, Montgomery’s hopefulness has affected countless lives. Students have been admitted to the School of Social Work, studied, and graduated because of her.
With more than 20 years of experience in helping others, Montgomery is still going strong by “being in the trenches” for students, clients, and the academic community alike.
Originally from Florida, Montgomery came across social work through a cold call. Upon completing her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Baylor University, a friend from Florida encouraged Montgomery to check out Austin and UT Social Work.
Montgomery’s cold call went to the dean’s office, which was headed up by Barbara White, who served as the first Black dean at The University of Texas. An assistant from the office invited Montgomery to visit the school for a tour, and shortly after meeting White – a fellow native Floridian – Montgomery realized where she wanted to go.
“After I talked to Dean White, it was a done deal,” she said. “Social work was what I was going do.”
Nearly 25 years later, Montgomery is still with UT Social Work, where she now serves as the director of academic initiatives. During her career, she’s helped navigate students through the admissions process and get to UT, but now she gets to have a more “hands on” experience with students who are on campus.
“I never thought I’d enjoy working on behalf of students so much,” said Montgomery. “It continues to be such a joy to learn in this setting.”
In her current role, Montgomery supports the associate dean of academic affairs, Rebecca Gomez. Her primary duties include providing support for adjunct faculty at the BSW and MSSW level to navigate online systems like Canvas and to help cultivate community among students. She also collects information for the scholarship system, Longhorn Awards & Student Scholarship Opportunities (LASSO).
Montgomery also keeps her social work license active in order to help serve as a social worker in non-profit, private sector, and health care settings. She has worked with minors who have been abused and neglected, adolescents, children of incarcerated parents, and those experiencing mental health crises in the medical setting.
“I do a little bit of a lot,” Montgomery said, with a smile. Montgomery’s involvement with UT Social Work continues to build up her own hope, as evidenced by the “best and brightest” she gets to interact with on a daily basis. She is hopeful with the students she sees, the faculty and staff she calls colleagues (“We like each other here,” she’ll note), and the mission-oriented work that social work provides.
And more importantly, she’s hopeful because of the community she gets to help cultivate.
BIG QUESTIONS with Dean Allan Cole
1How has life been at Walter Webb Hall been?
Life is good at Walter Webb Hall! In only our first full semester in this building, we’ve hosted several key public events, including guest speakers, career fairs, and even our annual tailgate. Our community sees each other more often in this new space, and I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to visit and collaborate with colleagues and students in our building. I firmly believe the UT Social Work community is stronger than ever. Having a better building plays a significant role in our strength.
Of course, we are still slated to move to our permanent location on Speedway in less than five years. We will be located in what is currently the home of the McCombs School of Business. Then, we will finally be able to have all of our classes, faculty, staff, research institutes — our entire community — together under one roof. We have pursued this goal for more than a decade at UT Social Work, and we achieved it. I’m looking forward to being in a larger, customized space which will place our facilities among the top in social work education nationally. The best is yet to come!
Above: the SHS Tailgate hosted a record number of alumni, faculty, staf and supporters on the exterior ground floor of Walter Webb Hall.
At right: Dean Cole hosts Dr. Octavio Martinez, executive director of the Hogg Foundation, for a Fireside Chat in October 2024.
What is your new role at Dell Medical School and how does it benefit Texas Social Work?
I was named as Dell Medical School’s deputy for health and technology on July 1, 2024. In this newly created position, I lead efforts within Dell Med, and through collaborations with colleagues across the University, to integrate various efforts pertaining to health affairs, the humanities, and health-related technologies. This work also utilizes social work values and knowledge to identify, develop, and support meaningful opportunities for making greater impact and spurring innovation through partnerships and collaborative pursuits.
I work closely with Dell Med’s leadership, as well as with other campus leaders, on strategic initiatives related to technology broadly conceived. Currently, I focus on work related to artificial intelligence and digital health, implementation science, ethics and bioethics, and patient- and community-centered models of care. I am also working with Dell Med’s faculty and academic leaders to hone and strengthen patient-centered approaches to education and care, especially as these relate what and how we teach. This new role strengthens a well-established strategic partnership between UT Social Work and Dell Med — a mutually beneficial relationship that enhances our respective and collective work.
Social work belongs at the leadership table when it comes to health and behavioral health, and with a new and nearly $3 billion investment in medical research, including adding facilities on the Forty Acres, UT Social Work is leading and collaborating with distinction.
Beyond the Forty Acres, what kind of collaborations are you taking on with other top social work schools?
One of my highest priorities as dean is for our school to lead collaboratively. Whether in partnerships with other schools of social work, medical and allied health schools (e.g. pharmacy, nursing, and public health), or community partners (e.g. agencies and organizations), our school is well positioned to lead efforts to solve critical social problems and promote human flourishing.
We are stronger when we work together, learn from each other, and especially as we model for other learning institutions and a wide range of organizations whose missions focus on the public good.
This semester, our faculty and staff have traveled to several top social work schools across the country to teach and learn. We have also hosted faculty and leaders from these schools here in Austin. Our mutual efforts to resource a world and people in need should never be approached with a zero-sum mentality. Schools and other partners working together makes us all stronger and better at what we do.
Additionally, on a newly created podcast "Discourse," I have engaged in conversations with national social work leaders, including Halaevalu Vakalahi, the president of CSWE; Michael Spencer (MSSW ’92), the dean of the University of Washington School of Social Work; and Melanie Sage, one of the leading experts on AI and technology in social work. Check us out on Spotify and Apple Podcasts — we have many more episodes to come.
Lastly, we’ve initiated collaborative opportunities with other schools at national events and conferences, including Boston College, University of Chicago, and the University of Washington. All of these collaborations are in service to strengthening our efforts to meet our mission and setting a standard in social work education and leadership.
What is the current state for fundraising at SHS?
Fundraising and development are mission critical for our school. I’m proud of the robust program of development we have created, and I celebrate us having a third straight year of record-level fundraising. These resources support our students, faculty, staff, and programs and are essential for a top social work school.
Newly endowed scholarships provide for more student support. Examples include the Simran Sethi Memorial Scholarship in Social Work, awarded to students who want to study substance misuse; and scholarships created through the generosity of a former professor, Dr. David Johnson, which add support for our doctoral students in unprecedented ways.
As I like to say though, we are just getting started. Continuing to grow our resources so that we may strengthen support for students, faculty, and staff, as well as for programs and research, remains one of my foremost priorities and goals.
Clockwise from bottom left: Dean Cole hosts the Advisory Council at Walter Webb Hall; students meet with AI expert Melanie Sage during an event on AI in social work; Dean Cole poses with John David Moritz and Dean Philip Hong of the University of Georgia during the Fall 2024 SHS Distinguished Speaker event; Dean Cole plays bass guitar with Dean's List - a band composed of UT deans - during a gathering of UT Austin leadership at Walter Webb Hall.
We understand there have been new developments at the Moritz Center for Societal Impact. What are some of the things happening there?
In September, we entered a next phase for the Moritz Center for Societal Impact, which serves to support interdisciplinary efforts in research and scholarship, curriculum and instruction, and partnerships with community stakeholders to solve critical social problems.
Dr. Elisa Borah serves as the Moritz Center’s director, having been a member of the UT School of Social Work faculty since 2015. She also serves as the director of the Institute for Military and Veteran Family Wellness (IMVFW), which she created in 2016. Under her guidance, MCSI will not only continue to award grants to help pilot or evaluate promising research, but its faculty affiliates will engage in original research related to health, behavioral health, disability, aging, children and families, housing, ethics, and more.
The Moritz Center is the newest of our 10 research centers and institutes. All are valuable resources as they accelerate our school’s research and community partnership efforts.
Bonus Question: What are you listening to these days?
I’ve been listening to a lot of 90s rock these days, often switching between alternative, grunge, and pop rock styles of that decade. I’ve enjoyed revisiting songs on my bass guitar like “Would?” by Alice in Chains, “Don’t Speak” by No Doubt, “Everlong” by the Foo Fighters, “Zombie” by the Cranberries, and a few others.
Playing music with friends, neighbors, colleagues, and family continues to be my JAM (pun intended)!
BIG QUESTIONS
Housing Stability
BRICK BY BRICK From Eviction Crisis to
When cancer forced a single grandmother raising her late brother's four-year-old son to stop working, eviction loomed. But instead of a final notice, she received a phone call from a team of social workers at the property management company ready to help.
The team at Main Street Renewal helped her access $1,700 in rental assistance, keeping her family housed and stable. “You are a God-sent angel to me,” she wrote after securing the funds. “I want to let people know about this landlord who actually cares about people.”
Amidst a national housing crisis, this initiative represents a transformative approach to how property management companies address housing insecurity. Central to its success is a dedicated team of Texas Social Work students who initially designed and piloted the program. Through an ongoing practicum,
these students continue to sustain the initiative, helping families prevent eviction and achieve financial stability.
The result is helping even more families avoid eviction and become financially stable.
A pilot program to promote stability
Main Street Renewal (MSR) is a nationwide property management company based in Austin with branches in 30 cities, managing over 45,000 single family rental properties. In 2017, they realized that 20% of residents were falling into delinquency, with approximately 10% becoming eligible for eviction each month.
The negative outcomes for residents were obvious. Research shows eviction is directly correlated with job loss, disconnection from social support networks, homelessness, poor physical and mental health
outcomes, family stress and, sometimes, suicide. For the company, evictions also translated into financial burdens such as legal fees, costs to recruit new tenants, “make ready” costs to prepare for new tenants, forfeited income, debt and damage to their brand.
Joslyn Dobson, member of the Texas Social Work Advisory Council and shareholder of MSR’s parent company, Amherst, witnessed firsthand the impact of eviction on MSR residents. She proposed collaborating with Texas Social Work to develop a pilot program aimed at reducing eviction rates while promoting housing and financial stability for MSR residents.
"As a housing provider, I believe we have a duty to serve all stakeholders — residents, partners, communities, employees, and the environment," said Dobson. "By forming a dedicated team, we can showcase the profound value of social work and the
exceptional talents of its practitioners. Social workers are capable of extracting solutions from the most challenging circumstances, and integrating their expertise into housing and financial services supports residents while reimagining the potential impact of social work in new and innovative ways."
The School responded with a faculty-sponsored, studentled program to develop a pilot program of intervention protocols that could be standardized and replicated throughout the company. Joan Asseff (MSSW ’06) joined Texas Social Work to lead the effort, where she recruited four graduate students to develop an evidence-based model to support families in avoiding eviction. With MSR team members, they named their team the Client Assessment Resources Empowerment Services team or CARES.
Building success for residents and students
Within the first year of the program, eviction rates went down. Of the 111 residents who received full intervention services in the pilot program, more than 50% were still in their homes and 35% had reached financial stability, which the CARES team and MSR defined as having a zero balance 90 days after intervention.
Within two years, the CARES team had intervened with 537 residents, positively impacting the lives of 306 families with children and providing 988 referrals. Four MSSW students that had been placed at MSR went on to work in housing policy and administration for the state of Texas, creating long-term impact in emergency housing, homelessness and low-income housing assistance programs.
The program is now an integral part of MSR’s operations, supported by full-time social workers, program specialists, a housing counselor, and social work interns from Texas
Social Work. Several interns have transitioned into fulltime roles with CARES, including Allison Rottenberg (MSSW ’20), who began in 2018 as an MSSW first-field intern and today is the director of CARES.
MSR's Impact on Texas Social Work
Maryam Moghaddam (MSSW ’20), who also played a pivotal role in launching the MSR CARES program during her time at Texas Social Work, now serves as a lead CARES program specialist at MSR.
“As a proud alum, I am inspired to continue this industryleading program that empowers residents through challenging time," she said. "By connecting individuals to local resources and offering emotional support, we demonstrate the true essence of social work in action, uplifting both residents and the company alike.”
Since 2021, Moghaddam has also contributed to the development of future social workers by serving as a practicum field instructor for Texas Social Work students.
Thanks to the efforts of a dedicated team of Texas Social Work interns, what began as an experimental pilot project has evolved into a comprehensive, mainstream program supported by a team of nine full-time staff members. The program has expanded to include new initiatives, such as financial empowerment and housing counseling, and the CARES team members continue to serve as strong advocates for residents, helping them navigate community resources and address their needs within MSR.
"Nothing replaces the learning opportunities of practicum. Students learn the nuances of direct practice and how ethical considerations are made in the moment,” said Asseff. “They are building a muscle, and it takes practice.”
NEW ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD FORMED
The new Steve Hicks School of Social Work Alumni Association Board includes nine distinguished alumni that bring a depth of social work experience to this important advisory role.
The board will consist of nine alumni members and three Texas Social Work staff representatives: Director of the DiNitto Career Services Center and Alumni Relations, Executive Director of Development and Constituent Relations, and Director of Marketing and Communication.
Amy Mizcles
Vice President for Williamson County United Way Austin, Texas
Rep. Aftyn Behn
Tennessee State Representative Nashville, Tennessee
Jessica Shahin
Former Associate Administrator for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Washington, DC
Madeline Nassif
Director of Development, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Andrea Turnipseed, LCSW-S
Co-Founder, Roots Behavioral Health Austin, Texas
Anao Zhang, PhD, LCSW, ACSW, OSW-C, ACBT Assistant Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Rachel Cayton Barden, LCSW-S Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor Austin, Texas
Reginald Smith
Executive Director, Credible Messengers United Houston, Texas
Grace Farley
Community Philanthropy at Every Texan Austin, Texas
The establishment of the Alumni Association Board will help create a more dynamic and engaged alumni community across the nation, enhancing the relationship between the school and its graduates. The alumni board held its first meeting on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.
REPRESENTATIVE AFTYN BEHN BRINGS SOCIAL WORK TO POLITICS
Aftyn Behn (MSSW ‘12)
“cares loudly” about issues.
The 51st District Representative from Tennessee is concerned about corporate accountability, the rise of extremism in politics, gun violence, and a host of other issues in the Tennessee House of Representatives. Why?
Because as Rep. Behn states it simply for her constituents: “I am a social worker.”
"The best and highest use of my time"
As community organizer for the Tennessee Justice Center and Enough is Enough TN, Behn was already active in the Tennessee Statehouse and was prepared to take on a bigger role for change.
“I really feel like this is the best and highest use of my time,” said Behn. “The whole goal of my legislative career right now is to socialize big ideas so that eventually they are implemented.”
In 2023, after the death of a long-term representative, Behn decided to throw her hat into the ring. With the slogan “Care Loudly," Behn campaigned in a special election where she won the general election with 75.61% of the vote.
As a state representative, she now uses her legislative office to advocate for macro level policies, connects constituents to state resources, demystifies intense bureaucratic information, and aims to affect change from the inside.
From East Tennessee to Austin, Texas
Aftyn credits her social work perspective from growing up in Appalachia, then coming to The University of Texas at Austin to study social work.
In East Tennessee where she was raised, Behn saw discrepancies between peers during her school years that led to different outcomes based on income. Coupled with
history lessons on the Appalachian people transformed her into becoming a politically-active individual.
When it came time to choose a college, Behn knew she wanted to go to a large state school – one that differed greatly from her hometown.
“[UT] felt like the multicultural and multiethnic democracy that I want see in this world,” Behn said. “So for me, the takeaway was that I love how [UT] feels, looks, and tastes, so I want to give that experience to everyone else.”
Behn originally chose UT to study liberal arts, but upon returning for her master’s degree, she discovered social work.
“I think I went to the School of Social Work really looking for an experience that would help me not only further my career, but also help me understand the opportunities I have as a macro social worker,” said Behn. “I came out of it a fuller and more empathetic human.”
Social workers as government representatives
For social workers who want to get into macro policy work, Behn’s advice is simple: get involved, but prepare yourself.
“Politics are not for the faint of heart,” Behn said. “You need to have a lot of grit to be able to navigate all of the hostility and volatility.”
By taking a healthy pragmatism and real world understanding into the political landscape, supported by a supportive partner and support team, Behn knows that she – like other social workers in politics – does her work for the greater good.
After all, advocacy starts by caring loudly.
The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health joins the Steve Hicks School
Guided by a shared mission
The Hogg Foundation envisions a future in which all people in Texas thrive in communities that support mental health and well-being.
The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health officially joined UT Social Work in July 2024. As a part of the School, the foundation will continue to advance social work education and practice to promote mental health and behavioral health for all Texans.
This partnership will also expand UT Social Work’s ability to work in policy spaces and macro social work (like grant initiatives), further improving health and behavioral health in our state.
Mission-oriented from the beginning
Ima Hogg and her siblings created the foundation in 1940 with the stated aim of supporting mental health services and initiatives in Texas. That mission remains central today as the Hogg Foundation has a proven track record of working toward improvements in mental health funding, education, and public policy.
Today, the Hogg Foundation continues to focus on public health while addressing contemporary challenges in mental health. Dr. Octavio N. Martinez Jr., MD, MPH, became the foundation’s fifth executive director in 2008. Under his leadership, the foundation has made considerable strides in advancing mental health concepts and support systems, specifically in recovery and upstream community-led solutions.
“Our goal is to not only address immediate needs but to also pave the way for long-term systemic changes,” said Dr. Martinez. “By working closely with community partners and leveraging new research, we can create a more integrated and responsive mental health system.”
Leveraging policy
Through its policy unit, the Hogg Foundation works to positively impact mental health policy in Texas by providing education on a broad range of issues. In this area, the Foundation’s work includes policy and education programs that are also supported by UT Social Work, such as safe and
supportive schools, Medicaid, rural communities, and enhancing the mental health workforce.
“We are a proud part of The University of Texas at Austin and actively work on policies and initiatives that can change the world,” said Alison Mohr Boleware, Hogg Foundation director of policy. “We’re out there with advocates, policymakers, other funders, coalitions and workgroups who are all trying to leverage policy for the benefit of mental health in Texas.”
The foundation’s investment in policy reached a new level in 2010 with the launch of the Hogg Policy Academy and Policy Fellows initiative. Organizations receive two-year grants to hire an in-house policy fellow or peer policy fellow, who receives training and immersion in policymaking, systems-change, and mental health. Peer policy fellows bring their lived experience to the advocacy and policy sphere, ensuring more voices are at the table.
2025 and beyond
In support of the new partnership between UT Social Work and the Hogg Foundation, Stacey Jordan was named assistant vice president for interdepartmental affairs, effective Nov. 1, 2024. In this role, Stacey will lead efforts to ensure alignment and integration of the Hogg Foundation and UT Social Work’s projects, work, and mission. Stacey will also continue serving UT Social Work as assistant dean for administration & planning, chief of staff, and clinical assistant professor.
The Hogg Foundation’s commitment to mental health continues to drive its mission. With ongoing projects and new initiatives on the horizon, the Hogg Foundation remains dedicated to fostering an environment where mental health is prioritized and integrated into all aspects of community life.
“Our work is far from finished,” Dr. Martinez said. “We are committed to continuing our efforts to innovate, collaborate, and advocate for mental health. The challenges may evolve, but our dedication to creating a more equitable and effective mental health system will remain steadfast. We look forward to working with UT Social Work to nurture a new generation of social workers equipped to lead with compassion, advocate for justice, and enhance the mental and behavioral health of our communities.”
“We are committed to continuing our efforts to innovate, collaborate, and advocate for mental health. The challenges may evolve, but our dedication to creating a more equitable and effective mental health system will remain steadfast."
- Dr. Octavio Martinez, Executive Director Hogg Foundation for Mental Health
MATT SCOGGIN (BSW '87) DIVES INTO SOCIAL WORK AND OLYMPIC GLORY
In an effort to “keep his hair from graying from root to end” as an undergraduate, Matt Scoggin chose to switch majors. Then again. And finally, inspired by Becca Culver — his then-girlfriend, now-wife — Scoggin switched one more time and took the plunge into social work.
ACCOLADES & HONORS
• Two-time USOC National Diving Coach of the Year
• Coached Longhorns divers to 20 NCAA individual titles
• Six-time CSCAA Men's Diving Coach of the Year
• 18-time Big 12 Men's Diving Coach of the Year
“I just noticed that every day, at the end of the day, [Becca] was in a good mood,” said Scoggin, laughing as he admitted his final major switch brought him to a good mood as well.
Now, more than 35 years later, Scoggin uses his social work degree and the lessons he learned in social work every day –as a swimming and diving coach for both the Texas Longhorns and the United States Olympic team.
Scoggin, who competed in the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona as a diver, is fresh off coaching in his fifth Olympics on behalf of the United States. He was a leader in helping the United States win 29 total swimming and diving medals in Paris and is returning to coach the Texas Longhorns diving program for a 30 th season.
In his career, Scoggin has been highly decorated, and commended as one of the top diving coaches in the country. He’s a two-time United States Olympic Committee’s National Diving Coach of the Year, and as director of the Longhorns’ men’s and women’s diving program, Scoggin’s divers have claimed 23 individual NCAA championships and 114 individual conference titles.
And the reason behind his success? Scoggin credits the worldview that social work gave him, and how social work paved a smooth path into his coaching career.
Social work as a coaching method
There are many similarities between coaching groups of young adults and providing direct client care just as a social worker does, Scoggin said. Beyond
"The 'eye-opening' experiences that Scoggin learned from played a role in his coaching style, and he often got the opportunity to apply those social work lessons immediately as a coach."
the ever-changing dynamics and necessity of patience needed for college athletes or social work clients, both paths encourage personal advocacy and growth.
Much like a social worker, a coach has to encourage their athletes to improve themselves, realize their best selves, and prioritize their well-being as part of human flourishing.
And in a way, Scoggin started that coaching path with a social work lens early.
During his BSW, Scoggin spent his senior year practicum internship with the Legal Aid Society of Texas, which bestowed a further sense of community and empathy in him. While there, his daily tasks included working directly with clients by providing transportation to and from court appointments and supervising child custody visitation.
The “eye-opening” experiences that Scoggin learned from played a role in his coaching style, and he often got the opportunity to apply those social work lessons immediately as a coach.
Before completing his degree, Scoggin began his coaching career as an assistant for the Longhorn Diving Club. Less than a decade later, Scoggin was leading the official diving program at The University of Texas at Austin.
Encouraging the unusual path
Though his education and career path weren’t a conventional or linear path, Scoggin said he regrets none of the time he spent learning what he truly wanted to do.
“I would encourage people that if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing and you’ve got the time to make the switch, it’s better to make the switch when you can,” he said.
Once he started social work classes, particularly with Dr. Diana DiNitto as a professor, he realized that aerospace engineering, economics, nor petroleum engineering were not his callings.
Instead, he learned about social work, and used those lessons to become one of the top diving coaches in the world.
And at the end of the day, it still leaves him in a good mood.
NEWS FROM OUR ALUMNI
Guy Maddox, MSSW '78 passed away at age 71 on May 23, 2024, in Austin, Texas. He was a retired licensed clinical social worker who counseled soldiers at Fort Hood and held a private therapy practice.
We always want to hear from our alumni! If you have news to share, send an email to utopian@utlists.utexas.edu.
Jacqueline Corcoran, MSSW, Ph.D. '96 published new book entitled "Your Child's Mental Health Diagnosis: A Comprehensive and Compassionate Guide for Parents."
Valerie Gonzalez, BSW '78 was featured in Hello Longhorn, a podcast by Texas Exes. Gonzalez operates Delicious Tamales, which is now the largest retail tamale kitchen in San Antonio.
Jonathan Singer, MSSW '96 published the book "Podcasting in Social Work Education: A Way Forward for Educators" Routledge; 1st edition.
Robin Rosell, MSSW '82 retired as the Director of Integrated Behavioral Program and Tandem of People's Community Clinic after 30 years of service.
Scott Colyer, MSSW '05 passed away at age 51 on August 26, 2023 in St. Louis, MO. He served as a mental health counselor in the Greater St. Louis region.
Hannah Songer, BSW, MSSW '21 became a Mental Health Clinician with Amergis Healthcare.
Janet Taylor, MSSW '85 passed away in Lincolnton, NC on December 18, 2023. She ran a Individual and Family Counseling practice in North Carolina.
Brandon Wollerson, MSSW '06 became Senior Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement at Vivent Health
Hydeen Beverly, Ph.D. '21 who serves as a Special Instructor of Social Work at Oakland University Mental Health Counselor at Lawrence Technological University, started a secondary role at Lawrence Technological University as a Mental Health Counselor.
Gabrielle Taylor Laden, MSSW '21 started a role as a therapist at Mindful Connections Counseling
Liana Petruzzi, MSSW, Ph.D. '22 became an assistant professor faculty member at American University, focusing on health and education equity research.
Luanne Southern MSSW '93 joined Texas Department of Family and Protective Services as its new Chief Strategist for Behavioral Health.
Kamini Verma, LCSW-S, RPT-S, MSSW '10 became the child and adolescent lead clinician at the Samaritan Center in Austin, Texas.
Weiwen Zeng, Ph.D. '23 started a new position as Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work.
Ruth Fagan-Wilen, Ph.D. '95 earned the Lifetime Achievement Award from NASW Texas.
Yeonwoo Kim, Ph.D. '18 received the Junior Career Achievement Award at the 2024 CSWE APM. She is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at Arlington Department of Kinesiology.
Matt Riley, MSSW '24 became an associate therapist at Lindsey Hoskins & Associates.
Estate of Dr. David H. Johnson establishes new endowed professorship
A significant gift from the estate of Dr. David H. Johnson (Ph.D. '06) will create a new endowed professorship and provide new scholarship funding for doctoral students.
An additional gift from Dr. Johnson’s estate will initially be utilized to help fund doctoral students engaging in research and study on a global scale. Subsequently, this gift may be used in support of a wider range of interests and opportunities in the doctoral program.
Often called “DJ” while in school, Dr. Johnson deeply valued the time he spent at UT Austin and the School of Social Work. He developed enduring relationships with staff, faculty, administrators, and classmates at UT. He loved his career in teaching and especially mentoring social work students.
The mission of our school and alumni is to provide national leadership to promote social and economic justice, alleviate critical social problems, and enhance human well-being.
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