PROGRESS REPORT
CREATING LEGENDARY CHANGE
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TEACHING. ADVOCATING. MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
OUR MISSION
The University of Alabama’s School of Social Work prepares scholar-practitioners and researchers committed to ending adverse social conditions and promoting societal well-being through teaching, research and service.
LEGENDARY CHANGE.
"Legendary Change," our school's new theme and hashtag, embodies the University of Alabama School of Social Work's unwavering commitment to transforming communities and improving lives through innovative teaching, impactful research, and dedicated service. Rooted in our mission to prepare scholar-practitioners and researchers, Legendary Change reflects the tireless efforts of our students and faculty to tackle pressing social challenges, dismantle systemic barriers, and promote societal well-being. Our students are not just advocates for change but leaders in creating lasting, transformative impacts that resonate across generations. Through their work, they carry forward a legacy of social justice, equity, and empowerment truly making a legendary difference in the world.
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN DR. SCHNAVIA SMITH HATCHER
I’m excited to present the school’s annual progress report, celebrating our achievements, and eagerly looking forward to the future. As we reflect on the past year, it’s clear that our commitment to excellence in education, student advocacy, and professional development continues to thrive. Our students have embraced international internships in countries like Spain, Ghana, Guatemala, and Ireland, gaining invaluable cross-cultural experiences that foster personal growth and enhance their professional development. These experiences equip them to navigate the complex challenges of today’s world, reinforcing the global perspective essential to modern social work.
Our experiential learning program remains a cornerstone of our curriculum, offering hands-on opportunities that bridge classroom learning with real-world application. Through these placements, our students are making a meaningful impact on individuals, families, and communities, showcasing the essential role of social work in society. In addition, students demonstrated their dedication to social justice and advocacy during the Washington, D.C. Policy and Advocacy Fly-In, where they actively engaged with policymakers. This year, we saw a record number of participants, and we expect this momentum to continue. As we look ahead, we’re excited about the opportunities before us and remain dedicated to innovation and excellence. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to our faculty, staff, students, and partners for their unwavering support. Together, we are shaping a brighter future for social work.
Schnavia Smith Hatcher
$2.8millionofthisamountisin scholarshipendowments
25TH Affordability
Ranked25thNationallyfor AffordableOnlineMaster’s
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Offer distinctive curricular programs that provide our students with an exceptional learning experience to prepare them as global citizens
Cultivate interdisciplinary, community-engaged, researchbased knowledge to address social problems, transform lives and develop solutions & future researchers that change our world for the better
Promote a healthy environment with broad representation to support the contributions of a range of leaders with distinctive ideas within the discipline and to promote the overall wellbeing of our faculty, staff and students
Promote a healthy environment with broad representation to support the contributions of a range of leaders with distinctive ideas within the discipline and to promote the overall wellbeing of our faculty, staff and students
The University of Alabama’s School of Social Work prepares scholarpractitioners and researchers committed to ending adverse social conditions and promoting societal well-being through teaching, research and service
Teaching Research Service
DR.BRIANBRIDE
Hill Crest Endowed Chair in Mental Health
Assistant Professor
Instructor
Instructor
DISTINGUISHED ADDITIONS TO OUR EXCEPTIONAL TEAM
The University of Alabama School of Social Work proudly hosts distinguished faculty renowned for their expertise, research, and dedication to advancing social change. This year, we are excited to welcome new additions to our faculty, who bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to both research and practice, further enriching our commitment to fostering legendary change in the field of social work.
DR.SAMANTHAGUZ
KEISHAPICKENS
RAHIMTHAWER
LEGENDARY FACULTY.
LEGENDARY
IMPACT.
The faculty at The University of Alabama School of Social Work are dedicated to creating a lasting impact through innovative research, leadership, and a commitment to addressing critical social issues in communities locally and globally.
DR.ELLENCSIKAI
Conducting Fulbright-funded research in Murcia, Spain
DR.HEEYUNLEE
DR.CATHERINCARLSON
Conducting funded research in Uganda and the Philippines
DR.NICOLERUGGIANO
Conducting funded research in Korea
Visiting Scholar at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland
FACULTY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
DR.HYUNJINNOH
Chosen as a Sojourns Scholar Leadership Fellow by the Cambia Health Foundation
DR.SEBRENAJACKSON
Received the CSWE award for Distinguished Recent Contributions to Social Work Education Award
DR.SHERRONWILKES
Named 2023 Social Work Pioneer 51st Alabama-Mississippi Social Work Education Conference
DR.LAURAHOPSON
DR.SCHNAVIASMITHHATCHER
Nominated to the Grand Challenges for Social Work Leadership Board and appointed to the Executive Committee
DR.LAURAHOPSON
Received the CSWE award for Early Career Faculty Service and Leadership in Social Work Education
DR.LEAHCHEATHAMANDBRENDASMITH
Appointed as Co-Editors-In-Chief for high-impact journal, Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
Social Work Month Award for Empowering Social Workers
DR.DALILAJOHN
Appointed to CSWE's CRECD Council
DR.LAURAHOPSON
Selected as a RCMAR Scholar by The Resource Center for Minority Aging Research
DR.LEAHCHEATHAMANDBRENDASMITH
Appointed as Co-Editors-In-Chief for high-impact journal, Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
A YEAR OF EVENTS
During the 2023- 2024 year, the School of Social Work hosted a wide range of events that fostered community, inspired learning, and celebrated our students, faculty, and alumni. From professional development and engaging workshops to community service initiatives and networking events, each gathering strengthened our commitment to social work excellence and our mission of creating #LegendaryChange. These events offered invaluable opportunities for connection and growth.
VISIT THE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK’S EVENTS PAGE
https://bit.ly/UA-SSW-Events
CSWE APM
The UA School of Social Work proud to have had many of it’s and students present at the 2 Annual Council on Social Wor Education Conference.
WASHINGTON DC POLICY & ADVOCACY FLY-IN
During this two-day intensive program, students received training in policy research, analysis, and advocacy from experts at organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers, the Council on Social Work Education, and others.
HOMECOMING TAILGATE
The Annual School of Social Work Alumni Tailgate is a tradition that brings together our Alumni and celebrates the impact they making. The 2023 Tailgate featured the 1st Annual Alumni Awards.
ALABAMA SOCIAL WORK HALL OF FAME
The School of Social Work was honored to induct dedicated social work leaders Audrey Ellis and Beatrice Johnson into the Alabama Social Work Hall of Fame.
DR. ETHEL HALL ANNUAL CELEBRATION
Each year, the SSW honors Dr. Ethel H. Hall’s profound contributions to creating a more equitable society during Black History Month in February.
MLK UNITY MARCH
The UA School of Social Work and members of the Tuscaloosa community walked as one at the 2024 MLK Unity march.
2023 UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN EXCEEDS $400,000 GOAL
The School of Social Work successfully hosted the annual University of Alabama United Way campaign, aiming to raise $400,000 to support those in need throughout West Alabama. The campaign theme chosen by the school?
Supporting a Stronger World: United for Impact.
Thanks to the generosity of donors, we raised $401,643 and surpassed our goal, embodying the spirit of the campaign. This achievement reflects the collective efforts of the UA community, whose contributions are making a lasting difference both locally and beyond.
TENURE TRACK ASSISTANT PROFESSORS WITH GRANT FUNDING 100%
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY SSW FACULTY
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED WITH SSW COLLABORATORS
CONTINUING EXTERNAL FUNDING FOR SSW FACULTY-INVOLVED RESEARCH PROJECTS
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Outstanding Dissertation Award
Doctoral student Edson Chipalo was recognized at the 2023-2024 Outstanding Graduate Student Awards Ceremony for his outstanding work on his dissertation. This award acknowledges his academic excellence and the significant contributions of his research to the field.
Terrell Richardson Named CSWE Minority Fellowship Program Doctoral Fellow
Terrell Richardson, a PhD student at the University of Alabama School of Social Work, has been selected as the 2024-2025 CSWE Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) doctoral fellow. Dr. Daphne Cain is his proud advisor.
The purpose of the program is to reduce health disparities and improve health-care outcomes of racially and ethnically diverse populations by increasing the number of culturally competent behavioral health professionals with doctoral degrees available to underserved populations in the public and private nonprofit sectors.
MEET DSW CANDIDATE SHAKIMA
Shakima Tozay, a Doctoral candidate at the University of Alabama School of Social Work, has not had the usual pathway to navigate the field of social work Selfdescribed as a “military social worker,” Tozay is well-versed in multiple different social work disciplines and social workadjacent fields. Her introduction to the field of social work started during her time in the military as a residential addictions counselor and a foster care case worker. After pursuing a master’s and doctorate in Social Work, Tozay was selected to be a CSWE Policy Fellow for the 2022 Cohort
Q and A with Shakima Tozay
Q- First, tell us a little about yourself, your background, where you are from, where you live and what you do now Whatever you feel comfortable sharing
A- I was born and raised in the Bronx, New York I joined the U S Navy at age 17 I have lived in many states and traveled abroad to Antarctica, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Alaska, Hawaii, and even Antarctica My service in the military brought me to Washington State, where I currently live with my spouse I worked as an Operations Specialist in the Navy as a radar technician while stationed on the U S S Camden A O E 2, stationed out of Bremerton, WA
I left the service in 2001 to pursue a different career and continue my education I was unsure what to do, so I worked several jobs to figure out the best fit I worked as a nurse’s aide, teacher’s assistant, foster care case aid, and residential addictions counselor Holding many of these roles introduced me to the social services field
Q- What first attracted you to Social Work, and what led you down this path?
A- I always say Social Work found me I started a zig-zag path I initially gravitated towards law, teaching, and nursing Still, I continued to seek out social services roles because I enjoyed the work and was passionate about making a real difference in the lives of people who needed it
Having grown up in the Bronx, I also witnessed a lot of trauma experiences at a young age Social work’s social justice focus drew me to the profession It was the only profession that seemed to center on advocating for disadvantaged communities and giving these communities the tools to navigate complex systems to receive the right care and services. I decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary arts and sciences with a minor in education because I was still not sold on being a social worker then. As a child, I wanted to be a teacher and saw my strengths in that light, but a shift happened for me, and I pursued my master’s in social work from the University of Washington shortly after graduating. I believe I was drawn to the versatility of the degree, and I’ve heard from co-workers in the field how significant it was to obtain the M.S.W. to move into other roles and leadership positions and be more marketable. So, I jumped both feet in, applied, and was selected for the program.
Read the Article
https://bit ly/UA SSW Shakima
BLACK BELT INTERNSHIP INITIATIVE
Ashia Winston Serves Rural Alabama
Tuscaloosa native and graduate student Aisha Winston spent the past academic year serving her local community and others in rural Alabama as part of the UA School of Social Work’s new Black Belt Internship Initiative.
“Alabama’s Black Belt holds a rich history of migration and integration of social justice and has become a region defined by its dire socioeconomic situation,” she said.
While the health disparities facing the Black Belt are not new, Winston said she sees hope in what its residents, and other advocates, are trying to accomplish.
The 2023-2024 academic year served as the pilot year for the internship program. In August four graduate students from Alabama’s Black Belt region will return home to address health care disparities. Currently, second-year master’s students chosen for the internship are required to be from that region with plans to put their education into action in those communities.
The students will work with civic leaders, state politicians and families to help find solutions for the area’s underserved population in the arenas of policy, needs and awareness, funding, and grants. Additionally, they will work with those community partners to find the gaps between needs and solutions.
Read the Article
https://bit ly/AshiaWinston BlackBelt
ADVANCEMENT RECORD BREAKING SUPPORT
The University of Alabama School of Social Work has experienced a remarkable 20% year-over-year increase in individual donors, marking our highest donor count since the onset of COVID-19. This growth reflects our supporters' strong and renewed commitment, with over 3,100 gifts contributed by 920 dedicated donors. Together, these contributions have reached an impressive total of $6.7 million, fueling our mission to create a lasting impact in social work education, research, and community service.
