PROGRESS REPORT
CREATING LEGENDARY CHANGE
2025
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, Guate and Ireland, gaining invaluable cross-cultural experiences that 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 soc 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
TEACHING. ADVOCATING. MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
OUR MISSION
The University of Alabama 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.
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK’S STRATEGIC PLAN
GOAL 1 EDUCATION GOAL 2 RESEARCH & SCHOLARSHIP
Offer distinctive curricular programs that provide our students with an exceptional learning experience to prepare them as global citizens.
Cultivate interdisciplinary, community-engaged, research-based knowledge to address social problems, transform lives and develop solutions & future researchers that change our world for the better.
GOAL 3 CULTURE GOAL 4 SERVICE & OUTREACH
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.
BLACK BELT INTERNSHIP INITIATIVE
The School of Social Work’s Black Belt Internship Initiative continues to strengthen communities across rural Alabama, with students contributing over 80,000 hours of service in 17 counties during the 2024–2025 year, creating an estimated $2.7 million economic impact.
Launched in 2023, the initiative provides students with immersive, community-driven practicum placements, such as helping establish the Selma-Dallas County Children’s Policy Alliance with 21 local partners,while building a pipeline of future social work professionals dedicated to serving the Black Belt region.
Scan the QR Code to view our 2025 Black Belt Internship Initiative video
MEGAN DAVENPORT MSW Practicum Coordinator & Instructor
DR. DONNA T. HORNSBY Clinical Assistant Professor
DR. LACEY JENKINS Assistant Professor
MEET OUR NEW FACULTY!
DR. VANESSA L.
Clinical Assistant Professor
The University of Alabama School of Social Work proudly welcomes our newest faculty members, whose knowledge, passion, and commitment will impact our community and strengthen our mission to advance 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 leading legendary change in the field of social work.
JONES
DR. PHILIP KIERCE Clinical Assistant Professor
JOHNNA MATTHEWS Instructor
CHRISTA MCCRORIE Continuing Education Coordinator & Instructor
DR. PEIYUAN ZHANG Assistant Professor
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 that impact communities locally and globally.
DR. BRIAN BRIDE
Received a $2.4 million grant from HRSA to support workforce development training across Alabama for mental health services.
DR. TENESHA LITTLETON
DR. LINDAMARIE OLSON
Conducting funded research about the health, social, and economic needs among custodial grandparents raising their children in the Alabama Black Belt.
Selected as an inaugural fellow of the Alabama Life Research Institute (ALRI) to examine how brain imaging technology can lead to better understanding about trauma among youth.
DR. NICOLE RUGGIANO
Selected as a Council on Research Leadership Fellow by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU).
OUR FACULTY LEADERS
DR. HYUNJIN NOH
Appointed by Kay Ivey to the Advisory Board for the Governor's Office of Minority
Affairs
DR. SHERRON WILKES
Received the CSWE award for Early Career Faculty Service and Leadership in Social Work Education
DR. DALILA JOHN
Named a Faculty Teaching Fellow by the University of Alabama Teaching Academy
AMY MCLEAN
Accepted into the CSWE Teaching Academy
DR. LINDAMARIE OLSON
Alabama Life Research Institute Research Fellow
RAHIM THAWER
Awarded the Leader Award by the Toronto Area Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW)
DR. TENESHA LITTLETON
Selected as a RCMAR Scholar by The Resource Center for Minority Aging Research
A YEAR OF EVENTS
During the 2024-2025 year, the School of Social Work hosted a wide range of events that impacted our 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, leadership, and growth.
CSWE APM
The UA School of Social Work is proud to have had many of it’s faculty and students present at the 2024 Annual Council on Social Work Education Conference.
ALUMNI TAILGATE
The Annual School of Social Work Alumni Tailgate is a tradition that brings together our Alumni and celebrates the impact they making. The 2024 Tailgate featured the 2nd Annual Alumni Awards.
ALABAMA SOCIAL WORK HALL OF FAME
The School of Social Work was honored to induct dedicated social work leader James Slaughter into the Alabama Social Work Hall of Fame.
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.
VOTING CAMPAIGN
During the fall, we launched a voting campaign encouraging students to register and head to the polls, highlighting the importance of civic engagement in social work’s mission to amplify voices and create legendary change.
This year, the School of Social Work proudly celebrates 60 years since its establishment in 1965—marking six decades of legendary change. Since its founding, the School has been dedicated to educating compassionate and skilled social work professionals who advance equity, service, and justice in their communities. The 60th anniversary serves as a time to honor our rich history, recognize the lasting impact of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff, and celebrate the School’s continued commitment to transforming lives through social work. Through special events and storytelling initiatives, we are reflecting on our legacy while looking ahead to the next 60 years of innovation and impact.
RESEARCH FUNDING TENURE TRACK ASSISTANT
PROFESSORS WITH GRANT FUNDING 100%
CONTINUING AWARDS LED BY SSW
CONTINUING AWARDS SUPPORTED BY SSW 11 26
NSF RANKING AMONG SOCIAL WORK PROGRAMS IN FEDERAL RESEARCH EXPENDITURES 13TH
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED BY SSW FACULTY
PROPOSALS SUBMITTED WITH SSW COLLABORATORS 15 43
NEW & CONTINUING EXTERNAL FUNDING FOR SSW FACULTY-INVOLVED RESEARCH PROJECTS NEW AWARDS LED OR SUPPORTED BY SSW $6M $19.3M
INCREASE IN ANNUAL PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS 27%
NUMBER OF FACULTY-STUDENT PARTNERSHIPS FOR RESEARCH
CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP PRESENTATIONS
OUR STUDENT LEADERS
Aaliyah Gates Named CSWE Minority Fellowship Program Master's Fellow
MSW Student Aaliyah Gates was selected as a 2025-2026 CSWE Master’s Minority Fellowship Program Fellow, a prestigious national program supporting social work students dedicated to addressing mental health and substance use needs in racial and ethnic minority communities.
Elisa Robinson Named BSW Program Representative on the CSWE Board of Directors
BSW Student Elisa Robinson has been elected to serve on the CSWE Board of Directors as the BSW Program Representative. She brings a deep commitment to social and economic justice, paired with a strong work ethic and leadership, offering a valuable perspective that will help advance social work education nationally and internationally.
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 3,200 gifts contributed by 920 dedicated donors. Together, these contributions have reached an impressive total of $7.1 million, fueling our mission to create a lasting impact in social work education, research, and community service.
21
NEW SCHOLARSHIPS
221
FIRST TIME DONORS
2
ENDOWED FACULTY POSITIONS
59% OF SUPPORT FROM SCHOLARSHIPS
27% OF SUPPORT FROM FACULTY
$7.1M IN GIFTS FROM OVER 3200 GIFTS
15% OF SUPPORT HAS COME FROM PROGRAM SUPPORT, INCLUDING THE DC FLY IN
