UNC CHARLOTTE
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK SYNERGY
Welcome to Synergy, the fourth issue of the bi- annual journal of the School of Social Work. Synergy was created to profile the critical role the School plays with this diverse University and engaged community. Please enjoy the Spring/Summer edition and mark your calendars for our Fall events.
January – June 2018
The UNC Charlotte School of Social Work graduate program is tied for 54th in the 2018-2019 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The program improved four places from the previous year. “The upward trend in national rankings is a testament to our mission to prepare social work leaders in areas of culturally-informed, communityengaged practice, policy, and research, with a particular emphasis on persistent and emerging social problems in rapidly diversifying urban areas, “said Director Dr. Schnavia Hatcher.
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS Dr. Schnavia Hatcher was promoted to rank of Full Professor. She joins Dr. Cheryl Waites Spellman as our two Full Professors in the School of Social Work. This reflects great confidence from the University leadership in Schnavia and recognition of her accomplishments in scholarship, research teaching and service throughout her academic career.
Dr. Schnavia S. Hatcher, Director School of Social Work Schnavia.Hatcher@uncc.edu
The School of Social Work co-sponsored an event with the Community Advisory Board. The panel, entitled Connecting Community Through Collaboration: Addressing the Grand Challenges of Social Work, was facilitated by Dr. Ticola Ross. The School of Social Work partnered with Cardinal Innovations Healthcare to sponsor Small Business Behavioral Healthcare Week as part of the PROVIDER 360 project led by BSW Program Director, Sonyia Richardson. The forum was entitled, “Sustaing Your Business through Medicaid Reform” and was held on May 3rd at Cardinal Innovations Healthcare. It included a keynote addresss from Dave Richard, Deputy Secretary for Medical Assistance, and a panel of industry experts. Dr. Hatcher provided opening remarks on behalf of the School of Social Work.
UNC CHARLOTTE
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK SYNERGY
January – June 2018
Faculty Highlights Continued Dr. Drew Reynolds was featured in the campus-wide faculty showcase and professional development workshop in late April. Did you know… The University of North Carolina Charlotte now has the second-largest undergraduate population in the UNC system - and that's just the beginning. 23,914 undergrads 5,403 master’s and doctoral students.
Professor Angela Sepulveda, a part-time faculty member, was presented the Graduate Teaching Award. Angela has taught for many years, both in the classroom and in the field as a liaison. Dr. Annelise Mennicke was awarded the Dean’s Award for Innovative Research. This is a tremendous recognition, but even more amazing in that Annelise just advanced through the mid-tenure review process, meaning she is still considered a junior faculty member but her research is very highly recognized and respected. Dr. Susan McCarter assisted in facilitating the Race Matters for Juvenile Justice Community Presentation Series for 2018. Dr. McCarter was also presented with the Community Engagement Award in recognition of her many years of community engaged research and service.
What’s Really Working to Improve Economic Opportunity for Charlotte’s Children and Youth? Join UNC Charlotte and our nonprofit partners as we answer that critical question through presentations, performances, and exhibits. Dr. Drew Reynolds, Dr. Lori Thomas and Stacy Lowry presented, “Actionable Intelligence for Social Policy: The case of family homelessness”. Dr. Lori Thomas along with Stacy Lowry and Dr. Jenny Hutchison presented, “Of Consequences & Collaboration: The Housing First Charlotte-Mecklenburg Research & Evaluation Project”. Dr. Susan McCarter presented, “Charlotte’s First Racial Equity Impact Analysis”.
Charlotte Opportunity Research Showcase April 30, 2018, Center City
UNC CHARLOTTE
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK SYNERGY
January – June 2018
Faculty Highlights continued Dr. Annelise Mennicke attended the 11th Academic Health & Policy Conference on Correctional Health in Houston, TX on and presented, “Exploring mothering identities among incarcerated women: Opportunities for intervention”. Professor Sonyia Richardson attended the 16th Annual Hawaii International conference on education in Honnolulu, HA on 1/3-1/7/18 to present paper, “Finally moving the needle forward: Using our experiences to further the research”. Dr. Ticola Ross attended the Conference on African American & African Diasporic Cultures & Experiences in Chapel Hill, NC on 2/21/18 to present, “What happens in therapy, stays in therapy: Exploring the messages African Americans receive about mental health via black online media outlets”. Dr. Diana Rowan and Professor Roger Suclupe attended the Social Work Distance Education Conference in San Antonio, TX on 4/11-4/13/18. Dr. Diana Rowan attended the National Council on Black Studies Conference in Atlanta on 3/14-3/16/18 and presented paper, “Studying Abroad in Malawi: African American students’ evolving historical identity intersecting minority statuses of black MSM and transwomen” Professor Roger Suclupe attended the Latino Social Workers Organization meeting in Seattle, WA on 3/21-3/24/18 and presented, “Taking the first step: How programs responding to a growing Latino population can prepare social work students through learning for advocacy”. Professor Roger Suclupe attended the Cross Cultural Conference in Myrtle Beach, SC on 2/16-2/18/18 and presented, “Puentes Para Todos: The need for Latino mental health services – evaluating a current community program”. Dr. Lori Thomas attended the Housing First Partners Conference in Denver, CO on 4/8-4/12/18 and presented, “Vetting the VI-SPDAT: Examining the use and measurement validity of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s key housing prioritization tool for individuals experiencing chronic homelessness”.
UNC CHARLOTTE
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK SYNERGY
January – June 2018
Community Engagement Campus Community Celebrates the Opening of the Light Rail Station on Campus – March 16th
University leaders and more than 400 current and former local, state and federal officials, business and community leaders and representatives from Charlotte Area Transit Service (CATS) participated in a ribbon cutting at a new light rail stop on UNC Charlotte’s main campus, acknowledging one of the most transformational projects in the history of the University.
Professor Roger Suclupe facilitated, on May 4th, the 2nd Annual Latinx Mental Health Summit, which brought together local clinicians to discuss mental health struggles within the Latinx community. Dr. Cheryl Waites Spellman is the study director of a research group looking for long distance caregivers to participate in a focus group discussion. Qualified participants are family or friends who provide care to a loved one who lives one hour or more from the care recipient. Group begins June through October 2018. Dr. Ticola Ross and Professor Amy Peters participated in National Volunteer Week where UNC Charlotte employees volunteer in opportunities during April. They volunteered at Baby Bundles on Tuesday, April 17th from 10 am – 12:30 pm.
UNC CHARLOTTE
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK SYNERGY
January – June 2018
Student Highlights Mara Klem-O'Connor, a graduating BSW, won a research award at the Undergraduate Research Conference!
The Early Childhood Mental Health Graduates in May were: Ashley Crump, Jennifer Greene, Ionna Kosti, Kristen Wodarczyk, Chantel Edwards, Sarah Frantz, Jared Ginsburg The Child Welfare Collaborative Graduates in May were: BSW - Brooklyn Coggins, Jamera Davis, Brandy Frye, Lisa Lowery, Jillian McDowell, Crystal McLean, Lydia McNamara, Araceli Mondragon-Casas, Carly Patterson MSW – Aaliyah Escalera, Jordyn Haney, Erin Mallonee, Lusu Ndawillie, Kia Phillips, Hannah Kessler, Kristen Wodarczyk Dr. Suzanne Boyd and Professor Sonyia Richardson served as mentors for two Charlotte Research Scholars: Brittany Anderson and Abby Waters. 81 MSW Students Graduated in May 2018.
Phi Alpha Honor Society Members Induction Ceremony 5/4/18
UNC CHARLOTTE
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK SYNERGY
January – June 2018
STAY CONNECTED Are you a UNC Charlotte Social Work alumni? Please add or update your information on the alumni form so that we may provide news updates, special invitations, continuing education opportunities, and more. The form can be found at https://goo.gl/forms/CshCoxIrYb8GZE0u1
The contact information will be held and managed by the UNC Charlotte School of Social Work and will only be used in connection with alumni activities and events. If you have any questions, email the SSW at socialwork@uncc.edu. Thank you for staying connected!
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