Michelle McCann, Director of Social Work Counseling Services (SWCS) and Clinical Assistant Professor, has decided to leave Widener as of June 30th and return to the corporate world.  Michelle received her MSW from Widener in 2004.  She joined SWCS in 2008 as a supervisor and coordinator of the Circle for Change (CFC) program serving long-term welfare recipients.  CFC was an innovative program that incorporated a strengths perspective in helping the program participants overcome barriers to their joining the world of work.  Michelle and her CFC team of interns had remarkable success in helping women who had been on welfare for years make significant changes in their lives.

In July 2011, Michelle became the Director of SWCS and began teaching foundation practice courses in the MSW program.  Michelle has been a highly successful classroom teacher and is viewed by her students as being very supportive and nurturing.  We are sorry to see Michelle leave the Center for Social Work Education, but respect her decision to pursue opportunities and use her clinical skills in the financial industry.  We thank her for her many significant contributions to SWCS and for the students she has supervised, mentored, and taught.  We wish Michelle the very best in her new journey.

Many graduate students experience stress and other issues that require counseling and support.  Unfortunately, our part-time MSW students and full-time Psy.D students are not allowed to use the university counseling center. The MSW students are not eligible because of their part-time status and the Psy.D students because the counseling center is staffed by Psy.D interns.

The Center for Social Work Education and the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology are looking for a therapist who can provide short-term counseling services to our graduate students.  Counseling will be provided at the Social Work Counseling Services (SWCS) facility on campus. We would like to contract with a therapist who can provide counseling services to our students for a discounted fee in exchange for the use of the SWCS counseling offices for their practice.  The service would be free for the students.  The negotiated fees would be paid by social work or clinical psychology.  If you are interested in exploring this further, please call John Poulin at 610-499-1150 or email [email protected].

Liz Braccia is currently a junior in the dual degree BSW/Gender and Women Studies

program here at Widener University.  She has been the president of the BSW Club for the past two years and is also the president of the sorority Tri-Sigma.  Liz currently serves as one of two BSW students on the Center Advisory Board.  In addition to all of that, her main project this semester is acting as Committee Chair of Take Back the Night, an annual event around raising awareness about sexual violence.  

Liz has been dedicated to helping people her entire life.  In high school she always said if she could make a career out of volunteering, she would.  When Liz discovered the field of social work at the age of 16, she knew it was the perfect career path for her.  As of now, Liz would be happy working with any population, but her primary interest lies in working with victims of trauma and being an advocate for women dealing with domestic violence and/or sexual abuse.

After her expected graduation in May 2014, Liz plans to continue her education by pursuing her MSW.  She hopes to get accepted into an advanced standing program.  In regards to her future career as a social worker, Liz is interested in working in a hospital setting and in getting her EMDR certificate.  We wish Liz the best of luck during the rest of her time here at Widener and want to extend our appreciation for her many wonderful contributions to the Center!

Room A:

12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Basic Self Defense With State Troopers

1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Basic Self Defense With State Troopers

2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Dana Forrest, "How Men can be More Involved in Issues of Violence Against Women"

3 p.m. - 3:45 p.m

Victoria Panna, Human Sexuality Doctoral Student, "The Sexual Victimizing of Men"

Room C:

12 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Blake Cohen, Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, "Dating Violence 101"

1 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Dr. Angela Corbo, PhD, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, "Communicating About Abuse"

2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Blake Cohen, Domestic Abuse Project of Delaware County, "Dating Violence 101"

3:20 - 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Angela Corbo, PhD, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, "Communicating About Abuse"

The day will culminate with a talk from the keynote speaker, Debra Puglisi-Sharp, at 5:30pm in the Webb Room.  Ms. Puglisi-Sharp, author of Shattered, Reclaiming a Life Torn Apart by Violence, wife, nurse, and mother of teenage twins, was attacked, raped, and kept hostage for five days by a man who broke into her home and shot and killed her husband of 25 years.  She promotes the understanding of the difference between a survivor and a victim and urges rape victims to reclaim their shattered lives. Following her talk, attendees will be invited to participate in a Speak Out in the Webb Room starting at 7pm.  A speak out provides individuals with a safe environment in which to speak about their experiences with sexual violence.

Everyone is welcome to attend and your support and participation will be very meaningful.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Committee Chair, Liz Braccia, at [email protected]. We hope to see you there!

• "Bringing hope and support to those who need it most"
• "The fight for social justice"
• "Creating limitless possibilities"
• "Saving lives one person at a time"
• "Love for humanity and equal rights for all" 
• "Community"

Thank you to the NABSW for introducing a unique project that has reminded us all of social work's values and intentions and thank you to all who participated. Happy Social Work Month!

The first annual Careers in Social Work Conference was a success! The Master's of Social Work Student Organization (MSWSO) imagined this conference increasing students' knowledge and motivation for when they enter the Social Work field. In collaboration with the Center for Social Work Education, MSWSO achieved its goal. Approximately 30 students attended and found the conference valuable. To start, Amy Sagen, the NASW representative, presented on the importance of becoming licensed and what steps are involved in the licensing process. One student confessed that they were anxious about moving across state lines because they were unsure of how that would affect their licensure. Ms. Sagen comforted them by clarifying how to become licensed across the United States and what to do if you relocate. The rest of the morning was filled with professional development information presented by Mary McCaffrey from Career Services. Ninety percent of students stated that learning how to improve their resume and up their interview game was extremely useful.

During lunch, representatives from NHS spoke with students about job opportunities. Also, students were engaged by Human Sexuality Student Organization (HSEDSO) representatives and the MSWSO board. The afternoon began with Victoria Panna informing students about Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP).  She shed light on an interesting therapeutic aid and provided students with research supporting its efficacy. Following her, Kimberly McKay taught students about the lessons she has learned along the way.  She also helped students explore their career options. The final piece of the afternoon was a panel, organized by the Alumni Organization, consisting of Lydia DeBiase, Louis Grow, and Jennifer Rose. They told students about their agencies and advised them on how to navigate difficult situations. They conveyed to students the high value of a Masters degree and described their most rewarding and challenging experiences. One student expressed that "the presentations were varied, which opened up options I wouldn't have otherwise known." Another shared that the presentations were "diverse in concepts and areas of knowledge." Overall, students appreciated the "vast amount of information" given to them and they hope that there will be a second annual Careers in Social Work Conference.