LETTER FROM THE DEAN

Dear Social Work Students,

 

I hope you will be active participants in the Martin Luther King Day events this coming Monday and continuing through the week. Please check the University calendar (you must scroll down a little to the section on Martin Luther King events) for the many exciting, illuminating, and inspiring programs that will be available. Also, please check our own SSW calendar to identify some of the events that are sponsored and co-sponsored by the School of Social Work and planned by our students and faculty. There is more information on these in the announcements below. An additional co-sponsored event is the Martin Luther King Jr. Symposium for the Health Sciences, in which our School of Social Work is a participant. I look forward to seeing many of you at these events.

 

With regards,

Laura Lein


ACCOLADES

This year the Office of Global Activities is excited to fund 15 students who will be traveling internationally this spring summer to completing a global special study. This group represents the largest number of special study students that OGA has ever funded and reflects students' increased interest in global social work. Next to the students are the countries they will be traveling to for their projects.

 

Grace Adofoli,  India

Laura Berry,Tanzania

Randy Dowding, South Africa

Anne Edwards, Chile

Kelly Gjeldum, Thailand

Krysten Gonzalez, Peru

Alaina Moreno-Koehler, Bolivia

Andrew Rogers, India

Caitlin Rossman, Ireland

James Shoemaker, India

Sandra Sieben, Tanzania

Kylee Smith, Mexico

Stacie Vandevusse, Thailand

Christopher Walker, Tanzania

Yangye Zhou, China

 

Emily Nicklett was appointed to the 2014 - 2015 Native Investigator Development Program.

Desmond Patton discusses "cyberbanging" in the AP story, "Tweets and Threats: Gangs Find New Home on the Net".

Larry Root and Katie Lopez have received a CGE Education Abroad Resource Grant funded by the Associate Provost of Global and Engaged Education for their work titled "Before, During and After: Enhancing Resilience in Students Engaging in International Experiences."

Desmond Patton along with Abigail Williams (PhD student), Bakari Wallace and Sadiq Patel(MSW recent grads), had their paper selected to be presented at the 2014 SRA Biennial Meeting. The paper/presentation is entitled, "Pivotal moments: Experiences with neighborhood violence altering life trajectories for low-income African American adolescents in Flint, MI."

Sue Ann Savas received a grant from New York Community Trust to develop a fellows program in 3 non-profits. This project will innovate the field of social work by building and testing the internal capacity for program evaluation in community-based nonprofits.

Daniel Saunders is cited in "Grand Accomplishments in Social Work", published by the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare, for his experimental comparison of interventions for men who batter.

 

 

Celebrate MSW accomplishments and forward your accolades to [email protected]. For breaking news and accolades check out the SSW website.

  
ACTION ITEMS

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (1/20): No classes but many wonderful events. (see Dean's Message above with more information below)

 

Graduating in August (Summer) 2014? Apply online by 2/15

Those of you graduating in August must apply for graduation online using Wolverine Access by 2/15/2014. (Wolverine Access>Student Business>Apply for Graduation)

 

Call for Submissions: Keynote Speaker at SSW Spring Commencement - Due 1/24

We are requesting suggestions for Keynote Speaker for the upcoming May 3, 2014 SSW Commencement ceremony.

Individuals should be 1) respected human service professionals and 2) reside within the state of Michigan, preferably southeast Michigan.

Note that funds are not available, although a small honorarium may be given.

If you plan to graduate in May 2014, please submit your suggestions by Friday, January 24 to [email protected].

Please include additional descriptive information, such as title, agency affiliation, and if known personally-how do you know the suggested speaker?

 

Windows XP Users must Upgrade by April

After April 8, 2014, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates and patches for Windows XP. ITS is encouraging Windows XP users to upgrade their operating system before then. ITS has published web badges on their website, including Safe Computing, that note the need to upgrade. The badges link to the reference page, which includes links to reports and articles about the security risks involved in running Windows XP. ITS asks that people not connect to U-M networks or systems from devices running out-of-date, unsupported software.

 

Nominations Requested for Faculty Mentoring Awards

Requirements: Nominees must be faculty members (tenured or non-tenured) from any discipline in any school, department, or program at the University of Michigan who have mentored in an area of clinical & translational health research. Nominees need not have any affiliation with MICHR.

For more information and to place a nomination, please click here

  
 

Reminder: Drop/Add Deadline

The drop/add deadline is January 28. Questions see SSW Registrar.

 

MLK Day Events

Circle of Unity 

CASC is co-sponsoring the Circle of Unity celebration on Monday, January 20 at 2 pm in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Diag. Join us in the Diag as we celebrate with performances by Joe Reilly and Julie Beutel, the Michigan Gospel Chorale, U-M Slam Poetry, and the Neutral Zone - Ann Arbor's Teen Center!

1/20/2014, 2-3 PM

Diag

 

"Healing One Story at a Time: Digital Storytelling and Indigenous Intersectionality" 

The Coalition of Native Graduate Students, the SSW Dean's office, the Multicultural and Gender Affairs Committee and the Critical Intersectionality Group are co-sponsoring "Healing One Story at a Time: Digital Storytelling and Indigenous Intersectionality" on MLK day.

Storytelling is revered within the oral tradition that continues to thrive in Native American communities.

This event will highlight one innovative storytelling approach - digital storytelling - its use in Indian Country, and the ways it celebrates resiliency as well as the wide range of intersecting identities among today's Native Americans. A panel of Native American professors, students, and community leaders will discuss the impact of traditional storytelling in Indian Country and how storytelling has shaped their own lives.  A traditional meal will be provided by Jonathan Fowler and entertainment will be by the Swamp Singers.

1/20/2014, 4-6 PM

ECC (1840)

 

"Healing the Divide: Bridges to Community Health" 

Phyllis Meadows, Ph.D., M.S.N., R.N., will present "Healing the Divide: Bridges to Community Health." Sponsored by these U-M Schools/Colleges/Units: School of Nursing, Medical School (including the Office for Health Equity and Inclusion), School of Dentistry, School of Public Health, School of Social Work, College of Pharmacy, The U-M Hospitals and Health Centers (Human Resources and Service Excellence), MICHR. Dr. Phyllis Meadows, serves as Associate Dean for Practice at the U-M School of Public Health, focusing her efforts on developing a comprehensive strategy for the School to improve the public health workforce and establish the academic health department model.

1/20/2014, 11:45 AM-1 PM

Dow Auditorium/Towsley Center, 1515 E. Medical Center Drive

 

Grief and the Healing Process: A Panel Discussion from Personal Experience 

Phillip Sample and Billy Wilder, two formerly incarcerated individuals, grieve over the crimes they committed. Tammi Smith and Gary Weinstein, who have both lost family members to violent crimes, have each reached out to the perpetrators as part of their healing process. These views on grief, and more, will be discussed in this panel, presented by the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP) and co-sponsored by the Community Action and Social Change (CASC) minor. The six panelists will speak and then lead a discussion on this difficult, painful, and very complicated subject.

1/20/2014, 1-3 PM

Michigan Union, Pendleton Rm

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Reminder

The SSW's academic calendar is available on our website. It is different in some details from the University's academic calendar, particularly as exam scheduling and end-of-semester events are scheduled.

 

Apply to be an Orientation and Mentoring Program Facilitator: Application due 1/20

The Office of Student Services will be hiring 6 current MSW students to assist with the development, planning, and implementation of a new student mentoring program, Summer New Student Programs, Community Service Day, and Fall Orientation. This is an exciting opportunity to assist new students as they make their transition into the MSW program.

The position will run from February 2014 - December 2014 and pays $15/hour. Advanced standing students can end the position after Orientation (August 27). Click here for more information.

 

2014 Leon and Josephine Winkelman Memorial Lecture Series

The 2014 Leon and Josephine Winkelman Memorial Lecture Series is entitled "Creating Sustainable Change for Healthy Aging." Dr. Nancy Whitelaw will present the keynote, followed by panelist responses by Dr. Philippa Clarke, Dr. Jeffrey Halter, and Beth Spencer. The event is complimentary and registration is required.

2/13/2014, 2 PM

ECC

Register Here

 

Community Organization Learning Community Study Group Session

COLC group - Settlement House study session. Contact Barry Checkoway ([email protected]) with questions.

1/30/2014, 1-3 PM

1794

 

Typhoon Event Haiyan Relief Fundraiser: A Night of Music 

Situation: Typhoon Haiyan affected a total of 9.5 million people across the Philippines. 10,000+ people have died as a result of the unprecedented natural disaster that has hit the Philippines. This issue in-comparison to other disasters has not had the same coverage and response in the United States. Although the United States government is the leading relief effort on the scene, according to Pew Research Center, fewer Americans are closely following the news about the Typhoon. As global citizens, social workers, businessmen/women, educators, administrators, etc., these issues are not too far from what we advocate for as a school and as individuals. As we aim to become more globalized as a University, we feel it is important that this issue is addressed collectively.

 

Proposal: A Night of Music

A night to bring more awareness about the Philippine's Typhoon Haiyan Relief effort as well as to celebrate the the different aspects of the Filipino culture. We will be showing short clips of Filipino films and showcasing different musicians/ artists around the Ann Arbor and at the U-M. The event will have a suggested minimum donation of $20, however all donation amounts are appreciated. All donations will go towards the relief. We will serve delicious Filipino infused hors d'oeuvres from Angel Food catering. 

 

Penny Challenge for the Typhoon Relief: 1/23-1/28

The penny challenge is meant to get people excited the week before and the week of the event. The penny challenge will be between different schools, staff and faculty. PEOPLE SHOULD GET READY AND SAVE PENNIES!!!

1/29/2014, 6-8 PM

ECC

 

The War on Poverty: A Retrospective

The Institute for Research on Women & Gender and the Department of Women's Studies at U-M present a panel discussion entitled "The War on Poverty: A Retrospective". The panel includes Martha Bailey (Economics), Robert Mickey (Political Science), Mary Corcoran (Political Science, Public Policy), and Laura Lein (Social Work, Anthropology). The panel will revisit Dr. Martin Luther King's final book, Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community, and will discuss certain government programs directed at the war on poverty, analyzing them in King's context.  

1/22/2014, 4 PM

Hatcher Graduate Library

Gallery (Rm 100)

 

Nominations Sought for 2014 Governor's Service Awards

The Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC) is excited to announce they are now seeking nominations for the 2014 Governor's Service Awards.

These awards are given annually by the Governor to acknowledge individuals, organizations, and businesses who are committed to service and volunteerism in their communities.

 

The 2014 Governor's Service Awards nomination form is available for download on the MCSC's website.

 

The MCSC is accepting electronic nominations this year at [email protected]. Electronic materials should be submitted by February 28 and should be formatted as PDF files, with the exception of photos which should be in JPEG format.

For more information, contact Janice Harvey at (517) 241-4040 or [email protected].

More information available here.

 

Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarships - NASW: Application Deadline 3/5

The Consuelo W. Gosnell Memorial Scholarships are awarded to master's degree candidates in social work who have demonstrated a commitment to working with, or who have interest in, American Indian/Alaska Native and Hispanic/Latino populations. Candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to working with public or voluntary nonprofit agencies or with local grassroots groups in the United States are also eligible. In order to apply, students must be an NASW member and have applied to or have been accepted into an accredited MSW program. For more eligibility requirements and information, visit their website. Applications must be submitted by March 5.

 

Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship - NASW: Application Deadline 3/5

The Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a master's degree candidate in social work who demonstrates an interest in, or has experience with, mental health practice and has a commitment to working in African American communities. Scholarship recipients now work in hospitals, medical clinics, and social services agencies that provide treatment and specialized services to African American patients. In order to apply, students must be an NASW member and have applied to or have been accepted into an accredited MSW program. For additional information, please visit their website. Applications are due March 5.

 

The Effects of Violence on Urban Life-Seminar

Patrick Sharkey, NYU associate professor of Sociology and author of the recently published book, "Stuck in Place: Urban Neighborhoods and the End of Progress toward Racial Equality", will present a seminar as part of the 2013-2014 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society Scholars program Invited Speaker Series on population health issues.

 

"The Effects of Violence on Urban Life" is the title of Dr. Sharkey's seminar.

 

Dr. Sharkey earned his B.A. from Brown University and his Ph.D. in Sociology and Social Policy at Harvard University. He was a postdoctoral scholar in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health & Society program from 2007-2009, at Columbia University.

 

2/12/2014, 4-5:30 PM

School of Public Health: Lane Auditorium (Rm 1690)

 

Third Annual Shirley Verrett Award Presentation

The Women of Color in the Academy Project is proud to announce that this year award will be presented to Charles Oyamo Gordon, Professor of English Language and Literature, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts and Professor of Theatre and Drama, School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

This award recognizes a U-M faculty member whose work has supported the success of women in creative fields who come from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds and advances diversity as part of the University's educational mission.  A reception will precede the event.

The award ceremony will include performances by acclaimed opera singer Marcia Porter (cousin and student of Shirley Verrett) and Daniel Washington, U-M's Associate Dean for Faculty and Multicultural Affairs and Professor of Voice in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance.  

The event is free and open to the public but registration is requested.

1/30/2014,  4:30-6:30 PM

Stamps Auditorium, Walgreen Drama Center

Register Here

 

Gerontology Learning Community Small Fund

The Gerontology Learning Community has small funds to support ALL students to pursue learning activities that will expand their knowledge related to aging. Click here to view the application form. Please contact Lydia Li ([email protected]) if you have any questions.

 

Detroit School Series: "Framing Detroit"

Jamie Peck is Canada Research Chair in Urban & Regional Political Economy and Professor of Geography at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He is also Managing Editor of Environment and Planning A. Peck's talk will examine Detroit as a critical case of "austerity urbanism," positioning the bankruptcy as part of an extended historical process rather than a singular event: "In one sense, the bankruptcy represents a crisis of crisis management, in another, it speaks to the corrosive logic of the devolved, neoliberal form of fiscal federalism. Either way, it is much more than a local event. Dominant narrations of the Detroit bankruptcy, however, tell a different story-and never innocently. This is how a banking crisis gets translated into a state crisis, an urban crisis, and a pensions crisis."

1/31/2014, 4:15-6 PM

Rackham Building, East Conference Rm (4th Floor)

 

Winter 2014 ISR Seminar Series; Racial Identity Matters: The Role of Racial Discrimination in the Lives of African American Young People

Professor Robert Sellers from U-M will be speaking on "Racial Identity Matters:  The Role of Racial Discrimination in Lives of African American Young People."

Please contact series coordinator Anna Massey ([email protected]) with any questions and if you would like to meet with Dr. Sellers.  

1/27/2014, 3:30-5 PM

ISR Building, Rm 6050

 

12th Annual SAAN Panorama 2014: January 17-18

Every year, U-M's South Asian Awareness Network works extremely hard to put on a conference capturing social justice issues that are relevant to each individual, our campus, and the globe. We love organizing this weekend because we see the effect is has on people grow each and every year.

The conference includes speaker workshops, keynotes, 4 full meals, entertainment Friday night and a formal Saturday night. There are some truly amazing speakers this year talking about everything from socioeconomic disparities and environmental justice to women's rights and education.Don't miss out on this great opportunity to network and hear from truly inspiring individuals!! Past speakers include Indray Nooyi (CEO of Pepsi), Sanjay Gupta (CNN Medical Correspondent), and Kal Penn (actor and White House liaison).

Check out our this year's current speaker lineup.

Attend the 12th Annual SAAN Conference--Panorama, capturing change through the lens of culture! Do not miss out on the opportunity to participate in the largest student run South Asian undergraduate conference in the nation! For information on our speakers, please visit umsaan.umich.edu. The registration deadline was 1/12, but there are still seats available; email [email protected].   

 

 


University of Michigan
School of Social Work
1080 South University Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106
Phone: (734) 764-3309


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