Newhill part of Year of Emotional Well Being project

Professor Christina Newhill is a longtime member of the University’s Mental Wellness Task Force (part of the University Senate Benefits and Welfare Committee) and they were just awarded funding from the Pitt Year of Emotional Wellbeing grant program. This funding will support a project this spring entitled “Don’t Be Lonely at Work” which focuses on reducing workplace loneliness and facilitating personal connections and teamwork. One of the unique aspects of this project is that investigators on the project all come from different departments across the university so it is very interdisciplinary. Read the recent University Times article about the project.

Alumna nominated for PA Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs

MSW and PhD alumna Dr. Latika Davis-Jones was nominated by Governor Josh Shapiro to be the new Pennsylvania Secretary of Drug and Alcohol Programs. Read more.

Lecture series on race has full slate of events this semester

The Race &... Lecture Series continues this semester as part of Pitt’s Race and Social Determinants of Equity, Health and Well-being Initiative. The one-hour lunchtime speaker series features faculty who joined the University recently as part of the Race and Social Determinants of Equity and Well-Being Cluster Hire and Retention Initiative. Lectures are from noon to 1 p.m. at the Center on Race and Social Problems, Room 2017, Cathedral of Learning. A Zoom link will be provided upon registration for those who cannot attend in person. See details for the January 26th lecture featuring Mosopefoluwa Lanlokun below.

Johnstown's MLK event

MSW Program faculty and students from our Johnstown campus celebrated Martin Luther King Jr at the State Theater in Johnstown. The event was hosted by the NAACP of Johnstown and Christ-Centered Community Chruch and featured the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, Community Church choir, and keynote speaker Rev. Brian Hutton, Jr, meteorologist for WTAE in Pittsburgh and leader of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Rankin. Read more about the event.

Alumna's article chosen as one of the best of 2022

PhD alumna Kess Ballentine, now at Wayne State University, has an article listed in Health Affairs' list of the top 10 editor’s picks for 2022. Her article is “How Low-Paid Parents Navigate The Complex Financial Landscape Of Benefits Cliffs And Disincentive Deserts.”

MSW alumna's books receive attention

MSW alumna Cynthia Hughes had two books selected as a 5 star recipients by Reader' Choice. Genre ages 7 to 12 "Can I Be President Of The US AT 8? With politics brewing, this is an excellent book to get students interested in their future participation in running the country.  And 'Live ...Do Not Only Exist.' Genre Adult nonfiction. Over coming breast cancer and living healthy 36 years later to share the story.  Both books are available at www.Farmorgroupinc.co. and Amazon.