Ron Idoko: Finding the vaccine for racism

Center on Race and Social Problems Associate Director Ron Idoko penned an op-ed for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "To fully address the systemic nature of racism in our society, we must recognize and confront it in all its complexity, working to understand its roots, its manifestations and its impact on people’s lives." Read the editorial here.

Faculty and doctoral student contribute to recent report

Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion James Huguley and doctoral student Cecily Davis recently contributed to a report on Children’s Racial Learning. Their contribution-"Catalyzing Youth Racial Learning through Social Work Practice"- can be found on page 31.

Faculty and doctoral students present at TLI

Dr. Deborah Moon and two doctoral students (Amanda Cruce and Hyun Jin Lee) provided a pre-service training session on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Resilience, and Flourishing for aspiring educators at the annual Teacher Leadership Institute (TLI) held at the University of Pittsburgh – Greensburg on Feb. 25.

Highlights included how to incorporate an understanding of ACEs and trauma into the classroom while also looking at teachers' roles in promoting resilience and flourishing for children and youth.  

A new Gwen’s Girls initiative aims to reduce juvenile justice referrals in Allegheny County

Professor Sara Goodkind spoke to Public Source about her work on the 2020 report by the Black Girls Equity Alliance [BGEA], an initiative of Gwen’s Girls, which found extreme racial disparities in juvenile justice referrals and overcriminalization of Black youth across Allegheny County. Read more about her findings here.

Doctoral student's article among top-cited

Doctoral student Soobin Kim, along with Dr. Ray Engel and Chulhee Kang, published "What convinces donors? An analysis of donation-based crowdfunding projects from nonprofit charities: The case of South Korea" in Nonprofit Management & Leadership and it is now among Wiley's top cited papers for 2021-2022.

Social Work staff member joins University Staff Council

Academic Administrator and BASW & PhD Program Assistant Carolyn Falk says she joined the Staff Council because "I am a supporter of Pitt- I received my Masters in Library Science from Pitt, and my son went to undergrad here and now I work here. I tend to be a joiner; I like to feel that I am having a positive impact on my community. I felt like the Staff Council would be a way for me to represent the School of Social Work, but also learn more about Pitt from a different vantage point." Congratulations to Carolyn! 

Alumnus pens personal essay for Public Source

MSW alumnus Jam Hammond, executive director of the Pittsburgh Commission on Human Relations, talks about his journey as a Black, Trans, man and how a radio ad shocked him and others in the Pittsburgh LGBTQIA+ community. Read A hateful anti-trans radio ad brought flashbacks to dark moments and places — but also motivation

Field Faculty Profile: Amy DeGurian

Amy Ambuske DeGurian is a Field Assistant Professor in the Department of Field Education at Pitt’s School of Social Work. She has been a full-time member of the department since 2013. Amy is a University of Pittsburgh alumnus. She completed her MSW in direct practice with a certificate in Gerontology in 1994. She holds an undergraduate degree in Sociology from The Pennsylvania State University. Ms. DeGurian’s area of expertise is in grief and loss, and she teaches advanced practice coursework in that area. Because of this focus (and as a sign of the times) she was recently featured in several publications related to bereavement issues and the emotional impact surrounding the COVID 19 pandemic. Read more about Amy DeGurian.

Field Student and Field Instructor Profile: Cassidy Hall and Jola Blecher

MSW student Cassidy Hall is currently in her field placement at Human Services Administration Organization (HSAO) in their Drug & Alcohol Case Management team where Jola Blecher, LSW, CAAP is the HSAO Supervisor for Drug and Alcohol Case Management and Cassidy's field instructor. Read about their thoughts on their work and the difference they are making in their communities.

REGISTER TODAY: Temple Grandin: “Great Minds Are Not All the Same”

The University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work and Center on Race and Social Problems presents the Florence Gibbs Momeyer Endowed Lecture featuring:

Temple Grandin, PhD

“Great Minds Are Not All the Same”

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

6 p.m.

University Club, 123 University Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15260

If you are unable to attend in person, we will be live streaming the program. Use the link below to confirm your attendance and request the streaming link if you are planning to attend virtually.

RSVP for Virtual Attendance

The Florence Gibbs Momeyer Endowed Lecture was established to advance understanding on timely social work topics in the areas of equity, inclusion, and human rights.