News
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Leading the Way: UTCSW’s Outstanding Faculty Drive Social Work Innovation
University of Tennessee College of Social Work (UTCSW) faculty members are at the forefront of groundbreaking research and innovation that shape the future of social work education, practice, and policy. Their dedication to advancing knowledge is evident in innovative studies, influential publications, and collaborative projects that address pressing social challenges. By combining expertise with passion,…
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UTK and Knoxville Family Justice Center’s Partnership Focuses on Domestic Violence Awareness
UT College of Social Work (UTCSW), UT College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS), and the Knoxville Family Justice Center (KFJC) are proud to partner to lead the community in recognizing October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) 2025 through a powerful lineup of events, outreach initiatives, and a renewed focus on survivor-centered care.…
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Giving Back to Knoxville: UTCSW Alumna Brittney Dunn Champions Youth Mental Health
For Knoxville native Brittney Dunn (MSSW ’25), a lifelong passion for helping others eventually led her from the world of speech pathology to social work. After spending 15 years as a speech therapist, Dunn said she began to see that social work was where she truly wanted to be. “I’ve always been a social worker…
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UTCSW eVOLve Keynote Speaker Aspires to Help Others by Sharing Lessons Learned
Kristie Hammonds, president & CEO of Frontier Health, the region’s leading provider of behavioral health services, will serve as the keynote speaker for the University of Tennessee College of Social Work’s (UTCSW) 2026 conference eVOLve: The Future of Behavioral Health. Her talk, titled Innovation and Impact: Balancing Heart, Innovation, and Quality, will explore the critical…
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PhD Student Ilana Shtivelman Brings Valuable Insights Back from the ISGAP Oxford Summer Institute
UTCSW PhD student Ilana Shtivelman attended the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) in the United Kingdom over the past summer. The institute is committed to fighting antisemitism and is dedicated to scholarly research into the origins, processes, and manifestations of global antisemitism and of other forms of prejudice, including various…
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Dr. Kate Chaffin Named 2025 NASW-TN Social Work Educator of the Year
Dr. Kate Chaffin, Assistant Dean for Faculty Development and Clinical Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Social Work (UTCSW), earned statewide recognition as the 2025 Social Work Educator of the Year from the National Association of Social Workers Tennessee Chapter (NASW-TN). The award highlights Chaffin’s dedication to preparing future social workers through innovative…
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A World of Learning: UTCSW Students Reflect on Summer Abroad Experiences
This summer, a group of UT College of Social Work students traded classrooms for the streets of Rome, the communities of Kenya, and the neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic. Through the UTCSW’s international study abroad programs, these students didn’t just earn course credit — they gained once-in-a-lifetime perspectives on global cultures, social work practices, and…
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From Outreach to Impact: Collaboration is a Key Factor Toward Success
Community Outreach and Engaged Research are both important aspects of any college or institution. Often, they are independent entities with little intersection. But sometimes, in a perfect scenario, they not only intersect but also complement the outcome by incorporating multiple departments, making for a full circle moment. One example of this is a recent partnership…
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ASPCA-Funded AVC Circle Reaches Nearly 350 Members
Conversations Expand on Access to Veterinary Care The Access to Veterinary Care (AVC) Circle, a community of practice funded by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA®), has grown to nearly 350 members nationwide. The Circle is dedicated to advancing innovative solutions and breaking down barriers to veterinary care for families…
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Access to Veterinary Care: Barriers and Insights from Pet Families
New Report Reveals Growing Barriers to Veterinary Care for Pet Families The Program for Pet Health Equity (PPHE) has published Access to Veterinary Care: Barriers and Insights from Pet Families. This new report updates and broadens the 2018 national study by the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition. The latest research offers a timely view of…