The Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) has been an integral part of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work since its establishment in 1975. Originally founded as the Office of Continuing Social Work Education (OCSWE), SWORPS has evolved into a research center that provides specialized professional education, research, and evaluation services to public, private, and nonprofit organizations across Tennessee and the nation.
Over the past five decades, SWORPS has distinguished itself through its unwavering commitment to leveraging research, technology, and human connection to improve lives and foster community well-being. At the heart of this organization are the dedicated individuals—past and present—whose expertise and passion have shaped its success. As SWORPS celebrates its legacy and looks ahead to the next 50 years, it remains clear that its people will continue to drive its mission forward.
To mark this 50th anniversary, current and former employees explained how SWORPS has made an impact over the years— on the community, the state, and on them personally.
DARYL CHANSUTHUS, SWORPS Director, 2022-present
“SWORPS has always been about bridge-building—between research and practice, universities and communities, data and people. For 50 years, it’s been part of several major efforts in Tennessee to make life better for children, families, and communities. You can see SWORPS’ impact in the technology, technical assistance, and coaching that support early childhood development; in the direct service work that strengthens and sustains families; and in the applied research and evaluation that provide the critical insights to ensure that we are doing what we should be doing, doing it well, and making a measurable difference where it matters most. For me personally, SWORPS has been both a challenge and a gift. It has reminded me how much can be accomplished when good people who are also highly skilled professionals work together with a shared purpose. Leading this organization has truly been a privilege and one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. It has reaffirmed what I’ve always lived and believed—that public service is about showing up with integrity, keeping people at the center, and never losing sight of why and to whom the work matters.”
MARYANNE CUNNINGHAM, Associate Director and Interim Director, 1981-2020
“The staff at SWORPS have the unique opportunity to use their skills, experience, and creativity to positively impact families, children, and communities across Tennessee by partnering with professionals from other agencies. For example, the research and evaluation unit staff enhance the effectiveness of programs through research and evaluation activities that help managers make data-driven decisions to improve processes, outputs, and ultimately outcomes. SWORPS evaluators work closely with clients to emphasize the value of collecting and using high-quality data to inform decision-making. During my time at SWORPS, I had the great fortune to work alongside an extraordinarily talented group of people who were always willing to share their knowledge and expertise. I came to SWORPS trained as a researcher and left as a seasoned program evaluator and administrator, with deeper technical knowledge, a profound respect for those who choose to work in the helping professions, and a greater understanding of the human condition.”
NATE FIRST. Knox-HMIS Program Director, 2020-present
“Even before my family moved down from Maine in 2020, I knew I wanted to work at SWORPS. I had already heard good things from current staff and was drawn to the role SWORPS played in harnessing all the ‘university good stuff,’ such as content expertise, strong tech and infrastructure, and a culture of innovation, while maximizing all that to make meaningful social change in Tennessee. I’m thrilled to say that it has all checked out, and only more so every year. I’d be surprised if anybody worked harder and smarter than my fellow colleagues, and I’ve seen the impact our programs have had in the communities we serve. It makes me proud to be a part of such an insightful, dedicated, and energetic ‘team of teams.’”
DEIDRE FORD, Division Director for Technology & Development, 2000-present
“SWORPS has made a lasting impact by being a steady, trusted partner to Tennessee’s communities and state government for over 50 years. Through strong, collaborative relationships with our partners, we’ve helped build programs and systems that make a real difference in people’s lives by supporting families, strengthening agencies, and advancing data-informed solutions across the state. These efforts have been successful because of the strong partnerships we’ve built with our funders and our shared commitment to truly understanding each challenge before working together to create solutions. For me personally, SWORPS has been a place where I can challenge myself and shape my own learning path in service to our grantors and the people of Tennessee. Through SWORPS, I’ve been able to grow professionally, from entry level to director level, while earning my bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the university, a journey SWORPS both encouraged and supported. It’s incredibly fulfilling to be part of an exemplary team of visionary professionals who bring their best every day to support our communities statewide. Being part of this legacy of service and innovation continues to inspire me and deepen my commitment to public impact.”
SISSIE HADJIHARALAMBOUS, Assistant Director of SWORPS, 1999-present
“At the local community front, SWORPS has a rich history partnering with local nonprofits and government entities like Knoxville – Knox County CAC, United Way for Greater Knoxville, Knox County Schools, and the Knox County Health Department for Community Need Assessments to identify and prioritize urgent needs, such as affordable housing, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment, directly influencing the array of services available to residents. SWORPS has been instrumental in the fight against homelessness in the Knoxville area, particularly through the Knoxville Homeless Management Information System (KnoxHMIS). At the personal level, SWORPS has offered me the opportunity to transition from academic research to work that allowed me to continue using my research skills in developing and improving programs and processes that transform the lives of children and families. During my 26 years with SWORPS, I have had the opportunity to partner with state administrators, Knoxville community leaders, and faculty members in UTK and other public and private universities on initiatives designed to improve the well-being of children and families in Tennessee and beyond.”
LISA HIGGINBOTHAM, Field-Based Services Director,, 2012-2020; 2025-present
“SWORPS is a statewide resource dedicated to supporting professionals, communities, and families throughout Tennessee and beyond. The partnerships we’ve built over the past 50 years are collaborations rooted in a shared commitment to children and families. Together, we’ve identified critical needs and transformed them into real solutions that change lives. I am always proud to tell people that I work for SWORPS because I am part of something bigger than myself—a mission to serve the greater good and help every child and family thrive. At SWORPS, we lead, we create, we innovate.”
JEFF VOMUND, Director of SWORPS’ Division of Applied Research and Evaluation, 2023-present
“SWORPS has helped countless state and local non profits evaluate and improve the services they provide over the past 50 years. Our approach to partnering with state and local agencies to both celebrate and help them improve their work has resulted in better health, education, and child welfare outcomes across
the state. Effective evaluation improves the lives of Tennesseans by improving the services they receive. SWORPS does just that — it helps providers improve what they do for vulnerable Tennesseans. “On a personal level, I could not be prouder to help our team put their truly amazing evaluation and research skills to work to improve people’s lives. It is such a gift to be able to use data collection and analysis, research, and report writing to make a difference for our friends and neighbors across the state.”
LORI MESSINGER, Dean of the College of Social Work, 2019-present
“When I came to the College of Social Work, I was interested in this unique public-facing center with the strange name. It was clear that SWORPS was well known and well respected for its work with public and private agencies. When I met with agency leaders, I heard again and again the ways that the college was using its knowledge and capacity to make lives in our state better through the work of SWORPS. It has been my honor and pleasure to see SWORPS grow and thrive, adding new contracts and projects, supported by so many skilled, bright employees. SWORPS helps the College of Social Work meet its mission and the larger university mission as a land grant public research institution. When I talk about looking to the future, I see SWORPS as a centerpiece of the college, offering research skills, technical expertise, and passion to make life better for the people of our state.”