Angela Thomas
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Meet Nicole Choppin: Coverdell Fellow and MSSW Student
Nicole Choppin joined the Peace Corps with a clear goal: to fully immerse herself in a culture completely unlike her own. Drawn to the program’s emphasis on language training, long-term service, and community integration, she found herself in Lumajang, East Java, Indonesia, ready to learn, live, and grow alongside the people there. Now back in…
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Two Nashville Faculty Members To Retire in Fall 2025
Dr. Thereasa (Teri) Abrams Dr. Thereasa (Teri) Abrams has been with the UT College of Social Work for eight years. As an assistant professor, Abrams taught in both the DSW and MSSW programs. Outside of the UTCSW, she was a six-year member of the quality committee of the American Burn Association, served two years as…
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Examining the Indirect Effect of Dementia Caregiving Status on Mental Health Through Coping Resources
Dr. Fei Wang’s latest research, published in Research on Aging, uncovers how resilience plays a key role in shaping mental health outcomes among U.S. caregivers—especially distinguishing between those caring for individuals with dementia vs. non-dementia. The study also highlights how perceived gains from caregiving can enhance caregiver well-being. Caregivers of older adults with dementia generally…
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Pilot Study to Assess Drinking at Bars or Events Located within Grocery Stores
A newly accepted manuscript by UTCSW Cooper-Herron Endowed Professor in Mental Health Dr. Bridget Freisthler, was completed with Honors Undergraduate students as part of a research class when Freisthler worked at Ohio State University. The novel piece is that grocery stores have been increasingly serving alcohol at bars located within the stores and creating events…
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PhD Candidate Kenyette Garrett Receives Yates Dissertation Fellowship
UTCSW PhD Candidate Kenyette Garrett was recently selected as a recipient of the 2025-2026 Yates Dissertation Fellowship. The Yates Graduate Fellowship Endowment is a legacy of the generosity of the estate of Arthur E. Yates (1915–1977), former president of Yates Bleachery Company and a dedicated friend of the University of Tennessee. Established in June 2000,…
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Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship Benefits UTCSW MSSW Students
The Tennessee Behavioral Health Pathways Scholarship was established in 2023 by the Tennessee General Assembly and Governor Bill Lee to address the growing demand for more behavioral health professionals. In partnership with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), the scholarship program is jointly administered by the Tennessee Association of Mental…
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Mobile Interprofessional Tandem Service Model Brings Services Directly to Rural Areas
A new mobile interprofessional tandem service model to enhance Social Work/Audiology/Speech Pathology Care in Rural East Tennessee counties is being implemented which will bring these services directly to rural areas. Many rural Tennesseans lack access to audiology (A) and speech pathology (SP) services due to a shortage of professionals, resulting in untreated impairments that burden…
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PhD Student Eliza Galvez Receives Social Work Education Minority Fellowship Program Award
UTCSW PhD Student Eliza Galvez received a Council on Social Work Education Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) award. She is the first PhD student to receive this fellowship since Dr. Lori Messinger became dean of the UT College of Social Work. MFP opportunities support the mission of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to…
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International Social Work Class Built to Enhance Student Experience
A new course was implemented this spring which allowed students an opportunity for real-world experience in the international realm. The course “International Social Work: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities through a UN Sustainable Development Goal Lens” highlights the global role of social workers, emphasizing how international social issues influence their work. Dr. Mary Gitau, UT College…
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Social Work Students Dive Deep into Advocacy in Washington, D.C.
The social work program took a Legislative Education and Advocacy Day (LEAD) trip to Washington, D.C. during spring break. This trip provided students with invaluable first-hand experience in legislative and advocacy processes. The trip focused on real-world policy impact, empowering the social work students to become effective. Students met with the National Association of Social…