News
-
Dr. Ragan Schriver Spent Summer Championing Mental Health Well-Being
UTCSW Clinical Professor Dr. Ragan Schriver had a busy summer, but rather than spending all his time lounging by the pool, he traveled to various locations addressing mental health issues. Schriver presented at a conference hosted by the Tennessee Association of Community Action (TACA), a statewide organization that supports the local county community action agencies.…
-
The UTCSW Advising Team puts the Success in Student Success
The UT College of Social Work (UTCSW) Student Success and Advising team empowers students through academic support, career preparation, and wellness resources, helping them thrive in their studies and future careers. The purpose of academic advising within the college is to support, guide, and assist social work majors with academic planning, career exploration, licensure, and…
-
Climate Change May Be Making People Lonelier
Dr. Fiona Doherty recently published an article entitled “Social Connectedness and Extreme Weather Adaptive Capacity: A Participatory Photo Mapping Study in Rural Appalachia” in the Journal of Community Practice. The paper discusses how the intersecting crises of social disconnectedness and climate change-induced extreme weather create a reinforcing cycle of vulnerability, wherein extreme weather strains social…
-
Faculty Achievements Take Center Stage: Promotions and Awards at the UTCSW
The University of Tennessee College of Social Work (UTCSW) faculty has had a busy and productive summer receiving well-deserved promotions and awards. The faculty continues to represent the college as comprehensive thought leaders in the industry. Brittany Adams was promoted to clinical associate professor effective July 1. Adams has been a member of the UTCSW…
-
New Volunteer Outreach Program Aims to Reduce Isolation Among Older Adults
A new volunteer outreach initiative in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, is helping connect older and vulnerable adults with critical resources, social support, and community services through trained volunteers and community partnerships. The Resources for Senior and Vulnerable Persons (RSVP) Program was developed with support from Dr. Lizzie Bowland, associate professor at the UT College of Social…
-
Recent MSSW Grad Haylie Roberts Heads to Cambodia While Keeping an Eye on Food Insecurity in Knoxville
Haylie Roberts is a recent 2026 MSSW graduate who will be embarking on a Fulbright Fellowship in Cambodia where she will serve as an English teaching assistant to local schools. She has a strong interest in, and has conducted research on, food insecurity among older adults in Knoxville housing communities, and hopes to continue working…
-
Passion for Social Work Enhances Unique Bond between Mother and Son
UT College of Social Work two-time alum Evie Nogales Baker (MSSW 2005, DSW 2023) and her son, BSSW student Evan Nogales Baker (expected to graduate in 2027) have a special affinity for the college. Both have chosen social work as a career path and agree that building relationships with peers and faculty has helped shape…
-
Advancing One Health: University of Tennessee Center for Pet Family Well-Being Leads First National Study on Dog Behavior Care Access
The University of Tennessee Center for Pet Family Well-Being (CPFW) is leading the first national research initiative focused on access to dog behavior and training support. Conducted in partnership with Every Dog Behavior and Training and supported by a $170,000 grant from Maddie’s Fund®, a national family foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to…
-
UTCSW Alumna Creates Space for Healing Through Magnolia Harbor Carefarm
In Powell, Tennessee, Magnolia Harbor Carefarm offers something many people navigating grief struggle to find: a space for connection. Founded by UT College of Social Work alumna Dr. Bree Conklin (DSW ‘17), the care farm is a therapeutic program designed for individuals experiencing traumatic grief and loss. Located on a property filled with more than…
-
UTCSW Student Highlights Importance of Early Prenatal Depression Screening
UT College of Social Work (UTCSW) MSSW student Hana El-Messidi is already making an impact in the field of perinatal mental health, recently presenting her research at the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care (TIPQC) Annual Meeting held in Franklin, Tennessee. Born and raised in Knoxville, El-Messidi earned her bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and psychology…