News
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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The 2026 eVOLve Conference Breaks All Previous Attendance Records
The UT College of Social Work’s (UTCSW) fifth annual eVOLve conference was a huge success with close to 500 people attending in person and over 600 people attending online. This year’s venue was the Knoxville Convention Center, allowing for more space and larger breakout rooms. With the 2026 theme of “The Future of Behavioral Health,”…
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Spring Break Social Justice Trip Creates Meaningful Impact for Students
Spring break provided the perfect opportunity for UTCSW students to visit the nation’s capital for a Social Justice trip that created a meaningful impact and thoughtful reflection. Students from across all UTCSW programs, including the BSSW, MSSW, PhD, and DSW, traveled to Washington, D.C. and spent two days at the National Museum of African…
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Faculty News
The UTCSW Faculty have been busy during the spring semester. Through publishing important research, expanding research overseas, serving in fellowship programs, and even winning awards, these scholars are making the world a better place every day and in every way. Fiona Doherty Dr. Fiona Doherty has been selected as a Fellow for the National Science…
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UTCSW Alum Reflects on Leading One of the Nation’s Largest Behavioral Health Systems
David Guth (MSSW ‘81) wears a Centerstone lapel pin nearly every day. It’s a small symbol of the pride he feels in the work Centerstone does. And sometimes when people notice it, they’ll say something. “I get stopped frequently by people who say, ‘You’re with Centerstone? You saved my life,” he said. Guth is quick…