News
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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…
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From Classroom to Courtroom: A UTCSW Graduate’s Journey to Forensic Social Work
When Megan Riedinger arrived at the University of Tennessee as a pre-law major in 2020, she didn’t yet know her heart was pulling her in a different direction. After a conversation with an advisor from the UT College of Social Work (UTCSW), everything changed. “I wanted a more hands-on education and to feel like I…
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Welcome Back to the Fall Semester!
Lori Messinger, Dean of the College of Social Work, welcomes everyone back for another extraordinary academic year. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, staff, or a valued alumnus, everyone at the UTCSW is thrilled to have you as part of the college’s dynamic and growing family.
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New Learning Management System for Continuing Education Changes the Way Business is Being Done
Continuing Education at the UTCSW recently obtained and launched a new learning management system (LMS) known as CE21. This changes the way continuing ed participants purchase, access, and interact with the college’s continuing ed programming. Assistant Director of Continuing Education Margaret McMillan is looking forward to integrating the new system into the program. “The CE21…
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The Program for Pet Health Equity Announces New Associate Director of Research
The Program for Pet Health Equity (PPHE) recently announced that Dr. Claire Schuch has joined the team as Associate Director of Research. In this new role, Schuch will lead efforts to deepen understanding of how pets impact families’ lives and how lack of access to veterinary care affects communities, families, and animal care professionals. Schuch…
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DSW Program Changes Leadership
The Doctor of Social Work (DSW) Program is changing leadership this fall with Dr. Lizzie Bowland stepping away as the director to focus on the gerontology efforts at the college, while Dr. Katherine Montgomery will step in to serve as the interim director of the program. Bowland, a nationally recognized expert in gerontological social work,…