News
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UT College of Social Work Welcomes Seven New Faculty Members
The UT College of Social Work welcomed seven new faculty members this fall. These new outstanding professors will teach at both the Knoxville and Nashville campuses, bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and innovative ideas. Jessica Cameron, Clinical Assistant Professor, Nashville CampusJessica Cameron is a highly accomplished clinical social worker and educator with a…
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Fall 2025 Social Work Honors Students
The newly selected Social Work Honors students will start their new roles this Fall. Congratulations to these dedicated and hard-working students. Evan BakerChattanooga, Tennessee How did you become interested in social work: I became interested in social work through my mother, who graduated with her doctorate from UTK a few years ago. I want to…
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Director Transition for the Center for Veterinary Social Work
As Center for Veterinary Social Work (CVSW) Director and Founder, Dr. Elizabeth Strand steps down to pursue a lifelong passion, Dr. Pam Linden has been named the interim director for 2025-2026. A search for the new director will begin in Fall 2025. A quick interview was conducted with both Drs. Strand and Linden sharing…
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A Mission to Enhance Dementia Awareness in Ghana
A Mission to Enhance Dementia Awareness in Ghana Through Faith Leadership June is globally recognized as Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. The following story highlights the high-impact research of a UT scholar and her global efforts to educate communities and reduce stigma…
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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…