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Jong Sung Kim
Jong Sung Kim is a PhD student in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His research centers on trauma-informed education and equity for adolescents from socio-economically disadvantaged communities in the U.S. and globally. He investigates how family, school, and neighborhood environments influence academic outcomes, executive function, sleep, and mental health—leveraging large-scale…
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UTCSW eVOLve Keynote Speaker Aspires to Help Others by Sharing Lessons Learned
Kristie Hammonds, president & CEO of Frontier Health, the region’s leading provider of behavioral health services, will serve as the keynote speaker for the University of Tennessee College of Social Work’s (UTCSW) 2026 conference eVOLve: The Future of Behavioral Health. Her talk, titled Innovation and Impact: Balancing Heart, Innovation, and Quality, will explore the critical…
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PhD Student Ilana Shtivelman Brings Valuable Insights Back from the ISGAP Oxford Summer Institute
UTCSW PhD student Ilana Shtivelman attended the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) in the United Kingdom over the past summer. The institute is committed to fighting antisemitism and is dedicated to scholarly research into the origins, processes, and manifestations of global antisemitism and of other forms of prejudice, including various…
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Connection, Community, Education: A First-Generation Journey
Many talented practicing social workers have considered getting a doctoral degree but aren’t sure whether to actually pursue the degree. First-generation scholars— those who don’t have a parent with a graduate degree—may have even more questions about advanced study. What is the benefit of the degree? What is the difference between a Doctor of Social…
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SWORPS at 50: Celebrating a Legacy of Impact
The Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) has been an integral part of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work since its establishment in 1975. Originally founded as the Office of Continuing Social Work Education (OCSWE), SWORPS has evolved into a research center that provides specialized professional education, research, and evaluation…
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2025 Annual Report Message from the Dean
Building Stronger Communities Through Social Work Excellence At the College of Social Work, our commitment to fostering impactful relationships with communities remains at the heart of everything we do. With campuses in Nashville and Knoxville, and a global presence through partnerships and initiatives, our reach is extensive. Faculty, staff, and students collaborate closely with community…
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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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Melissa Newman
Melissa is from St. Petersburg, Florida and earned her bachelor’s in social work from the University of South Florida, St. Pete and her master’s in social work from the University of South Florida, Tampa. Melissa has experience in community mental health, medical social work, juvenile justice, and spent the majority of her career in school…
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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…