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Jessica Shields
Working in the field of child welfare for over 10 years has made me aware of various gaps when it comes to policies set in place to protect the most vulnerable of all citizens, children. My area of interest is just that, child welfare on a macro scale and the polices set in place that…
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eVOLve 2026 – Kristie Hammonds
Kristie Hammonds is President & CEO of Frontier Health, the region’s leading provider of behavioral health services. Frontier Health is the region’s leading provider of behavioral health, mental health, substance abuse, co-occurring, intellectual and developmental disabilities, recovery, and vocational rehabilitation services, and has been providing services since 1957. Its mission is to provide quality services…
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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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Julie Hanse
Julie is a born-and-raised Nashvillian pursuing her MSSW at the University of Tennessee (Nashville Campus) in the Advanced Standing program. She graduated with her BSW from Belmont University in May of 2025. Julie’s main interest is in Forensic Social Work serving survivors of interpersonal violence and she is currently acquiring her Forensic Certification. Julie’s passion…
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Jalen All
Jalen is a MSSW student at the University of Tennessee in the Advanced Standing program. He graduated with his BSW from Belmont in May of 2025, and has lived in Nashville for 6 years. Jalen a passion for supporting individuals in recovery and promoting mental wellness. Drawing on his experience in the recovery field, he…
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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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HUSSAIN AL-ZAHRANI
A faculty member with several years of academic experience, specializing in research, strategic planning, and teaching, with a strong commitment to raising educational standards. By fostering a collaborative learning environment, I actively mentor students and lead accreditation initiatives to ensure academic excellence. Driven by my passion for continuous improvement, I integrate innovative educational practices to…
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Caitlin (Cat) Steele
Cat Steele is an incoming first generation PhD student in Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she also earned both her Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) and Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW). Her research focuses on expanding and refining mental health diagnostic criteria for adults with intellectual and…