In Brief April 2014 New Dean Appointed 2014 Election Results Social Work Month Doctoral Program 50th Anniversary-Save the Date! Reaching for Excellence-Seeking Qualified Nominations Contemplative Clinical Practice Certificate End of Life Care Certificate Program Summer Seminars are now open for Registration! Faculty News Alumni News Alumni DVD Events Upcoming Alumni Events Volunteer Opportunities SSW Listservs Social Media at the School for Social Work
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New Dean Appointed Marianne Yoshioka, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Columbia University School for Social Work and an 18-year member of that faculty, has been appointed Dean of the Smith College School for Social Work effective July 1, 2014. Yoshioka holds a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Western Ontario, a master's of social work degree from the University of Michigan and a doctorate in social work from Florida State University. She teaches courses in clinical practice, clinical evaluation research, design of interventions, and human behavior. She entered the Columbia School of Social Work administration in 2006, as the academic dean. In that role, she has advanced the School's use of instructional technologies, led the establishment of a new office of postgraduate coursework, training and continuing education, as well as the launch of a new professional development program focused on diversity and inclusion. "I am honored to bring my commitment to excellence to the Smith College School for Social Work," Yoshioka said. I am passionate about the advancement of clinical social work practice
and, in particular, the unique and powerful method of training offered at Smith. I am excited to join with the Smith faculty, students, and alumni to continue the tradition of leading-edge social work education and scholarship." Back to top
2014 Election Results
The results of the 2014 Election are in! The Executive Committee is pleased to announce the new members to the board: Gabrielle Holder, MSW'03 - President Elect Keshia Williams, MSW'08 - Region II Representative (NY, NJ, PA) Erin Matthews, MSW'05 - Region IV Representative (Mid-West) The new members will begin their terms on the Executive Committee on July 1, 2014. Please join us in saying welcome. Also, please join us in expressing gratitude to our outgoing board members: Gabrielle Holder, MSW'03 (moving to the President Elect position), Fanny GutierrezMeyers, MSW'03. A special thanks to the Nomination Committee Chair, Phoebe Harris Millman, MSW'03 for her dedication to identifying and recruiting candidates. Back to top
Social Work Month
During the month of March, Smith College School for Social Work proudly partnered with the Natioanl Association of Social Workers (NASW) to promote Social Work Month 2014 and this year's theme: "All People Matter." This year, faculty of the School for Social Work recognized Social Work Month far beyond the Smith College campus. In the first week of March, the School for Social Work's Prof. Marsha Pruett presented several workshops on parenting with her husband, Prof. Kyle Pruett of Yale University, in the United Arab Emirates. The workshops were organized by the Sheikha Salam bint Hamdan Al Nahyan Foundation. On March 3, Assistant Prof. Margaret "Peggy" O'Neill gave a talk on resilience in clinical practice at the Culture Center of New York. The event was co-sponsored by the Smith College School for Social Work Alumni Association and the Smith College Club of New York City. On the same day, Assistant Prof. Hannah Karpman presented on wraparound outcomes in Massachusetts to researchers and policy-makers gathered at the Children's Mental Health Policy Conference in Washington, DC. On March 5, Adjunct Associate Prof. Fred Newdom explored the 20th anniversary of the School's anti-racism commitment in a presentation to the DC/Baltimore alumni group. And, on March 20, Dean Carolyn Jacobs was presented with a Proclamation from Northampton Mayor David J. Narkewicz in a special recognition of Social Work Month at the Northampton City Council meeting. Prof. Phebe Sessions and other members of the faculty and staff of the School were also present. Back to top
50 Years of the Smith College School for Social Work Doctoral Program Save the Dates for a 2-Day Celebration
Mark your calendars now for a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Smith College School for Social Work Doctoral Program. Sunday, June 22nd-the SSW Doctoral Program will host a series of workshops followed by a reception and awards presenation. Monday, June 23rd-the Lydia Rappoport Lecture will feature a special Doctoral Program speaker. More information will be coming soon! Back to top
Reaching for Excellence - Seeking Qualified Nominations Alumni and colleagues are our best resources. Do you know a stellar bachelor-level social worker who has worked in social work/human services a minimum of two years, demonstrates a passion for his or her work and does not yet have their master's degree in social work? If so, nominate him/her to Reaching for Excellence: The Maconda Brown O'Connor Future Leader Program. This fully subsidized three-day weekend includes courses and lectures at Smith
College designed to challenge and stretch bachelor-level human service workers-and to inspire future social work leaders! The nomination deadline is May 15, 2014. For more information on the program and to make a nomination, visit: http://www.smith.edu/ssw/REX Back to top
Contemplative Clinical Practice Certificate: An Advanced Certificate Program in Spirituality and Social Work Practice Program Dates: Session I: October 16-19, 2014; Session II: April 9-12, 2015
The Contemplative Clinical Practice Certificate deepens the clinician's awareness of the sacred dimension of his/her work by exploring his/her own religious histories and spiritual practices, the client's spiritual beliefs and practices, and the clinical relationship itself. This certificate program carries 31.5 Continuing Education Credits. The application deadline is July 11, 2014. For program and registration information go to: http://www.smith.edu/ssw/acad_cont_graduate_contemplative.php Back to top
End of Life Care Certificate Program Program Dates: Session I: October 23-26, 2014; Session II: April 16-19, 2015 Social workers encounter death, dying and bereavement in every setting in which they work but few have been prepared to take leadership in changing the culture in work with the dying and with their families. This program provides social workers relational ways of learning in a community of colleagues. The End of Life Care Certificate Program is co-sponsored by Baystate Medical Center, a part of Tufts N.E. Medical Center and it carries 57 Continuing Education Credits for social workers. The application deadline is September 1, 2014. For more information, pelase visit: http://www.smith.edu/ssw/acad_cont_graduate_elc.php Back to top
Summer Seminars are Now Open for Registration!
Our day-long (6 hour/6CEU) Summer Seminars are designed for master-level social workers, therapists, counselors, and other human service professionals who wish to enhance their clinical skills. The Summer Seminar curriculum includes many courses on a wide range of topics. Courses provide participants with opportunities to increase their knowledge and skills through a concentrated period of study. In 2014, our weekends are as follows: Weekend A: June 12, 13, 14 Weekend B: June 19, 20, 21 Weekend C: July 17, 18, 19 Apply by the early registration deadline (May 6) and get a tuition discount! Apply for multiple courses and get another tuition discount! Courses fill quickly so don't delay. Register online today for the quickest access to classes and fast confirmation of your course preferences. For a list of courses or to register, please visit http://www.smith.edu/ssw/acad_cont_summer.php Back to top
Faculty News
Prof. Joan Berzoff, MSW'74, reports that she was a presenter at the winter convocation for the Sanville Institute in Los Angeles. Dr. Berzoff has also been invited to present on global clinical social work at an upcoming American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work (AAPCSW) conference. She continues her valuable work as a part of our national PatientCentered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) grant related to developing conversations at the end of life for renal patients and families. SSW Professor James Drisko, MSW'77 was named an inaugural Fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR), social work's main research organizaion, which holds the major social work research conference annually. The SSWR Board recently instituted a Fellow status for members who have presented numerous juried conference papers over the years and who have provided considerable service to the society. Jim has presented 16 times at SSWR since 1999 on topics ranging from qualitative research methods, attachment disorders, empowerment, and systematic review of the evidence base for psychodynamic psychotherapy.
For several years, he has led an interest group on qualitative research, been a reader for SSWR awards, and for conference abstracts. The Society anticipates that Fellows will serve as role models and mentors for individuals pursuing careers in social work research, among other roles. The Smith College Board of Trustees voted to promote SSW Assistant Professor Hye-Kyung Kang to the rank of Associate Professor with tenure. Back to top
Alumni News Mara Acel-Green, MSW'01 was interviewed for Amanda Roberge's piece "Frightening Thoughts That Should Have Every New Mother Talking" in the March Bay State Parent Magazine. In the article Mara talks about how to help women experiencing perinatal emotional complications get the help they need. Terry Northcut, PhD'91 was honored as the 2014 Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Illinois Northeastern District chapter for her contributions to the social work profession as well as to the lives of the people that social workers help to serve. The awards event was held on March 19, 2014. Linda Howard Zonana, MSW'60 has recently published "Vertigo! When the World Spins Out of Control" (Outskirts Press, 2014). The book concerns vestibular illnesses - those that arise in the inner ear and precipitate vertigo, such as Meniere's Disease and Benign Positional Vertigo. Written for the general public, it offers basic information, along with personal experiences drawn from Linda's life and those of the 50 people interviewed for the book. Included are chapters on the psychological effects of recurring or chronic illness, challenges encountered in seeking help, different approaches to treatment, anatomy and functioning of the ear, and a history of the development of the understanding of vertigo. Back to top
Alumni DVD Events
Over the past few years we have had such a fantastic response from regional alumni groups across the country that this year we are offering another Summer Lecture Series DVD to regional groups for viewing and discussion: SSW Professor Dr. Kathryn Basham's lecture entitled “Women in the Military: Rewards and Challenges." DVDs of this lecture are now available for any graduate who would like to host an event. Two Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered. To host a DVD event, or to volunteer as a discussion facilitator at an event, please contact the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs Office at (413) 585-4290 or sswalum@smith.edu Back to top
Upcoming Alumni Events May 18, 2014 - Ypsilanti, Michigan DVD viewing and discussion of Prof. Kathryn Basham's Summer Lecture Series presenation of "Women in the Military: Rewards and Challenges." For more information about these and futre alumni/student events, contact the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs at (413) 585-4290 or sswalum@smith.edu Back to top
Volunteer Opportunities The School for Social Work relies heavily on the efforts and goodwill of our alumni to help us in the areas of student recruitment, mentoring current students, providing reduced rate psychotherapy to students, and hosting SSW events. You are the foundation of our Alumni Student Network. If you have never volunteered before, we invite you to participate in this wonderful network of professionals. If you have volunteered in the past, we invite you to join us again. (Please note: volunteer commitments are for a one-year period in recognition of the fact that interests and abilities change; a new form is needed for each new placement year.) The Volunteer Opportunities form is available online at: www.smith.edu/ssw/about_alumni_volunteer.php or if you would prefer a paper copy of the form, please contactthe Office of Development and Alumni Affairs, at (413) 585-4290 or sswalum@smith.edu Back to top
SSW Listservs
The School for Social Work offers a listserv program for the five regions which constitute SSW community and the Alumni of Color Standing Committee. If you are interested in joining the listserv, please contact the listserv moderator in your region. REGION I (New England) carolfizer@aol.com Carol Fizer, M.S.W.'72 REGION II (NY, NJ, PA) Susan Greenebaum, M.S.W.'05
sgreenebaum@gmail.com
REGION III (South) David Goodman, M.S.W.'77
mesorahwli@verizon.net
REGION IV (Midwest) Erin Matthews, M.S.W.'05
erinm1@hotmail.com
REGION V (West) Linda Plaut, M.S.W.'88
lplaut@comcast.net
ALUMNI OF COLOR STANDING COMMITTEE Neriza Candelario, M.S.W.'00
candelaMSW@aol.com
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Social Media at the School for Social Work The Smith College School for Social Work invites you to learn about what's going on at Lilly Hall through our various communication channels. All audiences can participate through one of our official social media channels, SSW-related online groups, In Brief alumni e-newsletter, or In Depth alumni magazine. Learn more at: http://www.smith.edu/ssw/about_follow.php Back to top
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