Smith College School for Social Work

Back to Smith! Jennifer Bullock, M.S.W. ’00, returned for a Ph.D. to deepen her knowledge of psychodynamic theory and to advance her career opportunities with a doctorate in clinical social work. It was an easy choice because she knew SSW's program structure would allow her to stay in the job she loves, spend time with family and do innovative research. Her advice? “You can do hard things.” Read more about her here: https://buff.ly/4fXvstb 1) Jennifer on her favorite running route on campus by Paradise Pond 2) Proud mom Jennifer with her son at his graduation 3) Jennifer's two sons 4) "Keeping it keto at Smith" (taken during summer 2024 when she returned to campus for a self-imposed writer's retreat) 5) The syllabus Jennifer kept from her favorite course, Gerald (Gerry) Schamess' Knowing, Not Knowing and Muddling Through from 2000 6) After breakfast at King/Scales, summer 2024 7) Jennifer's professional headshot

Congratulations to Ph.D. student Cheryl Aguilar! She received the 2024 Council on Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity (CRECD) Award at Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting this fall. “The award recognizes doctoral students and junior faculty members with outstanding scholarship in the areas of racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity in social work education.” An immigrant from Honduras, Cheryl's research explores the impact of immigration on mental health and the intersection of policy and mental health. Read more: https://buff.ly/3ZdO9Du

Ph.D. In-Person Open House December 5! Join Marsha Pruett, director of the Ph.D. program and Katya Cerar, Ph.D. '13, senior director of Practicum Learning to hear how our commitment to clinical excellence and scholarship will help you meet your professional goals. December 5, 2024, noon – 2:30 pm ET at Lilly Hall, Smith College. https://buff.ly/4fSOmBl

Ph.D. student Cheryl Aguilar's work focuses on the impacts of family separation policies on mental health. Here she is interviewed by Telemundo 44 Washington, D.C. on how her organization is responding to the impacts of the incoming presidency.

Lamont Bridge dressed up for fall.

When Taylor McCain graduated from Smith College in 2020, she had no idea she would return two years later to pursue her M.S.W. but that’s just what an unexpected job, a few recommendations from colleagues and trusting her intuition led her to do. Read more: https://buff.ly/3CebOdO

The colorful autumn transformation at Paradise Pond spillway. A beautiful and inspiring setting.

A little bit of alumni joy to brighten your Tuesday from the recent and fantastic Council on Social Work Education #CSWE2024 annual program meeting. Appearances by alums Devon Musson Rose, M.S.W. '04, Alison Sutton-Ryan DBH, LCSW,LISAC, M.S.W. '98, Lisa Moore, M.S.W. '98, Dana Benton, M.S.W. '09, and Kara Cavel, PhD, LICSW, Ph.D. '15. Pink hair by Lorelei Erisis, assistant director of admissions.

Jezz Chung, 2024 Commencement speaker, recently reminisced about their wonderful experience coming to Smith to share their thoughtful, impactful and very first commencement speech. “In looking at every revolutionary struggle that fought for and secured the quality of life we have today, it’s clear that mass social change comes from a momentum of radical, daring efforts to do things differently— over and over again." In case you missed it and need some hope for your week, you can read powerful reminders of the change that happens from collective care and connection in the beautiful threads of the different Commencement speakers here: https://buff.ly/3ArZbv2 Full Commencement 2024 video here in case you want to hear the speeches: https://buff.ly/4fsI0IV 1) Phuongloan Vo, Ph.D. '24 class speaker and Jezz Chung. 2) Jezz Chung during a grounding future-dreaming exercise led by M.S.W. class speaker Devin Duprey, '24. 3) Jezz Chung sharing their speech Photos 2 and 3 by Shana Sureck Photography

In her doctoral research, Pamela L. Begay, Ph.D. ’20, LCSW, a member of the Diné Nation of Shiprock, New Mexico, explored American Indian and Alaska Native social work faculty’s experiences of being mentored. Now, in her day-today life, Pamela herself is an academic, guiding the next generation of Native and non-Native social workers. “I always love telling my students that I want them to consider what it might mean for them to be under an umbrella of such an amazing profession—that there’s so much room and there’s so much to do,” she said. Given her broad experience in the field and the variety of responsibilities she juggles on a day-to-day basis, this is something Pamela can truly demonstrate firsthand. Read more about a day in her life here: https://buff.ly/3AjZ7NS Story by Megan Rubiner Zinn, photos by Sharon Rhiney Photo 1) Pamela in the Graham Chapel at Washington University in St. Louis 2) Pamela and Manesseh Begay at the Buder Center 2023 Powwow at Washington University 3) Pamela speaks at the Hunt Fish Gather event celebrating Indigenous culinary arts at the St Louis Art Museum. November 2023. 4) Pamela teaching Principles of Differential Diagnosis to M.S.W. students at the Brown School at Washington University 5) Pam Begay stands with various members of the Buder Center board and community at the Hunt Fish Gather event celebrating Indigenous culinary arts at the St Louis Art Museum. November 2023.