School of Social Work

Students at the UW School of Social Work advanced the mission of social and economic justice through the Grand Challenges for Social Work Student Design Projects as they developed and tested solutions to some of today’s most pressing social issues. The Grand Challenges for Social Work is a national initiative that calls on social workers to take on large, complex problems such as reducing inequal…

In November 2026, the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute (IWRI) will host the International Network of Indigenous Health, Wellness & Development (INIHKD), an annual, week-long conference convening Indigenous scholars, researchers, practitioners, creatives and community leaders from around the world. This year, INIHKD will focus on three interconnected sub‑themes: Indigenous Health and He…

Northwest Asian Weekly wrote a profile chronicling University of Washington School of Social Work Dean Michael Spencer's journey to become the UW's first Native Hawaiian dean. For 43 years, Northwest Asian Weekly was the only English-edition newspaper serving Washington’s Asian community.

The UW School of Social Work Alumni Mixer on May 14 will recognize three outstanding alumni: Derek Crain, Ramona Beltran and Em Loerzel, whose professional accomplishments and commitment to social work exemplify the values of our School. The event will also welcome alumni from across the country and serve as an opportunity to network and reconnect.

The Asian Pacific Fund has awarded University of Washington School of Social Work Dean Michael S. Spencer the 2025 Chang‑Lin Tien Leadership in Education Award, one of the nation’s most distinguished honors recognizing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) leaders in U.S. higher education. The San Franciso-based non-profit presents the annual award to individuals who demon…

Behavioral Health Crisis Outreach Response and Education (BHCore), a School of Social Work research center founded by Associate Professor Jennifer Stuber, is equipping first responders across Washington state with vital behavioral health skills and strengthens how first responders are recruited, trained and supported across Washington. On March 19, 2026, South County Fire & Rescue recognized…

Each year, the Stanford University–Elsevier study identifies the world’s leading scientists whose published work ranks among the top 2% globally for research impact. In its most recent 2024 and 2025 updates, several scholars from the University of Washington School of Social Work earned this prestigious distinction.

After 29 years at the University of Washington School of Social Work, Associate Teaching Professor Emeritus Stan De Mello retired at the conclusion of the 2025 Fall quarter. De Mello was a beloved and active member of the SSW faculty, teaching hundreds of students, serving as liaison with field instructors in the BASW and MSW programs and providing wise leadership in the Community-Centered Integr…

Assistant Teaching Professor Charlotte Sanders was honored as the School of Social Work recipient of the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award at a ceremony on January 15th. Sanders, who serves as the Master of Social Work program director, was chosen for her commitment to the social justice principles of Dr. King and commitment to serving those in need.

For many years, Asian/Asian American (A/AA) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NH/PI) student data in Washington have been grouped together, which has made it difficult to understand the challenges faced by students within these diverse communities. To better understand these differences, UW researchers Max Halvorson, Santino Camacho and Jenn Nguyễn spent two years studying student experie…

Graduates of the University of Washington Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare (BASW) program share insights about their current professional roles, and offer candid advice for navigating the BASW program, preparing for the job market and imagining their futures in social work.

Associate Professor Clara Berridge's research examines the ethical, privacy and equity implications of surveillance and AI technologies in elder care. As she brings this critical lens to national media, policy discussions and a new UW course on Social Welfare and AI, Berridge continues to advocate for technology that upholds dignity, human connection and justice.

University of Washington Ph.D. students Vania Buck and Jon Torres were recognized this past weekend at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Conference as recipients of the 2025 Minority Fellowship Program. Current UW Ph.D. students Joanna La Torre and Juliann Li Verdugo were also selected as MFP fellows in 2023 and 2024, respectively.

As we enter Fall Quarter, the School is proud to announce several key leadership transitions, faculty promotions and new hires. The School will continue to share updates each quarter as we celebrate the achievements and contributions of our community.

The newest cohort of Bachelor of Arts in Social Welfare (BASW) juniors has completed their first week in the program and they are already feeling inspired, challenged and deeply connected to their goals. Asked to reflect on their early impressions, three BASW students shared what has stood out most during this important transition.