News

Dr. Williamson presents at CSWE

Our own Dr. Estella Williamson will be presenting at the CSWE APM this weekend! Dr. Williamson's presentation is titled: Techniques for Developing Skills in Field Education through Anti-racism and Anti-oppression Lenses.
Nov 5, 2021

Read our Fall Quarter Newsletter

Arial view of small table with coffee and pastry and a person sitting on a couch with their computer on another table

We are happy to announce the launch of our Fall Quarter Social Work Department Newsletter! This quarter, read about our highlighted BSW and MSW students, current announcements, new faculty introductions and read our first installment of a three-part faculty interview series.
Oct 28, 2021

Back to School: Social Workers Help Students, Families, Teachers Adjust After COVID

A sea of laptops and masks swirls around a student who is trying to pull themselves up out of the mess with a rope

COVID has created a wave of hiring for school social workers, who not only have needed to help locate missing students but also help all students get resources to regain momentum—both developmentally and academically—and to get them mental health services and grief counseling if needed. But many school social workers see the problems of the “lost year” as a larger opportunity to make schools more welcoming and less punitive so students and school communities can thrive.
Oct 14, 2021

Upcoming Events and Grad Fairs

Meet the MSW Directors. Dr. Estella Williamson, DSW, Field Director, Clinical Professor | Dr. Mary Kay Brennan, DSW, MSW, LICSW, MSW Director, Clinical Professor, Social Work Chair

Check out these upcoming grad fairs and MSW events!
Sep 27, 2021

Can a Court Victory Provide Refuge for Foster Youth?

A mother and son stand together, their backs facing the camera

Despite millions of dollars in funding from the Legislature to tackle the problem, the number of nights that foster children spend in hotels and offices has increased steadily over the past seven years. Between Sept. 1, 2020, and July 15, a record 233 children spent 2,016 nights in hotels and offices, according to the Washington State Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds. A recent federal court order requires the state to finally halt the practice, which, according to advocates, further traumatizes children, leads to worsening behavior, and threatens their long-term mental and physical health.
Aug 18, 2021

SU Joins Others in Calling for Passage of Dream Act

Citing an uncertain future for hundreds of thousands of Dreamers, their employers, families, and communities after a Texas federal judge declared DACA unlawful and closed the DACA program to future applicants, more than 400 CEOs, University Presidents, and civic leaders sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) urging them to pass the bipartisan Durbin-Graham DREAM Act of 2021.
Jul 22, 2021

Upcoming Event-Professor Highlight: Dr. Cristofalo

MSW Professor Highlight-Dr. Meg Cristofalo

Join us for a professor highlight with Dr. Meg Cristofalo! This event is a chance for prospective and new students to get to know their professors. Bring your questions about the program, social work careers, or anything else you wish to ask Dr. Cristofalo!
Jul 8, 2021

$38 Million Set of Gifts From Ballmer Group to Address Behavioral Health Crisis

The University of Washington announced that the School of Social Work and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and the Behavioral Health Institute at Harborview Medical Center are part of a transformational $38 million set of gifts from Ballmer Group to support a broad, collaborative response to the state’s behavioral health crisis. Seattle University is one of a number of colleges and universities in the state participating in this effort through graduate student financial assistance provided by the Ballmer Group gifts.
Jun 25, 2021