Social Work is Everywhere

Inside the University of Maryland School of Social Work's Behavioral Health Workforce Integration Service and Educational (BHWISE) SUDIF Fellowship: MSW Alumni Share Practicum Experiences, Training, and Career Paths in Substance Use and Behavioral Health.

Latavia Little of the University of Maryland School of Social Work introduces BHWISE fellowships and highlights the two-year Substance Use Disorders Interventions Fellowship (SUDIF), which provides MSW students specialized training, financial stipends, and dedicated practicum placements in exchange for a two-year postgraduation service commitment in substance use disorder treatment. Alumni Avon Bryant and Shatera Hillyard (Class of 2024) discuss what inspired them to pursue social work, their interests in substance use work, how they learned about and applied to SUDIF, and the fellowship’s benefits and challenges, including added coursework, seminars, and Maryland work requirements. They share practicum experiences at The Dorm, Whitman Walker Health, and Turk House, key takeaways on meeting clients where they are, levels of care, and integrating substance use and mental health treatment, and explain how SUDIF training supports their current roles and future goals.

00:00 Welcome and Overview

01:22 Meet the Alumni Guests

01:45 Why Social Work

04:22 Interest in Substance Use

07:12 Finding and Choosing SUDIF

09:48 Fellowship Perks and Challenges

13:38 Practicum Sites and Lessons

17:48 Careers After Graduation

21:17 Future Goals and Licensure

23:48 Advice for Prospective Students

26:49 Closing and How to Apply

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.   

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In this episode of the Social Work is Everywhere Podcast, Fulvio Cativo, Associate Dean of External Affairs, chats with Tisha Edwards, MSW’00, JD’01, President and CEO of the Maryland Bankers Association, member of the University of Maryland School of Social Work Board of Advisors, and University System of Maryland Board Regent.  Tisha shares how her upbringing and undergraduate experience motivated her to pursue a dual master’s degree in social work and law at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and how her interdisciplinary training helped her navigate multiple careers in a variety of sectors and industries.
 
To learn more about MSW degree options at the University of Maryland School of Social Work, include our dual degree programs, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/admissions/msw-admissions/

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.   

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In “Alumni Perspectives and Advice for the Class of 2026,” host Connie Sgarlata (UMSSW MSW ’89) welcomes University of Maryland School of Social Work alumni Lori James-Townes (MSW ’91), Kathryn Zimmerman (MSW ’20), and Jamel Freeman (MSW ’25) to share their social work journeys, defining experiences at the School, and their views on the future of the profession. Lori James-Townes, executive director of the National Association for Public Defense, reflects on mentorship and discovering forensic social work; Karhryn Zimmerman discusses her mid-career transition from hospital administration to clinical practice, including school-based work and Red Cross mental health response; Jamel Freeman, founder of Social Innovation 2.3 and the SIF Foundation, emphasizes systems thinking, suicide prevention, and integrating AI ethically in social work. The conversation highlights professional identity, equity, and the need for community, authenticity, and courage. 

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.   

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UMSSW alumnae and founders of the CASH Campaign of Maryland, Robin McKinney, MSW ’01 and Sara Johnson, MSW ’02 discuss their career path into financial social work, challenges faced in the social work profession, and their experience founding the Cash Campaign of Maryland.
 
To learn more about financial social work at the University of Maryland School of Social Work visit https://ssw.umaryland.edu/fwsi

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.   

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In this episode of the Social Work Is Everywhere podcast, Michelle Reyazuddin, a second-year clinical MSW student and first-gen lead scholar at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work, speaks with Dean Judy Postmus about the School’s newly developed vision statement: “At the University of Maryland School of Social Work, we envision a future where social work research, practice, and policy come together to drive social justice and equity, strengthen communities and improve lives locally, nationally, and globally.” 

Dean Postmus explains the difference between mission and vision, why a shared school-wide vision was needed, and how it was created through months of discussions, focus groups, surveys, an all-staff brainstorming session, and a community vote. They discuss how students can apply the vision by keeping research, practice, and policy connected in coursework and practicum, and how the School can live the vision through community partnerships and values-based decision-making. 

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.   

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In this special episode of the Social Work Is Everywhere Podcast, we bring you highlights from our conversations with the OASIS team at the University of Maryland's School of Social Work. Join us as we discuss strategic planning, collaboration, community and global engagement, and the importance of aligning strategic goals with personal and institutional values. Learn about the evolving landscape of social work, the significance of relational intelligence, and the enduring legacy of Dr. Raju Varghese. Tune in for insights on building resilient, adaptable, and collaborative approaches in social work.

00:00 Introduction to the Social Work Is Everywhere Podcast
00:06 Highlights from University of Maryland Faculty and Staff
00:16 Strategic Planning and Partnerships with OASIS
00:35 Reflections on Resiliency and Adaptability
00:41 Key Takeaways from the Oasis Team
00:48 Community and Policy Developments
01:18 Aligning Goals with Values
02:09 The Importance of Relational Intelligence
03:48 Interdisciplinary and Global Initiatives
04:34 Building Relationships Across Schools
05:12 Redefining Strategy and Resilience
06:19 The Role of Social Work in Everyday Life
06:48 Closing Remarks and Tribute to Dr. Raju Varghese

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.   

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Join Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson on the Social Work Is Everywhere podcast as they explore the Moving Well Project—a groundbreaking initiative delivering mental health and HIV prevention support to long-distance truck drivers in Zambia and beyond.

In this episode, you’ll hear from:

• Sabeen Ahmed, clinical social worker and curriculum developer for the Moving Well app
• Munsaka Mubela, coordinator with the Truck Drivers Association of Zambia
• Gracious Witola, social scientist and public health researcher

Discover how the team:

• Identified the unique mental health and HIV risks faced by truck drivers
• Developed and adapted a mobile app to deliver accessible, culturally relevant support
• Overcame challenges in reaching a mobile population through creative solutions like WhatsApp groups
• Engaged local communities, government, and private sector partners for sustainable impact

Learn about the project’s successes, lessons learned, and hopes for scaling up to reach more drivers across Africa and the world.

If you’re inspired by this work, please consider supporting the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Your donation helps fund scholarships, research, and community partnerships: https://ssw.umaryland.edu/give 

For more information about admissions: https://ssw.umaryland.edu/msw

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.   

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In this episode of the 'Social Work Is Everywhere' podcast, hosts Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson interview Dr. Simona Simona, a lecturer at the University of Zambia and Assistant Dean for Research in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Simona shares insights on the critical role of community partnerships in research, emphasizing ethical, relevant, and community-driven approaches. He reflects on his decade-long collaboration with Dr. Michalopoulos, particularly focusing on their work with vulnerable communities like Fisher Folks and international truck drivers. Dr. Simona discusses the importance of integrating cultural humility over mere competency and offers advice to global social workers on avoiding extractive research practices. The episode also highlights Dr. Simona's contributions to the field through his work on gender-based violence in Sub-Saharan Africa and his development of educational resources, including an upcoming book on using R for quantitative methods. Listeners are encouraged to support the University of Maryland School of Social Work and connect with Dr. Simona via LinkedIn. 

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.   

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In this episode of the Social Workers Everywhere podcast, hosts Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson interview Virginia and Amy from the University of Maryland's Center for Global Engagement (CGE). The discussion highlights the diverse and significant roles of social workers across various industries and the importance of global engagement in education and research. Virginia and Amy share their personal journeys into the field, provide insights into CGE's impactful programs like the President's Global Impact Fund and the Provost Global Scholar Program, and discuss challenges and strategies for sustainability and collaboration. They emphasize the transformative power of global education and encourage students and faculty to embrace international opportunities for a broader, more nuanced understanding of their professions and the world. The episode concludes with a call to support global initiatives at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.   

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In this episode of the Social Work is Everywhere podcast, we dive into the global impact of social work through the experiences of students Christa Gloster and Claude Thomas from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. They discuss their participation in the India course, a program developed in partnership with Rajagiri College in Kerala, India. The course offers students the opportunity to attend international conferences and engage in cultural site visits. Christa and Claude share how they learned about the program, their initial perceptions, and how these evolved during their trip. They also talk about the personal and professional challenges faced, the cultural differences observed, and the valuable lessons gained. The episode concludes with advice for prospective students considering global social work opportunities. 

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.   

Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today. 

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