University of Missouri School of Social Work

09/04/2026

We love seeing students like Rey Martin recognized for their passion, compassion, and commitment to helping others. 💛🖤

A Stamps Scholar and incoming Mizzou student, Rey has chosen to pursue social work because he wants to support people who “fall through the cracks of the system.” We’re excited to follow his journey and see where it takes him!

Sitting in a hotel room surrounded by his high school speech and debate teammates earlier this year, Rey Martin received a phone call that left him a bit speechless. The call was from Honors College Dean Catherine Rymph offering Martin the Stamps Scholarship, Mizzou’s premier academic award.

“Getting that call was insane,” said Martin, who is from Raymore, Missouri. “I was so excited and ran around telling everyone that I was not only going to Mizzou, but I was also going to be a Stamps Scholar.”

Martin is one of eight Stamps Scholars beginning their college journeys this fall at Mizzou, and he plans to pursue a degree in social work. It’s a field he has been passionate about for a long time.

“Growing up, I faced some adversity, and I’ve just always wanted to help others,” Martin said. “It’s really the only thing I could see myself doing. I wanted to be that person who supported those individuals who fall through the cracks of the system. Originally, I thought I would study psychology, but around my junior year I realized it wasn’t the route I wanted to take. I didn’t know what to really do next, but I had a teacher who suggested social work, and it seemed to be the perfect fit.”

Learn more about Martin: https://honors.missouri.edu/news/2026/09/driven-to-help-others/

Mizzou College of Health Sciences

09/02/2026

Congratulations to professor, Dr. Aaron Thompson, and team for their publication, Translation of the SMARTS self-regulation intervention from elementary to middle school. Read their publication and learn about this innovative intervention at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10497315261432576.

08/31/2026

Congratulations to Alex Lewis, EdSp, MSW, LCSW, on being named Associate Director of the School of Social Work.

Learn more about her and how she will help integrate AI into the social work education: https://brnw.ch/21x5ku9

08/26/2026

Associate professor, Dr. Clark Peters, describes best practices in gathering data for legal advocates:

Legal advocates may find it helpful to use survey and research tools to inform and improve their own practice.

07/06/2026

We are thrilled to have Dr. Hibdon join the School of Social Work!

Experienced scholar joins the Mizzou School of Social Work to help shape the rapidly growing program.

06/22/2026

Dr. Dani Adams recently presented at the Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research in the Netherlands. Her work on Psychedelic Medicine Legislative Reform and Legalization in the USA also included MSW student, Gregory Williams.

06/19/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Kelli Canada on her appointment as Associate Dean for Research in the College of Health Sciences! As a professor in the School of Social Work, Dr. Canada has provided exceptional leadership to our faculty, helping to grow grant funding, scholarly productivity, and research impact. We are excited to see the continued influence of her leadership in this new role.

Please join us in congratulating Kelli Canada on being named associate dean for research in the Mizzou College of Health Sciences, effective July 1.

A highly accomplished researcher, Canada brings an extensive record of externally funded work and national leadership in her field. Her experience building partnerships and advancing impactful research will help strengthen our college’s research mission.

Read more: https://brnw.ch/21x3sEX

06/16/2026

We’re excited to highlight a meaningful new addition to the School of Social Work, a powerful piece of artwork by Monica McGee. The framed art depicts Little Rock Central High School, a national historic site that stands as a powerful symbol of the Civil Rights Movement and the courage of the Little Rock Nine. Art has the power to spark conversation, reflection, and change, and we’re honored to bring this piece into our space. 🎨💛

📸: Dr. Thompson with his family, where he found this incredible artwork and met the artist, Monica McGee.

06/01/2026

Congratulations to MSW/PhD graduate Dr. Douglas Attoh Odongo on this well-deserved recognition from SSWR! 🎉 His research is helping improve employment outcomes and quality of life for young adults with autism, and we are proud to celebrate his accomplishments and contributions to the field of social work research. 👏💛🖤

Meet SSWR member Dr. Douglas Attoh Odongo, who recently successfully defended his dissertation at the University of Missouri in Columbia, which focused on improving employability and job satisfaction among young adults with autism. Congratulations, Dr. Odongo!

He holds a Bachelor of Social Work and an MPhil. in Sociology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. He is forging applied research in the world of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. His research advances applied work in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, with a focus on identifying evidence-based interventions that support young adults with autism as they transition into adulthood. He has also published on intellectual disabilities and healthcare, urban streets and education, and continues to expand his research contributions. Learn more about Dr. Odongo here: https://sswr.org/news/727643/SSWR-Member-Spotlight-Dr.-Douglas-Odongo.htm

05/27/2026

Upcoming deadline:

Applications to the online BSW professional program are 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭 for the Fall 2026 cohort. For additional information visit our Secondary Application website.

Step 1: Apply to Mizzou Type of student Application instructions First-time college student Apply to MU and choose Social Work – Pre-Social Work as your major. Transfer students Complete the MU Undergraduate Admissions Application and note “Pre-Social Work” as your intended majo...