UConn School of Social Work

06/23/2026

📣 Civic engagement doesn’t start and end at the ballot box.🗳🇺🇸

In a recent Nancy on Norwalk feature, Shannon Lane, director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work and professor-in-residence at UConn School of Social Work, highlighted the many ways community members can make a difference year-round.

“Get to know what is happening in your community and who the local people are who are already out there and engaged,” Lane advises. From neighborhood associations and community organizations to public meetings and local boards, meaningful participation often begins close to home.

Lane emphasizes that neighborhood groups help ensure elected and appointed leaders hear from a broad range of residents—not just the loudest voices—so decisions are informed by the collective experiences of the community.

At the UConn School of Social Work, we know that strong communities are built through civic engagement, collective action, and informed participation. Through the Humphreys Institute, Lane continues to advance the field of political social work and empower people to strengthen democracy in their everyday lives.

🔗 Read the full story: Beyond Voting: How Participation in Norwalk Can Happen Year-Round. https://www.nancyonnorwalk.com/beyond-voting-how-participation-in-norwalk-can-happen-year-round/

NORWALK, Conn. — From public comment periods to volunteer boards and neighborhood organizations, Norwalk leaders say residents have more opportunities to pa ...

06/22/2026

UConn School of Social Work's MSW program prepares students who are passionate about helping others to improve individual and community well-being. Ranked among the top 9% of all MSW programs nationwide, we train our students for clinical social work and to advocate for improved social policies and services.

Apply for our affordable, fully online MSW program by July 1!

https://socialwork.uconn.edu/masters-social-work/apply-msw/

06/18/2026

Dear UConn School of Social Work Community,

On Friday, June 19, we commemorate Juneteenth, a day that marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States and honors the enduring legacy of Black communities.

Juneteenth recognizes June 19, 1865, when news of freedom finally reached 250,000 enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. In June 2021, Congress passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

As a school grounded in the values of social justice, human dignity, and equity, we acknowledge both the significance of this historic milestone and the ongoing work required to address racial inequities and advance justice in our communities. Juneteenth provides an opportunity for reflection, learning, and action as we consider how history continues to shape the experiences of individuals, families, and communities today.

Across Connecticut, communities are honoring Juneteenth through festivals, educational programs, performances, and opportunities for reflection and community engagement. We encourage those who are interested to explore local commemorations and continue learning about the history and significance of Juneteenth. Learn more: https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2026-05-29/juneteenth-ct-events-celebrations-festivals-list

Thank you for all you do to foster a more equitable and inclusive School of Social Work and to advance our profession's commitment to social justice. 👏⭐🔥✊🏽

Sincerely,

Laura Curran
Dean and Professor
University of Connecticut School of Social Work

06/15/2026

Are you ready to take your social work education to the next degree? 👩🏾‍🎓👨🏼‍🎓🎓

On June 25, join us for a virtual information session about our UConn Ph.D. program in Social Work. Learn more about the program, course work, training, career preparation and how it may align with your goals.

Bring your questions and join an invigorating conversation with the UConn School of Social Work Ph.D. Program Director and Director of Admissions!

REGISTER: https://connect.grad.uconn.edu/register/?id=087aa422-a9bb-4e28-8e39-428ae36684bf

06/12/2026

As political polarization, voter fatigue, and public distrust in institutions continue to shape the national conversation, UConn School of Social Work's Shannon Lane believes one message is more important than ever: democracy only works when people participate. 🗳️🏛️📥☑️🇺🇸

Lane, director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work at the School of Social Work, recently shared that message during an appearance on Democracy Does: The Civic Power Playbook, a podcast hosted by journalist Robin N. Hamilton that explores how public policy affects everyday life and what citizens can do to become more engaged in their communities. 📥☑️🇺🇸

Read more in this UConn Today article: https://today.uconn.edu/2026/06/lane-discusses-civic-engagement-voting-rights-power-of-community-on-national-podcast/

06/11/2026

📚 New research by UConn School of Social Work Assistant Professor Rupal Parekh examines advance care planning among “solo agers” — older adults who may not have family or close friends available to make decisions for them if they become incapacitated. 👴

The study, published in the May 2026 issue of Educational Gerontology, found that older adults who were older and more highly educated were more likely to complete advance care planning documents. At the same time, many participants expressed hesitation about planning for future care because of uncertainty about the process, financial concerns, and discomfort discussing end-of-life decisions.

The findings highlight the need for targeted education, support, and policy solutions to help solo agers prepare for future health and care needs.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03601277.2026.2663334

06/10/2026

Congratulations to Breana Bietsch ’25 Ph.D (SSW), LMSW! The methods portion of her UConn School of Social Work Ph.D. dissertation was published in the Journal of Social Service Research on June 8! 🏳⭐️👏

The study, titled “Applying Qualitative Research Methods to Provide Quality Social Services for Supporting Older LGBTQIA+ Adults’ Health Needs,” explores the lived experiences of older LGBTQIA+ adults through an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) plan. 🏳️‍🌈 Results of this qualitative approach helped to create context for their experiences, and derive shared themes for better understanding of what social services this populations needs to support better health outcomes.

Breana is currently an assistant professor at the School of Social Work at Bridgewater State University. Her advisor was Cristina Mogro-Wilson, Zachs Endowed Professor and director of the Ph.D. Program at the UConn SSW.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01488376.2026.2684544

06/09/2026

UConn School of Social Work offers a fully-online, affordable MSW program. We award more than $1 million in scholarships each year and are committed to providing transparency when it comes to cost and can help you navigate financial barriers.

Application Deadline: July 1, 2026

https://socialwork.uconn.edu/masters-social-work/apply-msw/

06/08/2026

Are you planning on attending the 2026 National Association of Social Workers Conference? Be sure to join UConn School of Social Work's Milagros Marrero-Johnson, MSW, senior director of strategic initiatives and community engagement at the Closing Plenary Session, starting at 10:15 a.m. June 13!

Milagros will be speaking on “Defending Equity and Inclusion: Social Work’s Role in Advancing Anti-Racism, Collective Liberation, and Justice-Centered Leadership.”

The 2026 NASW National Conference — Beyond the Breaking Point: Connection Through Purpose and Power — brings thousands of social workers, clinicians, advocates, and thought leaders together in Washington, DC.

https://www.socialworkers.org/Events/NASW-Conferences

06/03/2026

The UConn School of Social Work Doctoral Fellowship Awards Committee recently announced seven winners of doctoral program internal awards. This year, the committee awarded $32,500 across five funding programs.

These students are researching how asylum law shapes LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, influences on adolescents with uncertain cancer prognoses, juvenile justice policy reform, social service interventions for survivors of child labor in Zambia, cigarette dependence and among gender minority emerging adults, and more.

“This was one of the most competitive cycles we have seen in the history of the doctoral program, with 14 applications received,” says committee member Cristina Mogro-Wilson, Zachs Endowed Professor, director, Ph.D. Program, School of Social Work.

Learn more about the winners and their projects: https://today.uconn.edu/2026/06/7-school-of-social-work-doctoral-students-awarded/