NYU Silver School of Social Work

09/10/2026

A recent spate of Black adults found hanging from trees in the South has unnerved Black Americans. Skepticism that the deaths, which evoke the terror of lynchings, could be su***des is understandable, wrote Jarvis DeBerry for MS NOW.

DeBerry looked to NYU Silver Dean Michael A. Lindsey for context on the tragic trend. A leading researcher on su***de in Black communities, Dean Lindsey had previously raised concern that hanging is the most common method of su***de among Black children (as it is among all U.S. children).

“Why are our children choosing to end their lives in the brutal manner that snuffed out the lights of our ancestors?” Dean Lindsey wrote in the online edition of the NAACP magazine The Crisis back in January 2019. “What is going on?”

Dean Lindsey has been sounding the alarm about Black youth su***de for years. He and his colleagues have conducted research showing large increases in su***de rates among Black adolescents over three decades that are unmatched by peers in other racial and ethnic groups.

“Even if there’s disbelief that any of the above-mentioned cases were a su***de,” wrote DeBerry, “we should treat the rising rates of su***de among young Black people as the ‘house on fire’ that Lindsey says it is.”

Read DeBerry’s full op-ed at https://www.ms.now/opinion/highly-unusual-trend-of-black-hanging-deaths-in-the-south-has-black-people-considering-two-awful-explanations.

Jarvis DeBerry: Why the hanging deaths of Black people in the South are so difficult to talk about

09/09/2026

Truly engaging classroom discussions. Assignments that are accessible for all students. Clear expectations. Skillful facilitation of difficult conversations. These hallmarks of exceptional teaching not only foster social work students’ success but also translate into meaningful impact on the people and communities they serve.

As a result, NYU Silver School of Social Work prioritizes quality instruction, routinely updating curricula and teaching methods to reflect current scholarship. The school’s latest effort is a Faculty Pedagogy Development Course, introduced this fall.

“We know that many social work scholars and practitioners transition into teaching without formal pedagogical training,” said Clinical Associate Professor Anne Dempsey. NYU Silver addressed this gap by making the course mandatory for all new adjunct faculty and doctoral students. Grounded in learning science and social work values, it prepares participants for effective, student-centered instruction in virtual and physical classrooms.

“We believe this requirement is unique among New York City institutions,” noted Dr. Dempsey. “It is unquestionably a rarity in social work education nationwide.”

Learn more at socialwork.nyu.edu/news/2026/faculty-development-course.html.

09/03/2026

Meet our DSW Class of 2029: Aadya Bhatia, Jean-Paul Dugue, Laura E. Gallardo, April Nadine Gurley, Christine Galotti Noyes, Kundong He, Angela E. Park, Nathalie Quinonez, and Danielle SanGiovanni.

These accomplished clinicians bring experience in areas including palliative care, veterinary social work, trauma-informed care, relational healing, and equitable community development.

They are embarking on a doctoral program that will expand their expertise, elevate their leadership, and empower them to shape the future of the field.

Learn more about their backgrounds and scholarly interests at https://t.e2ma.net/webview/xfqtvw/99302a253b9371fa5faa6d225c8407da.

09/02/2026

Happy first day of classes!

We had a sweet start with cupcakes in the lobby, courtesy of the Silver Student Experience team.

It was fantastic to see so many new and returning faces. We’re wishing the entire NYU Silver community an enriching and impactful academic year!

09/01/2026

Yesterday, our incoming undergraduates traveled together to the Barclays Center for one of NYU’s beloved traditions: the Presidential Welcome and Reality Show.

With remarks from NYU President Linda G. Mills and a student-led musical sketch-comedy, first-year students from across the university gained valuable insights on navigating college life.

Our new social work undergraduates are pictured outside the West 4th Street subway station as they headed to Brooklyn.

Today, the students continued acclimating to the NYU Silver community at our BS Student Orientation.

Please join us in welcoming these future changemakers!

[Photo credit: Undergraduate Program Assistant Director Dr. Amanda Nieliwocki]

09/01/2026

September is . Recently published research led by NYU Silver Dean Michael A. Lindsey shows a powerful link between carrying a gun and the risk of a teen attempting su***de by any means – 4 times the likelihood for non-carrying teens. However, adults in the lives of teenagers can help to lower those odds, say Dr. Lindsey and his colleagues:

If you keep a gun in your home, learn more about safe fi***rm storage. Start by doing a web search for “Safe Storage Saves Lives” at the Center for Gun Violence Solutions at Johns Hopkins.

Come up with a safety plan, along with your child, for what to do when they are in crisis. This includes making their environment safe from access to fi***rms and other potential means of self-harm. A web search for “At-Home Safety Guide for Self-Harm or Suicide,” will take you to Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s page with advice.

Find out if your community, child’s school or counselor is using evidence-based programs such as Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM), the ASK Campaign (Asking Saves Kids) and the Safety Planning Intervention. If not, advocate for their use; as well as for comprehensive fi***rm legislation that addresses child-access prevention, safe storage, and age restrictions

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 anytime to speak to a trained counselor.

Learn more about the study linking gun carrying and adolescent su***de risk at JAMA Network Open or on NYU Silver’s website at
socialwork.nyu.edu/news/2026/lindsey-gun-carrying-and-su***de-study.html.

08/31/2026

Please join us in welcoming our new PhD Cohort to NYU Silver: Yong-lim Choung, Jingyi Huang, Shengyi Jing, Livia Liu, Hyunbo Shim, Yilin Wang, and Becca Wong.

These incoming scholars bring diverse research interests, including child and family well-being, marginalized youth and young adults, responsible AI in social work, and gender-based violence. They join a dynamic group of continuing scholars preparing to become researchers, educators, and leaders in the field. Meet all of our current PhD students at socialwork.nyu.edu/a-silver-education/degree-programs/phd/meet-our-students.html.

At last week’s Orientation, organized by PhD Program Director Michelle Munson and Assistant Director Perri Greenbaum, the new cohort learned about program expectations and resources. They also connected with current students and alumni, and met many of the faculty and administrators who will support them throughout the program.

Dean Michael A. Lindsey shared the following advice for the journey ahead:

* Tap Into Your “Why”: When you need energy to move forward, remember the passion that motivated you to pursue your PhD.
* Lean on Your Cohort: The camaraderie with your peers will provide critical support along the way.
* Listen to Your Mentors: Take in the insights and feedback from experienced scholars who followed this path before you.
* Don’t Forget Self-Care: Make time to laugh, recharge, and maintain balance in your life.

08/28/2026

: Sometimes the most meaningful mental health support isn’t having the answer. “It’s creating space where you feel safe enough to say, ‘Gosh, I just don’t feel good… Today, I could just really use a friend,’” said Vibrant Emotional Health CEO Cara McNulty.

Dr. McNulty was speaking at the start of Our Vibe Check, a free, youth-led mental health festival hosted by Vibrant in partnership with NYU Silver.

Held at NYU, the event brought together young adults ages 16–24 for a day of creative arts, mindful movement, and unfiltered peer dialogue in an inclusive, judgment-free space.

Read our recap to learn how the day normalized mental health support and empowered young people with new skills to care for themselves, friends, and loved ones: socialwork.nyu.edu/news/2026/our-vibe-check-elevates-youth-mental-health.html.

08/27/2026

“Social work is a profession of hope, it is a profession of possibility, and at its very best, it is a profession that helps people imagine and build a better future.”

Dean Michael A. Lindsey welcomed more than 300 new MSW students to Orientation with that reflection on the impact of our field.

He noted that social work addresses complex situations and requires rigorous training. “Much like a brain surgeon must perform their task with precision and expertise, we must also go into these moments prepared to deliver services and interventions, meeting people where they are with the best possible skills and preparation.”

Our incoming MSW cohort is now on their way to gaining the knowledge, skills, and tools to do that critical work. Dean Lindsey and all of us at the School are proud to welcome them to the NYU Silver community and celebrate their calling to become professional social workers.

08/26/2026

Our BS and MSW student Orientation Leaders (OLs) can’t wait to welcome their new peers to the NYU Silver Community! After yesterday’s intensive training, they are ready to go.

Throughout Orientation, OLs help new students build connections, learn community expectations, and navigate key resources. Their support doesn’t end there, though. OLs remain available all year long to answer questions and suggest resources.

Thank you to all of this year’s OLs who will help our incoming class of 2026 have a successful start to their NYU Silver experience:

BS OLs: Hakeem Baksh, Amina Bermudez, Natalie Dai, Taylor DeMaestri, Annie Durso, and Elani Mendoza

MSW OLs: Thamara Desir, Zine Ebersohn, Aerin Fink, Genna Goins, Andrzej John, Joseph Levin-Manning, Kisha Pace, Dayana Quispe Salome, Kai Robinson, Rocio Lopez Romero, Sandra Roper, Yairi Rosario De Peña, Kelsy Smith, and Vincent Thompson