OU School of Social Work

05/30/2026

Congratulations Becca Carnett! 🎉

Becca Carnett successfully completed the Oklahoma Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and related Disabilities (LEND) program on May 7th at the OU Health campus. This intensive, 2-semester, interprofessional training program prepares students to work on multidisciplinary teams, engage with community partners, participate in advocacy, and learn about inclusive and person-first practices. LEND is part of the Association of University Centers
on Disabilities (AUCD).

05/29/2026

📣We have another job opening!

The Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma is seeking an Instructor/Lecturer to join our growing Online BASW Program.

This is an opportunity to help educate and support the next generation of social workers serving communities across Oklahoma and beyond.

📍 Norman or Tulsa, OK
💻 Online BASW Program
📅 Start Date: August 2026 or January 2027

Learn more and apply: https://apply.interfolio.com/185734 or scan QR code

05/22/2026

📣 We’re hiring!

The Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma is seeking an Instructor/Lecturer to join our growing Online MSW Program.

This is an opportunity to help educate and support the next generation of social workers serving communities across Oklahoma and beyond.

📍 Norman or Tulsa, OK
💻 Online MSW Program
📅 Start Date: August 2026 or January 2027

Learn more and apply: https://apply.interfolio.com/183679 or scan QR code

05/09/2026

Congratulations to our Director, Dr. McLeod for earning the Executive Certificate in Higher Education Leadership from Harvard University.

Check out his spotlight!

Professional Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education

David McLeod, Director of the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma, didn't come to Harvard looking for a credential.

It started with the Management Development Program. "Completing the MDP in 2023 literally transformed my approach to engaging with the science of leadership," McLeod says. Gaining practical skills in strategic thinking, systems analysis, and team development, he began applying what he learned immediately at the Zarrow School.

The next program he chose, Institutional Research and Data Leadership in Higher Education, expanded his data-driven approaches to strategic planning and workforce development. Crisis Leadership in Higher Education then reshaped how he led through emergencies and the persistent challenges facing Oklahoma communities. Where, as McLeod puts it, needs are both high and continually evolving. "I recognized a transition from passive learning to active implementation, and began applying newly acquired skills to real-world situations even before the course concluded."

The result: a school better equipped to address Oklahoma's mental health crisis, advanced workforce initiatives grounded in data, and a leader now advising organizations. "Making a bigger difference is what it’s all about, and the Executive Certificate in Higher Education Leadership has helped me take my game to the next level.”

Congratulations, McLeod. We're proud to have been part of your journey. 🎓

05/07/2026

Struggling clients do not always need more advice; they need conversations that help them find their own motivation for change.

Join Jon Kratz, LCSW, for Applying Motivational Interviewing in the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders, a practical webinar designed for clinicians who want to reduce resistance, strengthen the therapeutic relationship, and use evidence-based Motivational Interviewing skills in real-world mental health treatment.

Whether you are looking to deepen your clinical communication skills or expand your treatment toolkit, this training offers immediately applicable strategies you can bring into practice with clients across settings.

Register now for 2 CE hours, approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval #886970186-1144)

https://swchrs.ou.edu/Professional-Education/Social-Work-Continuing-Education/Live-Learning-Lab #13150210088-applying-motivational-interviewing-in-the-treatment-of-mental-health-disorders-nasw-approval--886970186-1144

05/04/2026

The Applied Social Innovation class, a partnership between the Price College of Business and the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work presented their social impact projects on Monday, April 20th.

Students shared innovative solutions to client engagement, coach retention, donor education and recruitment, and wellness programming for the Virtue Center, Fields and Futures, Bridges, and Crossings Clinic.

Thank you to our community partners for supporting this incredible learning experience!

04/30/2026

In April We Wear Blue: Charlotte Kendrick

Meet the Faculty Leading Transformative Work:

Charlotte devoted years of her professional practice to supporting children, families and building strong programs that are aimed at preventing child abuse.

"My work in child welfare was some of the most rewarding work I have done. You have the opportunity to impact children and their families and perhaps help change the trajectory of their lives"

https://www.ou.edu/cas/socialwork/about/faculty-and-staff/charlotte-kendrick

04/30/2026

Attention graduating social work students! Are you a member of NASW-OK? If so, you have the opportunity to receive a FREE honor cord for graduation. These iconic teal cords are the best way to show your social work pride on graduation day! Order yours here: https://bit.ly/naswokcords

Not a member yet? Join NOW to avoid paying full price after graduation, and to ensure you order and receive your grad cord on time: www.socialworkers.org/nasw/join

04/29/2026

Shout to one of our amazing field partners, Jamie Yahner. Jamie is the Executive Director of the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators.

As the nation recognizes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, a University of Oklahoma MSW practicum site was presented the U.S. Congressional Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus Suzanne McDaniel Award for Public Awareness for bringing change at the national level to advance rights and services for crime victims.

The National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators supports state governments in administering Victims of Crime Act funding, provides public education on VOCA, and raises awareness of victims’ rights.

Executive Director Jaime Yahner says, “We are grateful for OU MSW students who support NAVAA’s mission to ensure all victims have access to assistance. These students contribute to the public awareness work recognized by this award, including the National Resource on VOCA and the Crime Victims Fund and National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Community Awareness Projects.”

You can learn about NAVAA’s mission and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding at navaa.org.

04/28/2026

Child welfare is not only a local issue—it is a global one. By learning from other countries, we can better understand how different systems support children, strengthen families, and prevent harm. International child welfare research helps us see new possibilities and reminds us that stronger futures for children are built through shared learning, thoughtful policy, and global perspective.

At the Anne & Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, our long relationship with Haruv USA reflects a sustained commitment to learning across borders and advancing stronger responses to child abuse and neglect. Haruv USA is housed at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa and works to improve the quality of services for abused and neglected children through interdisciplinary education and training.

04/25/2026

In April We Wear Blue: Julie Merritt

I began my career at the Oklahoma Department of Human Services as an eligibility worker assisting single mothers obtain financial assistance. Although I enjoyed the work, it was not particularly rewarding and I could not see myself staying in this position long-term. After 18 months in this position, I was recruited to transfer to Child Welfare, another division within the Department of Human Services. Working in Child Welfare was never a career path I thought I would take. I couldn't imagine seeing abused and neglected children and interacting with the parents and caregivers that harmed these children. I thought I could give it a try for 6 months and if I didn't like it, I could always transfer back to my previous position. I found the work so important and meaningful that I remained in Child Welfare for 34 years until I retired.

I held multiple positions in Child Welfare. Starting as an investigator and retiring as a District Director in Child Welfare. Was it easy work? No. Was it challenging? Yes, but immensely rewarding. Being able to protect children from an unsafe or unstable home life and find a safe, permanent home for these children gave me a career path that was very fulfilling with a strong sense of purpose.

During my career in Child Welfare, I was given the opportunity to obtain my Master of Social Work Degree through the Child Welfare Professional Enhancement Program as a scholarship recipient. Currently, I am a Faculty Liaison working with OU Master of Social Work students who are completing their practicums in Child Welfare. I find assisting these students further their careers in Child Welfare also very gratifying and worthwhile.