News
Wed, 06/03/2026
Rebeca Sandoval receives Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching
Sandoval helps lead a partnership with Kansas State University to offer the MSW program in Salina. She received the 2025-2026 Gene A. and Gretchen Budig Award for Excellence in Teaching for excellence in teaching, online instruction, and professional advising for MSW students.
Wed, 06/03/2026
Améa Chandler, Jerilyn Smith receive Mignot Award for dedication to BSW student success
Students in the Bachelor of Social Work program selected Améa Chandler, BSW retention coordinator, and Jerilyn Smith, adjunct instructor, for the 2025-2026 Mignot Award.
Wed, 06/03/2026
Audrey Cress receives 2026 Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Audrey Cress, who teaches in the Master of Social Work program, was recognized as a "thoughtful social worker and dynamic presenter leading with integrity."
Wed, 06/03/2026
Cheryl Holmes and Brennan Miller receive Statland Award for Research Leadership
The Statland award recognizes two researchers for their commitment to community-engaged, partnership-driven projects that improve outcomes for communities across Kansas.
Mon, 05/18/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Madisen Kratz
Learn more about graduating Master of Social Work student Madisen Kratz.
Fri, 05/15/2026
Social Welfare professor one of 146 KU faculty members awarded promotion and tenure
Chancellor Douglas A. Girod has approved the promotion and award of tenure, where indicated, for 50 individuals at the University of Kansas Lawrence and Edwards campuses and 96 individuals at the KU Medical Center campuses. Promotion and tenure are effective at the start of the fall 2026 semester.
Wed, 05/13/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Afton Salas
Learn more about graduating Doctor of Social Work student Afton Salas.
Wed, 05/13/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Eva Markoulatos
Learn more about graduating Master of Social Work student Eva Markoulatos.
Wed, 05/13/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Nicole Brown
Learn more about graduating Master of Social Welfare student Nicole Brown
Wed, 05/13/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Nandhini Sachithanandham
Get to know more about graduating Bachelor of Social Welfare student Nandhini Sachithanandham.
Wed, 05/13/2026
Study analyzes environmental impacts of academic conference travel, encourages rethinking alternatives
A study led by a University of Kansas researcher has analyzed the environmental effects of air travel to academic conferences. The study does not call for an end to academic travel but rather to rethink how such gatherings are arranged and held, especially in fields like social welfare, that are dedicated to environmental justice.
Tue, 05/12/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Natalie Ladd
Get to know more about graduating Master of Social Work student Natalie Ladd.
Tue, 05/12/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Yazmin Brown
Get to know more about graduating Master of Social Work student Yazmin Brown.
Tue, 05/12/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Pam Twohill
Get to know more about graduating Doctor of Social Work student Pam Twohill.
Tue, 05/12/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Brian Laird
Get to know more about graduating Bachelor of Social Work student Brian Laird.
Tue, 05/12/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Rana Hamdalla
Get to know more about graduating Master of Social Work student Rana Hamdalla.
Thu, 05/07/2026
2026 One Day One KU raises over $42,800 for School of Social Welfare
Donations from One Day One KU will provide funds to students through scholarships, the Student Emergency Fund, and the Practicum Student Support Fund.
Wed, 05/06/2026
KU announces new 2026-2027 Self Memorial Scholars
Twenty-one students have been selected to receive the University of Kansas Madison and Lila Self Memorial Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year. The award is given to outstanding seniors from KU who will be transitioning into their first year of a master’s or doctoral program at KU in the fall 2026 semester.
Tue, 05/05/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Travis Channell
Get to know more about MSW student Travis Channell as he shares his thoughts ahead of graduation.
Tue, 05/05/2026
Social Welfare assistant professor receives KU International Affairs grant for research and collaboration abroad
From listening to labor advocates in Nigeria to tracking the physics of river mixing in Chile, KU researchers are expanding understanding across borders. KUIA has awarded $75,000 to 35 faculty and students engaged in projects spanning 23 countries.
Tue, 04/28/2026
How KU social work students benefit from practicum education
Students gain real-world experience and receive one-to-one mentoring during their social work practicum placement. Current MSW students share what they've learned in practicum.
Mon, 04/27/2026
MSW Student Spotlight: Brittany Bates
In her practicum at a rural mental health clinic, Bates observes and shadows mental health professionals across individual, group, and family therapy and mobile crisis services. She leads a psychoeducation group on communication while continuing to refine her interpersonal skills as she progresses into her clinical year. She is passionate about supporting underserved populations and improving access to mental health care.
Thu, 04/16/2026
KU researchers enhance training for the Kansas health care workforce to prevent substance use disorders
Researchers in the KU School of Social Welfare have updated training materials that prepare health care providers to prevent, identify and treat substance use disorders across Kansas. SBIRT — Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment — is an evidence-based approach to talking with people about their substance use.
Tue, 04/14/2026
Graduating Student Spotlight: Lily Shine
Lily Shine, who will graduate in May with her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, has made it a life mission to tackle homelessness.
Mon, 04/13/2026
Research finds efforts to end child marriage in Malawi leave out local knowledge, culture
University of Kansas researchers propose viewing the problem through an African feminist lens that would engage culture, local customs and knowledge to address an issue that has persisted despite legal reforms.
Tue, 04/07/2026
KU MSW program ranks No. 22 among public schools in U.S. News & World Report
KU has 55 graduate programs in the top 50 among public universities — including eight in the top 10 — in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings.
Tue, 03/31/2026
Social Welfare assistant professor Claire Willey-Sthapit to receive International Research Award, deliver talk
Claire Willey-Sthapit, assistant professor in KU's School of Social Welfare, will receive the KU International Affairs Advisory Board International Research Award and speak April 29. Her research examines domestic violence policy across the U.S. and Nepal, highlighting community-based responses and challenging global assumptions about prevention and intervention.
Wed, 03/25/2026
Professional writing course helps Social Welfare students enhance evergreen skills
Joe Bush, professional writing consultant and adjunct instructor for the KU School of Social Welfare, is teaching SW 410 this spring. Bush worked with the Bachelor of Social Work curriculum committee to update and modernize the course.
Tue, 03/17/2026
KU Libraries partner with Social Welfare associate professor to launch inaugural David M. Bergeron and Geraldo Sousa Exhibit
In a new exhibition in Kenneth Spencer Research Library at the University of Kansas, historical texts and contemporary artwork sit side by side, inviting intergenerational exploration and new ideas about the universal experience of growing older. An opening reception for “Aging, Art, and Activism: Reimagining Our Aging Futures through Creative Representations and Personal Narratives” will take place March 31.
Thu, 03/12/2026
MSW Spotlight: Aurea Bailey
Aurea Bailey, who will receive her MSW from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare in May, currently lives in St. Robert, Missouri. Her family had to move there abruptly when her husband was relocated, but the nature of the online MSW program through Jayhawk Global kept options open for Bailey.