University of Wisconsin–Madison

Year: 2019

Social Workers Confronting Racial Injustice Conference: Call for Proposals

The UW-Madison School of Social Work invites workshop proposals for the 2020 Social Workers Confronting Racial Injustice Conference: Are You Ready to Answer the Call? to be held on Friday, January 24, 2020. Each year, more than 500 social workers, students, and faculty come together for this one-day event held on the campus of UW-Madison. …

Alumna and Social Work Pioneer Dr. Martha Ozawa Leaves $6.5 Million Estate Gift to the UW-Madison School of Social Work

Social Work Scholarships Get Major Boost Prospective graduate students in the UW-Madison School of Social Work have more opportunities for funding than ever before thanks to a major gift from one of the school’s first PhD graduates. Dr. Martha Ozawa, who received a master’s degree in 1966 and PhD in 1969 from the School of …

Curtis and Colleagues Receive “Contemporary Social Problems Initiative” Grant

Associate Prof. Marah Curtis (co-principal investigator) and colleagues received a “Contemporary Social Problems Initiative” grant to explore the relationship between housing stability during pregnancy and short and intermediate health outcomes of families with infants. The project will investigate possible differences by maternal race and urban and rural residence. The researchers will explore associations between stability …

“I Know I Can Handle This Work Load Because I’ve Seen Her Do It.”

Jason Lee Mother and Daughter Graduating from the School of Social Work in May When your mom works with and advocates for children for so many years, you gain insight into the struggle, passion, and dedication of a social worker. It’s a scene not viewable to everyone, but growing up as the daughter of a …

MSW Student Elizabeth Kunze to Spend Next Year as Fulbright Scholar

The graduating student will work and study in Austria Graduating MSW student Elizabeth Kunze was recently selected as a 2019-20 Fulbright Scholar. She will spend her time as a teaching assistant at a secondary school and pursue research and university courses in Austria. She is currently finishing her advanced year in the Policy and Administration …

Alumni Doing What Social Workers Do: Give Back

Jason Lee School able to increase student scholarships as a result of alumni generosity Social Workers give their time, energy, and talents in service to others. The nature of giving extends to the financial contributions of our alumni and friends who have recently increased their support for students. Stimulated by a generous matching gift from …

Lecturer Publishes Experience of Overcoming Domestic Abuse as Teenager

Alumna (MSW ’05) and long-time lecturer Teresa Thomas published an essay in a new book about her experiences of overcoming domestic violence as a teenager. The chapter, “Don’t Waste Your Life,” provides an intimate view of what domestic violence looked liked for Thomas and her mission now to serve teenagers. The chapter, included in the book, Breakthrough, also deals …

John Elliott Receives School of Social Work Achievement Award

The school recently presented the 2019 School of Social Work Achievement Award to John Elliott, the Deputy Administrator for the Division of Safety and Permanence for the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. The award was part of the “March is Social Work Month” celebration. The Division of Safety and Permanence is responsible for oversight of the child …

Fall Scholarships Awarded

Jason Lee Twenty-six MSW students recently received scholarships from our fall competition. The awards, funded and created by alumni donors and friends of the school, recognize outstanding students in our two MSW programs for their high-quality academic endeavors and dedication to social work. Each scholarship is unique. For example, the Debra Beebe Memorial Scholarship goes to students who demonstrate …

Queering Pregnancy Decisions

Jason Lee PhD student seeks to understand more nuanced family planning and pregnancy decision-making of queer women and non-binary individuals assigned female at birth Emma Carpenter’s work is defined by her passion for family planning, reproductive health, policy – especially health policy – and justice. The fourth-year PhD student is in the midst of a unique study into …