Alumni News

MMSD Board of Education Renames School to Ada Deer Elementary

The Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education approved renaming Conrad A. Elvehjem Elementary School after SRSSW alumna Ada Deer ’56. Ada Deer, who died in 2023, was a Menominee leader, tribal…

“I Was Fortunate to Spend Time with Gloria Steinem on a Number of Occasions,” says Maureen Pelton, MSW ‘86

One of Maureen Pelton’s, MSSW ‘86, lifelong commitments has been her leadership and work to empower women. Following Gloria Steinem’s recent passing, Maureen shared her memories (some quite recent) of meeting and working with Gloria Steinem. “I was fortunate to spend time…

Student Change Agent Project To Be Used by County Agencies

Each year students engage in “Change Agent Projects” designed to develop their skills in mezzo and macro practice. They collaborate with their agency and community partners to identify a concern and work to…

Julie Ahnen, MSW ’84, Receives Wisconsin Women in Government Legacy Award

Wisconsin Women in Government (WWIG), a statewide, bipartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating and supporting women who serve the public in government at all levels, recognized the many contributions to public service…

Jerry Brandell, MSSW ’77 Receives Clinical Social Work Award

Jerry Brandell, MSSW ’77, (also PhD, University of Chicago), recently received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work. The award recognizes his “contributions to clinical social work and psychoanalysis” and was presented at its 2025 Biennial…

A Career of Compassion: Sandy Budd, MSSW’83 Ends 33 Years Serving Holocaust Survivors

During her 33 years working with Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh, Sandy Budd served many individuals and families. Many of her most poignant memories are of the Holocaust survivors she…

Alum and Former Faculty Member Stephen Webster, PhD/ MSSW Receives Prestigious Award

After receiving his PhD/MSSW from Social Work and MA from the La Follette School of Public Affairs, Steve Webster taught at the School of Social Work in the 1970s and 1980s. He…

Lissa Merkel, MSW ’14, Draws on Her Experience to Help Others

Lissa Merkel, MSW ’14, a former student in our Mental Health Focus Area, and now a licensed clinical social worker in Los Angeles California, has faced major health challenges during her life.…

Brooke Barcena, MSW ‘19, Continues Work from Field Education to Assist Victims

Social workers step in when individuals need help or communities face gaps – offering support, advocacy, care, and thoughtful planning. That includes Brooke Barcena, who, as a second-year MSW student in 2019,…

Marcy Bradley, MSW ’93 Brings “Joy in Diversity” to the School of Social Work

Alum Marcy Bradley, who served on our Board of Visitors, has been a generous supporter of the school for many years. Much of her support is targeted at diversity and social justice.…

Sara Knueve, MSW ’03, Appointed Deputy Assistant State Superintendent of Academics at Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

State Superintendent of Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Dr. Jill Underly, appointed School alum Sara Knueve to the role of Assistant Deputy State Superintendent of Academics in March 2025. Prior to…