Category: Alumni and Friends

The promise of psychedelic medicines to improve treatment options for people suffering from various mental health-related issues has flourished in recent years. A surge of research trials, clinical testing, and publications indicate that there is reason for cautious optimism in using psychedelics, such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine to treat depression, trauma-related disorders, substance use …

Although Jeff Hamm was admitted to the School of Social Work’s MSW program in the early1980’s, “life had other plans.” He never started the program and eventually had a distinguished career as Assistant and then Associate Dean for Student Academic Affairs at UW-Madison’s School of Education. “It was tremendously satisfying work – helping students achieve …

Chi-Fang Wu, PhD ’04, a professor and PhD program director at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, was presented with an award at the GADE (Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work) reception on Saturday at the SSWR conference.  She received the Donna Harrington Faculty Award for Excellence in Mentoring of Social Work Doctoral …

When Anne Medeiros took her first trip to Uganda in 2007, her experience of the country and its culture was profound. The wildlife and beauty coupled with the warmth and friendliness of the people she met made a lasting impression on her. Anne’s in-laws had lived in Africa for years, and with their guidance, she …

Congratulations to Yolanda Shelton-Morris, MSW ‘16 and Daniel Kigeya, MSW ‘07 who were named to the Madison365 list of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Black Leaders.  Yolanda is a Long-Term Lecturer for the school, a community resources manager for the City of Madison, and owner of Divine Design & Organization. Daniel is principal of Madison West High …

Congratulations to Alexandra “Alex” Garcia, MSW ’10, recipient of the 2025 School Social Worker of the Year Award from the Wisconsin School Social Workers Association (WSSWA). Alex, who works at DeForest Area High School, was nominated for this honor by two assistant principals. They highlighted her exceptional work with students, staff, and families, as well …

Today, we are profiling one of our alumni, Caroline Gómez-Tom, BSW ‘10, MSW ‘11. Caroline Gómez-Tom (she/her) graduated with a MSW with an emphasis in social policy, and now is the Enrollment Network and Accessibility Manager for Covering Wisconsin. She is tasked to prepare community partners who will assist the 1.6 million people who have …

The Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work Board of Visitors selected Tanya Atkinson, MSW ‘97 as the 2025 recipient of our Distinguished Alumni Award at their meeting in October. Tanya Atkinson is the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI), Wisconsin’s largest nonprofit reproductive health care provider. PPWI was established in 1935, and …

Today we are profiling one of our alumni, Luke Muetner, MSW ‘20, PhD ‘21. Luke Muetner is a Justice Researcher in RTI’s Corrections and Reentry Research Program. His research focuses on correctional programming, reentry support, and interventions, with a particular emphasis on parental incarceration and family well-being. Skilled in both quantitative and qualitative methods, he …

Today we are profiling one of our alumni, Marissa Abbott, PhD ‘21. Marissa Abbott is a Social Science Analyst at the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) for the US Department of Health and Human Services. She supports the child welfare and family well-being portfolios. Her dissertation for her PhD was …