UConn School of Social Work

UConn School of Social Work and UConn Hartford undergraduate students now have the opportunity to live in downtown Hartford at the new Pratt Street Residence Hall.

With four floors and a central atrium, the apartment-style living space includes student-centric spots including classrooms, lounges, a fitness area, and gathering space in central atrium.

“This investment in our students is also an investment in Hartford’s future," says President Radenka Maric. "Together we are helping to create a more vibrant, dynamic downtown where students can live, learn, and contribute to the city’s growth."

Read more in UConn Today:

Community Excitement, Full Occupancy Mark Opening of Hartford Student Housing - UConn Today 'UConn is Hartford, and Hartford is UConn'

SOCIAL WORKERS ARE IN DEMAND! According to a recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, employment opportunities for social workers are projected to GROW FASTER than average across the next decade! About 74,000 openings for social workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Mental health and substance use social workers are projected to increase 10% nationally!

Learn more about social work career outcomes and read about UConn School of Social Work, alumni here: https://socialwork.uconn.edu/social-work-career-outcomes/

Register for an upcoming School of Social Work info session here: https://connect.grad.uconn.edu/portal/msw_infosessions

In a recent conversation with UConn Today, UConn School of Social Work and UConn Gladstein Family Human Rights Institute Professor Kathryn Libal reflects on the evolving role of human rights education, the importance of fostering meaningful community connections, and why universities have a critical role to play in preparing students to meet today’s challenges.

Read more: https://today.uconn.edu/2026/07/connectedness-and-responsibility-outgoing-institute-director-weighs-in-on-the-current-significance-of-human-rights-education/

📚✨ Meet 2026 Library of Congress Junior Fellow Mia Giancola ’27 (SSW)! This summer, Mia is contributing to the 📖 Library of Congress Digital Accessibility Team through a "Year of Magnification" project. 🔎🔎 She created an interactive game that helps demonstrate how screen magnification impacts the way people access digital content, including library resources and collections. 💻♿🔎

"I love teaching others about accessibility. It is great to see learners get engaged, inspired, and spark dialogue," Mia says.

🔗 Read the full Q&A: https://blogs.loc.gov/thesignal/2026/07/advocating-for-digital-accessibility-an-interview-with-junior-fellow-mia-giancola/

Are you a social worker who supervises social services staff? The ’s Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development is now accepting applications for the next Social Work Practice Fellows (SWPF) Certificate Program in Supervision!

This premier 36-hour certificate program, which begins Oct. 2, features an advanced curriculum with a focus on some of the most complex issues that challenge supervisors. The virtual modules are taught by experienced, practice-based instructors.

Participants must have an MSW degree and supervise staff. Enrollment is limited to 25.

Learn more at: https://socialwork.uconn.edu/ssw-continuing-education/
Apply now! : s.uconn.edu/practicefellows

🎓🌟 Did you know students in our BSW and MSW programs are required to complete practicum education experiences (internships) as part of their degree requirements?

Through these hands-on placements, students apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world social work practice while being guided by dedicated practicum instructors who mentor the next generation of professionals. 🤝💙

🏢 UConn School of Social Work is currently seeking host agencies and practicum instructors to partner with us in preparing future social workers.

✨ Give back to the profession.
✨ Share your expertise.
✨ Help shape tomorrow's social work leaders.

Interested in becoming a host agency and/or practicum instructor? Please complete the interest form: https://s.uconn.edu/practicumhost

📧 Questions? Email [email protected] for more information.

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Attention incoming MSW students! Are you interested in helping the underserved in urban and rural communities? Consider applying for the Social Work Urban Service Track (UST)/ Connecticut Area Health Education Center Scholars Program!

Now in its 20th year, this innovative enrichment opportunity is part of national movement funded by the U.S. Bureau of Health Professions. Scholars receive didactic, experiential, and longitudinal training focused on the medical management of the underserved.

UConn School of Social Work students participating in UST can earn elective credit for an Independent Study connected to the work completed with the UST program. For more information, visit https://health.uconn.edu/connecticut-area-health-education-center-network/urban-services-track-and-ahec-scholars/

Learn more: https://health.uconn.edu/connecticut-area-health-education-center-network/urban-services-track-and-ahec-scholars/

Apply: https://ctahec.wufoo.com/forms/social-work-2627-ustahec-scholars-program/

Applications are currently being accepted, with a deadline of Aug. 10. E-mail Rachel Schwartz, [email protected], for more information or for a deadline extension.

New research co-authored by UConn School of Social Work Associate Professor Nathanael J. Okpych highlights the importance of campus support programs for students who have experienced foster care, homelessness, or other circumstances that make them independent as they pursue higher education.

The study, published in and Adolescent Social Work Journal, found that students who participated in a campus support program earned significantly higher first-year GPAs than eligible students who did not participate, suggesting these programs can play an important role in promoting academic success. The research also found that fewer than one in five eligible students accessed these services, underscoring the need for stronger outreach and engagement.

📖 Read the study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10560-026-01147-w

A new study, led by Samantha Lawrence, assistant research professor at UConn School of Social Work finds that 53% of Connecticut parents say childcare is too expensive and 30% are actively searching for childcare.

“Finding affordable, reliable childcare remains one of the biggest challenges facing Connecticut families,” said Dr. Lawrence, principal investigator of the 2025 Connecticut Parent/Caregiver Survey study. “Parents and caregivers are the experts on what it takes to make childcare work in their daily lives. This survey brings thousands of those experiences into view, helping us see both the challenges families face statewide and the important differences from town to town and family to family.”

Lawrence shared her findings at a press conference, held July 22 at the School of Social Work. Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon, Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, State Treasurer Erick Russell and Office of Early Childhood Commissioner Elena Trueworthy also spoke at the press briefing.

Learn more about the survey and findings in this UConn Today article: https://today.uconn.edu/2026/07/2025connecticut_parent_caregiver_survey/

New UConn Survey Finds 53% of Connecticut Parents Say Childcare is Too Expensive - UConn Today Statewide survey conducted by UConn and the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood provides an updated benchmark for tracking childcare access and affordability

The UConn School of Social Work proudly celebrates six doctoral candidates who successfully defended their dissertations in 2026. Their research addresses some of today's most pressing social issues—from food insecurity, refugee rights, and substance use treatment to religious trauma, early intervention services, and the experiences of women serving in the military.

They include:

🎓 Dr. Cindy Dubuque-Gallo, “The Disparate Impact of Devolution on a Child Food Insecurity Program: A Policy Analysis of the Community Eligibility Provision”

🎓 Dr. Grace Felten, “Beyond the State: Informal Humanitarianism, Refugee Rights, and Grassroots Protection in Greece and the United States”

🎓 Dr. Elizabeth J. Goldsborough, "Exploring To***co Treatment in Substance Use Care: Provider and Organizational Factors"

🎓 Dr. Leah Holle, “A Mixed-Methods Study Investigating the Intersection of Religious Trauma and Disordered Eating in Women and Gender Diverse Individuals”

🎓 Dr. Emily Longo, “Bridging the Gap Between Education and Social Work: Barriers to IDEA Part C Early Intervention Service Access and Utilization for Adoptive Families”

🎓 Dr. Teresa Works, “All Eyes on Me…” The Experience of Female Officers in the Military”

We also extend our appreciation to their faculty advisors—Kathy Libal, Michael Fendrich, Cristina Wilson, and Scott Harding—for their mentorship and guidance throughout each scholar's doctoral journey.

🎉 Congratulations to our graduates on this outstanding achievement, and best wishes as they continue to advance research, practice, and social justice in their careers!