Indiana University School of Social Work

Our BSW Welcome Event at the IU-I campus brought students together to meet faculty, explore campus resources, and connect with classmates. New students also had the opportunity to hear from a panel of senior BSW students, who shared their experiences, offered advice, and answered questions about navigating the program.

We’re also grateful to our campus partners from the Library, CAPS, the Office of the Dean, Health and Wellness Promotion, and AES for spending time with our students. Thank you for sharing your expertise, answering questions, and helping our future social workers learn about the many resources available to support them throughout their academic journey.

Whether it's finding support, building relationships, or discovering new opportunities, we're proud to help students feel at home from day one.

Welcome back, future social workers. We can't wait to see where this year takes you 🚀

This week, we're sending extra love to our friends in Northwest Indiana who were recently impacted by the severe weather.

As a statewide school, we're thinking of all the individuals, families, and communities across Indiana who are navigating the effects of these storms. We're especially holding our IU School of Social Work Northwest students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners close as recovery efforts continue.

Take care of yourselves, check in on your neighbors, and know that the IU School of Social Work community is with you.

What does career impact look like?

For the IU School of Social Work's Indianapolis Career Services team, it looks like a student making a new professional connection. It looks like an alum earning CEUs to maintain licensure. It looks like community organizations finding future employees and collaborators.

Every event, workshop, information session, and networking opportunity helped strengthen the social work workforce and create meaningful connections across Indiana.

Thank you to the students, alumni, practitioners, faculty, staff, and community partners who were part of this incredible year. Together, we're building stronger communities through social work.

When your education fits your life, anything is possible.

MSW student Izamar Lule chose the IU School of Social Work because she wanted a program close to home with the flexibility to work around her schedule.

Today, she's preparing to use her social work education to help people facing mental health challenges and create communities where everyone feels supported, appreciated, and cared for. From flexible pathways to a statewide network of campuses, the IU School of Social Work helps students pursue their goals without putting life on hold.

Help us celebrate Iza in the comments! 👏

We're proud to celebrate IU School of Social Work alumna Julia Shapiro, MSW'16, who was recently featured in GreatNews.Life's A Michiana Life in the Spotlight series.

As the owner of Shapiro Consulting LLC, Julia combines her background in social work, criminal justice, and legal document preparation to help individuals navigate life's challenges and overcome barriers to a fresh start. Her work is rooted in a long-standing commitment to serving others and expanding access to resources for those who need them most.

Read Julia's story at https://go.iu.edu/eY6M7u and help us congratulate her on this recognition.

When IU School of Social Work alumni make a difference in their communities, we love to celebrate it.

Sarah Cheek, MSW'19, was recently featured by GreatNews.Life for her work as a licensed clinical social worker and behavioral therapist at NorthShore Health Centers. Through trauma-informed care, substance use treatment, and recovery groups for incarcerated women, Sarah is helping individuals find healing, hope, and a path forward.

Read Sarah's story https://go.iu.edu/gkUA2t and join us in congratulating her on this well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations to Michael Ross, Bachelor of Social Work Program Director
and Assistant Clinical Professor, on successfully defending his dissertation!

This significant milestone reflects years of scholarship, dedication, and hard work. Please join us in celebrating this accomplishment and wishing Michael continued success.

Long before graduation, IU Social Work students are already doing the work.

During the 2025-26 academic year, students completed 466,250 practicum hours in communities across Indiana and beyond. From schools and hospitals to nonprofits and government agencies, practicum is where future social workers turn learning into experience.

What happens when social work and libraries come together?

Check out this WFIU story featuring IU School of Social Work students who are helping library staff connect patrons with community resources while gaining meaningful real-world experience through their internship. It's a great example of how social workers make an impact in all kinds of community settings.

Read more go.iu.edu/py48zX/

What happens when classroom learning meets real-world experience?

This Indiana Intern Day, we're highlighting the impact of work-based learning through the story of MSW student Eva Jones. Through her practicum experience with IU School of Social Work Career Services, Eva strengthened her professional skills, contributed to grant-writing projects, supported youth-focused initiatives, and gained valuable insight into her future career path.

Experiences like these help students build confidence, develop career-ready skills, and prepare to make a difference in the communities they serve.

Read Eva's full story: https://go.iu.edu/XSU3fw