University of Tennessee College of Social Work

Ready to advance your social work career on your terms? Our Extended Study MSSW Program is built for busy professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing quality!
‼️Applications due June 30

🔸No GRE Requirement
🔸Part-time options
🔸Knoxville, Nashville or Online campuses

Take the next step: tiny.utk.edu/extendmssw

Join us next week for this Continuing Education program!
📆 Wednesday, June 24 ⏰ 10amET 💻 Live Webinar
Topic: Clinician Self-Care and Intuitive Practices in Continually Unprecedented Times

🔗 To Register: tiny.utk.edu/perkins

Congratulations to Dr. Fei Wang on her solo-authored publication! Supported by the UTCSW Scholars Research Grant, this community-engaged study examines sleep health among African American caregivers of persons living with dementia.

Findings show that caregiving demands are associated with greater sleep disturbance. These associations were stronger among caregivers with higher resilience — suggesting that resilience, while valuable, may sometimes increase self-reliance, reduce use of support networks, and ultimately heighten vulnerability to sleep problems as demands grow. These findings underscore the need for culturally responsive social work practices that address both caregiving stress and the complex role resilience plays within the African American community.

Read the article here:
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/26408066.2026.2683581

We’re thrilled to celebrate our UTCSW grad students who represented social work at UTK’s Community Engagement Academy (CEA).

They explored the foundations of community engagement and engaged scholarship, learning how to turn research into real-world impact for local communities. From connecting with local partners to uncovering Knoxville’s rich history, these scholars are building bridges and making a difference!

🍊Ready to take the next step in your social work journey? Here are some key application dates you need to know for Fall 2026 and beyond!
🔗 Swipe for details and visit csw.utk.edu for all the info on our programs

These lucky UTCSW students just returned from an amazing summer study abroad session in Ireland! 🇮🇪

Led by Drs. Buzard and Lucio, the program offered an immersive academic experience that focused on exploring how a country's roots and revolutions impact social needs. At the conclusion of the course, the students present a comparative analysis of social systems in the United States and Ireland.

Highlights included visits to Coolmine Therapeutic Community, Tiglin, Merchants Quay Ireland and the Social Work and Social Care department at Technological University of the Shannon in the cities of Dublin, Limerick, and Galway.

Check out UTK Division of Global Engagement and UTK Programs Abroad for more info on

Join us in congratulating PhD student Matthew Knight on his Spring 2026 Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA)! The GSRA supports research, scholarship, and creative activities of grad students at UTK. Great job, Matthew!
UT Graduate School

✨ Alumni Spotlight: Linda Garza (MSSW '91) and Marcos Garza (MSSW '98, JD '01)

We’re proud to celebrate the incredible impact of UT College of Social Work alumni, mother-son duo Linda and Marcos Garza! They embody the heart of social work: compassion, action, and hope.

Linda’s journey is a testament to the power of embracing new opportunities. Marcos uses his social work skills to empower clients and advocate for justice.

Linda says: “There are so many career options with an MSSW. I always encourage people to take
every occasion to network with agencies, organizations, and professionals in related fields, knowing it can help guide them through all the choices of future careers and goals. I am the perfect example of ‘you just never know where the path may lead you.’”

Read more about their inspiring journey and join us in celebrating two of our amazing UTCSW alumni!
https://csw.utk.edu/annual-report-2025/from-crisis-calls-to-community-leaders-the-inspiring-journey-of-linda-and-marcos-garza/

We’re excited to share how the UT College of Social Work is helping launch the new Resources for Senior and Vulnerable Persons (RSVP) Program in Oak Ridge, TN. This partnership connects older adults with vital resources, social support, and community services through trained volunteers and community partnerships.

Developed with leadership from Dr. Lizzie Bowland (UTCSW Associate Professor) and graduate student Alana Thompson, RSVP is making a real difference with a 20-hour volunteer training curriculum. Volunteers are taught to provide wellness visits, resource referrals, companionship, and early identification of concerns like isolation, mental health needs, and safety.

As Dr. Bowland explains: “The Oak Ridge Police Department noticed there were a lot of people that weren’t getting services and weren’t connected with the right kinds of services. They wanted to start a volunteer program in Oak Ridge, and they wanted to train volunteers to support older and vulnerable adults.”

“We were able to partner with key stakeholders in the Oak Ridge community,” Thompson said. “The goal was really organizing the resources and helping volunteers identify needs, so people weren’t falling through the cracks.”

Learn more about the RSVP Program and how it’s transforming lives: https://csw.utk.edu/news/new-volunteer-outreach-program-aims-to-reduce-isolation-among-older-adults/