Alabama State University Department of Social Work

As a new semester gets underway, we’re celebrating the accomplishments of our social work alumni. Today, we spotlight Ms. Tashara Peoples, who recently obtained her LMSW licensure! Tashara is a 2025 graduate of our Bachelor of Social Work program and a 2026 Master of Social Work graduate.

Tashara’s educational journey reflects the continued growth and learning that are at the heart of the social work profession. As a Case Manager at Brantwood Children’s Home, she serves youth ages 12–16, supporting their educational, medical, mental health, and emotional well-being. Through individualized care and collaboration with families, schools, DHR workers, and other service providers, she helps youth build skills, navigate challenges, and work toward greater independence.

Tashara’s accomplishments are a reminder of where dedication, education, and a commitment to serving others can lead. We are proud to celebrate her achievement as a newly licensed professional and the positive impact she is making in the field of social work.

The Fall Semester is officially underway, and we're excited to welcome our returning and incoming Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) students back to campus!

The semester kicked off last week with the annual ASU Faculty and Staff Institute, bringing everyone together to reconnect, and prepare for another year of learning, leadership, service, and community. Now, we’re pleased to welcome our students and continue that momentum.

Whether you’re beginning your social work journey or you're well on your way toward your degree, we’re glad you’re here.

Social Work Orientation will be held this Wednesday, August 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the 1st Floor Student Lounge of Abernathy Hall. It is mandatory for all Social Work Students. Please make plans to attend as we share important information to support your success this semester.

Again, welcome back! We're excited for what lies ahead and look forward to new opportunities, and a shared commitment to the profession of social work.

As we wrap up an incredible summer semester, we celebrate the growth, service, and impact of the Alabama State University Department of Social Work!

Our faculty traveled internationally to strengthen partnerships and bring new perspectives back to our classrooms. Also this summer, students gained valuable hands-on experience through internships, community engagement, and summer employment, putting social work values into action.

The Foodways Garden, established during the spring semester continued to thrive. It provided young scholars with hands-on learning opportunities to explore community empowerment, food insecurity, trauma-informed care, and sustainable development. While they were away, it flourished under the care of Social Work faculty, Garden Center staff, and volunteers.

Back on campus, our faculty remained dedicated to educating and mentoring the next generation of social workers through engaging instruction and learning experiences. We were also pleased to welcome our newest adjunct instructor, Dr. Shakita Brooks Jones, to Hornet Nation! Her expertise, passion, and commitment to the social work profession will be a valuable addition that enriches our program and strengthens our mission of preparing students for impactful careers in service to others.

Thank you to our faculty, students, alumni, community partners, and supporters for making this season a success. We look forward to another semester of learning, leadership, and service.

In the meantime, have a wonderful rest of the summer, and we'll see you soon!

Dr. Denise Davis-Maye, Dr. Ashley Cochran and Ms. Kai Mumpfield are wrapping up an incredible journey to Nairobi, Kenya, where they represented Alabama State University while expanding opportunities for global collaboration and engagement.

This visit strengthened partnerships with United States International University-Africa (USIU) and Maasai Mara University, creating new pathways for academic exchange, research, and collaboration that will broaden the footprint of ASU and our Department of Social Work.

As they conclude their travels, we extend our sincere gratitude to the alumni, community members, and students whose generous donations of supplies made a meaningful impact. The team had the privilege of sharing these items with several agencies in Kenya, demonstrating the spirit of service and global citizenship that defines the Hornet family.

Thank you to everyone who supported this important initiative. Together, we continue to build bridges, strengthen communities, and make a difference locally and around the world.

For generations of Hornets, Beverly Hall has been more than a building, it represents a legacy of perseverance, leadership, and opportunity.

Many alumni walked its halls, creating memories and preparing to make a difference in their communities. Today, as the Department of Social Work prepares to return to this historic space, we have the chance to ensure future students experience that same sense of purpose and possibility.

Named in honor of John W. Beverly, Alabama State University's first Black president, and remembered in connection to the broader civil rights era unfolding in Montgomery, including the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Beverly Hall reflects the courage and determination that continue to define the ASU community.

Now it's our turn to invest in the next generation.

Join the MSW Community Advisory Board's Paint with a Purpose fundraiser and help create opportunities that empower current and future social work students to learn, lead, and serve. Together, we can honor our legacy while building an even brighter future.

Like and share, then purchase your copy here:
https://ahmazingpaintparties.com/take-home-kits/ols/products/asu-social-work-fundraiser?fbclid=IwY2xjawSwxchleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFGVHlHM0pxNklNZjZHbzVWc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHq9gREBDxhGZ3SAurWVsRM4aQOfEHYfM3vlwyg1ETEiohl3S96TfC_lJZxvD_aem_HK3n0BvI6SvJPtQnTJiPPw

ASU Social Work Fundraiser Alabama State University Social Work Department Fundraiser Ahmazing Take Home Kit!Let's get creative!Grab your kit and help them reach their goal! A portion of every kit sold goes directly toward supporting ASU’ Social Work program. Each kit includes: -16 x 20 Pre-sketched canvas -Paint(assorted c...

What are our Social Work students and graduates up to this summer? They're turning classroom learning into meaningful service.

Meet Jonathan Gardner, a rising junior, and Janai Thompson, a Spring 2026 BSW graduate, who are spending their summer serving as camp counselors with the Alabama Children's Aid Society. Through the organization's camps for foster youth, they're helping create a safe, fun, and enriching environment where children can enjoy activities like zip lining, swimming, archery, horseback riding, and so much more.

Jonathan and Janai's service is a testament to the heart of social work, meeting people where they are, building meaningful connections, and creating opportunities for children to experience joy, belonging, and confidence.

We're proud of the many ways our students and graduates are putting their knowledge and compassion into action this summer. To all of our students, we hope you're enjoying a well-deserved break. And to our recent graduates as you begin your professional journeys, congratulations! We can't wait to see the impact you'll make!