Wurzweiler School of Social Work

10/02/2026

The WSSW Lunch & Learn Series, a casual professional development series where students can learn from faculty, alumni, and experts on timely topics in social work practice, began its Fall semester series on 9/17/2026 with a presentation on Su***de Prevention led by Dr. Chaim Nissel, MS, PsyD, Vice President & Graduate Dean of Students at Yeshiva University.

Dr. Nissel emphasized the important role we can all play in recognizing and responding to someone who may be struggling, reminding participants that “Su***de prevention is everyone’s responsibility” and “Asking about su***de saves lives.”

Students reflected on the value of the conversation and had this to say:

“This session was super informative and is very relevant to practice and even everyday life.” - Rivka Sloshay, MSW

“As a future mental health practitioner, sessions like this give me confidence that I'll be able to handle situations like suicidality with competence and sensitivity.” - Miriam Orr, WSSW MSW Intern

Thank you to Dr. Nissel for leading this important conversation and to our students for engaging in a discussion that strengthens awareness, preparedness, and compassionate practice.

A special thank you to Mindy Finkelstein for her dedication and help in organizing these events.

***dePrevention

09/30/2026

09/18/2026

Congratulations to Herschel Knapp, PhD, MSSW, on the publication of Full-Time Practicum Placements Outperform Part-Time, co-authored with Siyon Rhee, PhD, MSW; Hermila Melero, LCSW; and Colleen Friend, PhD, LCSW.

Published in the Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, the study explores how the structure of practicum education can influence student learning and professional development. Comparing an intensive 10-week, full-time summer practicum with a traditional two-semester, part-time placement, the research found that students in the intensive program significantly outperformed their peers across all nine professional competencies.

The findings offer important insights into how alternative practicum models may support student success, timely graduation, and preparation for the social work workforce.

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/4hxHvkq

09/16/2026

Recognizing when someone may be struggling can be the first step toward connecting them with the support they need. 💙

Knowledge is power, take a moment to learn the warning signs of su***de and how you can respond, because knowing what to look for can make a difference.

Learn the signs. Share the knowledge. Help someone find support.

Read more from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/warning-signs-of-su***de

***dePreventionMonth

09/14/2026

📢 Upcoming Continuing Education Webinar!

Understanding Autism: Best Practice Interventions to Support the Autistic Community

🗓 Friday, September 18, 2026
⏰ 10:00am – 12:00pm (Eastern Time)
💻 Live on Zoom | 2 CEU Credit Hours

What you'll learn:

A deeper understanding of neurodiversity, autism diagnosis and evidence informed interventions that support autistic individuals across diverse settings.

🔗 Register today: https://bit.ly/4gRLnN1

09/11/2026

🎓 WSSW Gerontology and Palliative Care Fellows Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to Rivky Blumenfeld, Krystal Dewer, Jonathan Weiner, Alexandra St-Andre, and Sarah Berkowitz, the Fall 2026 recipients of the Wurzweiler Gerontology and Palliative Care Fellows Scholarship!

This $5,000 scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to gerontology, palliative care, and serious illness care, as well as a passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of older adults, individuals living with serious illness, and their families.

We are proud to celebrate these outstanding students and their dedication to building a future of compassionate, skilled, and person-centered care. Congratulations to all of our scholarship recipients on this well-deserved achievement!

09/10/2026

Wurzweiler School of Social Work wishes our students and faculty a wonderful first week and a fantastic semester ahead!

09/04/2026

Dr. Joyce Roberson-Steele and Dr. Laurie Blackman, presented at the 2026 NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals Annual Conference, held from August 28-31 in Kansas City, MO. Their presentation was titled: The Role of Spirituality in Recovery from Substance Use: A Focused Look at Older African Americans.

About the Topic:

Older African Americans (OAA) who use substances face unique challenges related to substance use. Many tend to underutilize mental health services, often finding solace in spirituality, serving as a powerful source of healing, protection, and connection amid life's difficulties. There is limited research on the role of spirituality in recovery for OAA, as the aging process seems to heighten their need to make amends. This research focused on spiritual practices, self-reflection, and the desire for reconciliation. When unable to heal broken relationships, some turned to spirituality in their quest for forgiveness.

Congratulations to Dr. Roberson-Steele and Dr. Blackman on contributing to important conversations around substance use, recovery, spirituality, and aging.

09/02/2026

As we say goodbye to summer, take a moment to appreciate the memories that made the season special. And as you move forward, carry that gratitude with you into the season ahead.

What’s one summer memory you’ll carry with you into the fall?