PSU School of Social Work

Today we celebrate Juneteenth! This is a day that challenges us to consider what freedom requires: advocacy, justice, community, and hard work.

As social workers and social work educators, we are called not only to honor this history, but to help shape a future where liberation, dignity, and belonging are realities for everyone.

Join us in celebrating a shared commitment to creating systems where every person can thrive!

It was truly all smiles for the SSW community this weekend! 😁

We could not be any prouder of our amazing graduates! We are also extremely grateful for all of the friends and family who joined us in celebrating! 💚

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered their time to make the ceremony such a spectacular send-off for our students! 🎉

Congratulations to the class of 2026!!! 🎓

Today we are highlighting the work of PhD in Social Work & Social Research student, Dalton Martin, who recently interviewed SSW Assistant Professor, Dr. Shannon Blajeski, for a faculty profile.

"Dr. Shannon Blajeski is a tenure-track Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at Portland State University, where she joined the faculty in Fall 2022. Her scholarship centers on improving psychosocial outcomes for individuals with schizophrenia-spectrum conditions, particularly young adults experiencing early psychosis. Grounded in an anti-poverty and critical social work lens, her work focuses on strengthening evidence-based interventions such as Supported Employment and Education (SEE) and enhancing social work training for practice with serious mental illness."

Continue reading the full story at: https://www.pdx.edu/social-work/news/ssw-faculty-profile-dr-shannon-blajeski

The PhD Program in Social Work and Social Research proudly celebrates the successful completion of doctoral degrees by the following graduates:

Dr. Christy da Rosa — “Beyond Translating Cultures: Organizational Cultural Brokering and Latin@/e/x Community Resilience after the ‘Mobile Home Parks’ Fire" (Dissertation Chair: Dr. William “Ted” Donlan)

Dr. Passion Ilea — "Medicaid Funding and Health-Related Social Needs: A Policy Analysis" (Dissertation Co-chairs: Dr. Thomas Keller and Dr. Jennifer Blakeslee)

Dr. Rekah Strong — "Action-Based Research Intervention Model to Address African American Workplace Experiences" (Dissertation Chair: Dr. Thomas Keller)

We congratulate these scholars on this significant achievement and wish them continued success in their professional and academic endeavors!

Today we are celebrating the amazing achievements of our graduates during the 2026 School of Social Work Commencement Ceremony! We are excited to highlight our two student speakers, Genevieve Serna and Sonia Fernandez Lopez.

Genevieve is a graduating MSW student who takes great pride in the fact that her roots are in California’s San Joaquin Valley, and in being a first-generation college student who comes from a large family of Mexican immigrants. Her lived experiences have deeply shaped the values she brings to both her life and social work practice.

Sonia is a first-generation Mexican American and the second oldest among her siblings. She values the experiences, sacrifices, and resilience of her family and community, which she indicated is what drove her to be in social work.

Learn more about our wonderful student speakers at: https://www.pdx.edu/social-work/news/ssw-commencement-student-speakers-2026

Michael C. Alexander, a distinguished Portland community leader, executive, and advocate, will receive an honorary doctoral degree nominated by PSU’s School of Social Work. He will also be the School’s keynote speaker for the June 13th Commencement at the Viking Pavilion.

Michael’s decades-long career has been defined by a commitment to social justice, healthcare equity, and visionary regional development. Holding a master’s degree in social work from Bryn Mawr, Michael uniquely applies the core values of his social work education to corporate, non-profit, and civic leadership. As the former President and CEO of the Urban League of Portland, he led a substantial revitalization of the organization’s community partnerships and strengthened its mission to advancing equity and empowerment for the African American community. His extensive executive background also includes senior roles at Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon and the Aetna Foundation, where he directed philanthropic initiatives to eliminate healthcare disparities…

Continue reading the full story at: https://www.pdx.edu/social-work/news/ssw-honorary-doctoral-degree-recipient-michael-c-alexander

Dr. Staci B. Martin and co-researcher Vestine L. Umubyeyi have published a new article in Cultural and Pedagogical Inquiry (Vol. 17, No. 1, 2025). This work appears in a Special Issue that documents global displacement stories highlighted by the UNHCR.

The research demonstrates that rural resettlement fosters mutually beneficial relationships as it stimulates local economies and enhances diversity, while smaller communities co-create a vital "place and space" for belonging and healing from multi-generational trauma. Ultimately, this collaborative approach strengthens shared knowledge, contextualizes systemic obstacles, and brings hopeful, long-term solutions to significant issues.

Access the full article by visiting: https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/cpi/index.php/cpi/article/view/29821

This Pride Month, we celebrate the resilience, leadership, and contributions of LGBTQIA+ communities. As social workers, we are committed to advancing dignity, equity, self-determination, and belonging for all people.

Pride is both a celebration and a call to action—an opportunity to continue advocating for inclusive policies, affirming practices, and communities where everyone can thrive!

Happy Pride Month!!! 🌈

We are deeply saddened to share that MSW alum (c/o 2019) and social work Practicum Instructor, Cayle Tern, passed away on May 7th.

Cayle supported our social work students placed at APANO, where he served as the Civic Engagement Manager. He was also a Reynolds School District board member, president of the Iu Mien Association of Oregon, and was on Pacific Islander and Asian Family Center (PIAFC) Advisory Board.

We are grateful for his mentorship to our students and the dedication to the profession. Please share APANO's message below to those who knew him. We are sending our deepest sympathy and love to his wife and family.

You can help support Cayle's family by providing donations. Contributions may be sent to Cayle’s sister‑in‑law, Cheng Champ, who will use the funds for funeral and memorial arrangements. Any remaining support will be given to Cayle’s children.

Please indicate: “For Cayle Tern”
Zelle: [email protected]
Venmo & PayPal: (Cheng Champ)

With deep heartbrokenness and shock, we are sad to share that Dr. Melanie Sage, a PhD alum (c/o 2010), passed away on Friday, May 15th.

Dr. Sage recently hosted a workshop, "The Balancing Act: Teaching and Learning with AI from a Place of Integrity," earlier in the month. Dr. Alma Trinidad, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, encouraged her to take pictures, as it's been a long while since she visited PSU SSW. We are thankful that she was able to share her wisdom with us! We will miss a strong social work leader, educator, scholar, and researcher.

Please share the following stories with those who knew her:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-dr-melanie-sage
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/national-association-of-social-workers_the-national-association-of-social-workers-activity-7462507200004001792-Xni6
https://socialwork.utexas.edu/remembering-dr-melanie-sage-lcsw/

We are sending our deepest sympathy and love to her husband, Todd, and family.