Providence College Department of Social Work

Dr. Driessen is a recipient of the Marian & Jasper Whiting Fellowship and is currently traveling throughout Norway, Denmark, and Sweden to learn more about the Nordic social welfare model.

As part of her fellowship, she recently visited the University of Inland Norway – Department of Social Work and Health Sciences, where she had the opportunity to present her research and connect with fellow social work scholars.

We’re so proud of Dr. Driessen and excited to hear more about the incredible collaborations happening on the international stage! 🌎👏

Read the article the University of Inland Norway wrote about Dr. Driessen's visit.
https://www.inn.no/om-universitetet/fakultet-for-helse-og-sosialvitenskap/institutt-for-sosialvitenskap-og-veiledning/aktuelt-fra-isv/besok-molly-driessen/index.html

The International Institute of New England was pleased to host Dr. Hasson for the first book talk on his new publication, "Unaccompanied Children in America: A Reference Handbook."

The book is available from Bloomsbury Publishing and Amazon.

SWK's own Dr. Jordyn Hagar presented at the 25th Annual CADCA Mid-Year Training Institute in Orlando, Florida. Her presentation highlighted her research and expertise in the field of mental health.

Check out the website: https://strongertogethermh.com/

We had the pleasure of meeting another new Social Work major from the Class of 2030, Anais Gonzalez Almanzar!!!!

We can't wait to welcome you back to campus this fall!

🎉

SWK major, Bianca Rego ‘28, received the Summer 2026 Global Smith Fellowship to Buenos Aires, Argentina, this summer! For over a month now, she has been playing a new role at Colegio Elmina Paz de Gallo, as the first PC Smith Fellow to serve with the Dominican sisters in Buenos Aires. In this school placement, she has contributed to English coordination at every grade level, from Primary to Secondary, through planned lessons and presentations, as well as interactive activities in the classroom. Outside of the classroom, Bianca has shown up for her students in a variety of ways, whether this be attending holiday celebrations with primary students, helping lead pastoral groups, going on field trips (to a theatre and an elderly home), or taking part in a retreat with secondary students in a distant province, Cordoba.

Through both avid engagement in the community and independent research, Bianca has gained new perspectives on the learning needs of different age groups and the role of school social workers in a different national context, as well as some of the national history of Argentina and significant social and political movements rooted in cities like Buenos Aires, the capital.

Yessenia Tavarez ’27 has created a blog documenting her experiences this summer in Los Angeles as a Global Smith Fellow!

Check it out here: https://whatthewallscouldsay.blogspot.com/

Thank you, Yessenia, for sharing your journey with us! We’re so proud of you!! Our Social Work majors continue to impress and inspire!! What an outstanding group of students!

What the Walls Could Say A reflection on restorative justice, prison ministry, and accompaniment through my time in California with Sr.Mary Sean Hodges, OP, and the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose. Through prison visits, conversations, and community, this blog explores the humanity too often hidden behind prison walls...

SWK major, Naya Jimenez '28 received a Summer 2026 Global Smith Fellowship to San Jose, Costa Rica!

For six weeks, she worked as a Psycho-pedagogy practicer for the primary and secondary schools of the Los Angeles School.

"I loved the whole experience, and it was very bittersweet to say goodbye! They taught me so many things, including respect, kindness, love, and welcomed me with open arms. It was a beautiful experience I was blessed with!" -Naya Jimenez

SWK major, Yessenia Tavarez '27 received the Summer 2026 Global Smith Fellowship to Los Angeles, this summer! She had the opportunity to work with PREP and learned so much about restorative justice and reentry work. She has visited prisons, facilitate workshops to prepare the men for parole board hearings, hear incredible stories, and meet people who have completely changed the way she thinks about justice and healing. She even had the chance to meet Fr Greg Boyle!!!!

It has been such a meaningful experience and has made her even more excited about social work. She is currently working on a blog for the Smith Fellowship, so stayed tuned! 🎉

Our Social Work team enjoyed their annual retreat yesterday! Reflecting on the successes and lessons of the past academic year while preparing for an exciting 2026–2027!!!