The University of Utah College of Social Work

Next Thursday, June 25, Dr. Karen Fredriksen Goldsen (UW School of Social Work) will deliver our inaugural lecture of the new Bruce Bastian Honorary Speaker Series on Human Rights, “From Crisis to Courage: Advancing Human Rights, Health, and Belonging Across the Life Course.”

Use the link in the comments for details and to register for this FREE online event (1.5 CEUs)!

📢 Paid Research Opportunity for College Students

Are you a current college student age 18 or older?

Researchers are seeking participants for a paid focus group to better understand how college students respond when a friend or peer shares experiences related to dating or sexual violence and suicidal thoughts.

Your insights can help improve support, prevention, and intervention efforts for college students.

✅ Must be 18 years or older
✅ Currently enrolled in college
✅ Eligible participants will be invited to a paid focus group

🔗 Click the link in the comments below to complete a brief eligibility survey.

***If you or a loved one are experiencing emotional distress, please reach out to call/text/chat with caring counselors at the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. Free, one-on-one support is available 24 hours a day, every day.***

Please join us in congratulating PhD candidate Myra Garcia on the successful defense of her doctoral dissertation!

In her dissertation, “Navigating Intra-group Colorism: A Qualitative Study on Distress, Coping, and Resistance among Afro and Indigenous Latine,” Garcia examined the harms of skin-tone-based discrimination while highlighting the resilience, resistance, and cultural strengths that individuals and communities draw on to protect their sense of identity, dignity, and belonging.

Dr. Brad Lundahl, her dissertation chair, noted, “Dr. Garcia’s work contributes to a growing body of literature on the impact of colorism, with particular attention to the insidious ways messages about the relationship between skin color and human value are transmitted. Recognizing these patterns is critical, especially because they can be disrupted. Importantly, Dr. Garcia sought information about how within-group messages are countered and resisted by Afro and Indigenous Latine individuals—supporting hope that future generations will not extend the long reach of racism.”

Congratulations to our newly minted Dr. Garcia!

Not royalty? Then be sure to apply for a social work scholarship before the May 31 deadline!💲

Click the link in the comments below to apply for a BSW, MSW, or Social Work PhD scholarship for the 2026–2027 academic year.

During her first year in the Master of Social Work Program, Sarah Ostler completed her practicum as a case manager with the Utah Department of Public Safety. She rode along with agents from the State Bureau of Investigation and the Utah Highway Patrol, assessing and supporting people experiencing homelessness.

“If the person has arrest warrants for things like sexual assault or domestic violence, they are typically taken to jail. However, if the warrants are for less serious things like camping, that’s where I step in. I start by just talking to them—asking about what caused them to be homeless and what resources they may need. And then I provide them with what I can.” – Sarah Oster, rising second-year Master of Social Work student

Read more about Sarah in a recent ‘Humans of the U’ story (link in the comments below).

Last chance to register for the *live* CEU Institute on May 11–15! 📢

Earn 3 Ethics CEUs on Friday, May 15, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm, with “Research Integrity Considerations in the Context of Social Work Practice.”

Presented by Dr. Caren Frost, senior associate vice president for research integrity & compliance and associate dean for research at the College of Social Work, alongside Dr. Jesse Morris and Alison Greer, this session will explore how research ethics and integrity directly shape outcomes in community-based practice.

🎓 Earn 3 Ethics CEUs (post-session quiz required)
📍 Online | May 14, CEU Institute
⏳Registration for live CEU Institute sessions closes May 10 at 11:59 pm (MDT). Don’t miss your chance to earn up to 27 live CEUs. Click the link in the comments below to register now!

Looking to strengthen your clinical impact?📈

Join us online Monday, May 11, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM for “Meet the Moment Method: Integrating Motivational Interviewing and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy,” part of our CEU Institute.

Presented by Dr. Brad Lundahl, this online session offers a practical, evidence-based approach to helping clients move beyond barriers and engage in meaningful, values-driven action.

Choose the format that fits your schedule and CEU needs—attend live or access the session later with our on-demand package. (On-demand hours qualify as self-study with DOPL.)

👉 Register for this session and more via the link in the comments below. 3 endorsed CEUs will be available upon successful completion of a short quiz following this lecture.

What does effective su***de prevention look like in practice?

Earn 3 Su***de Prevention CEUs on Tuesday, May 12, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, through “Saving Lives and Bringing Hope to Those Affected by Su***de Through Education, Research, and Advocacy,” part of our CEU Institute. Brandon Callor, president of the Utah Chapter of the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention, will share practical insights on advancing su***de prevention.

🎓 Earn 3 Su***de Prevention CEUs (post-session quiz required)
📍 Online | May 12 CEU Institute
🔗Register for this session or purchase a CEU Institute package of live (May 11-15) or on-demand sessions by clicking the link in the comments below.

***If you or a loved one are experiencing emotional distress, please reach out to call/text/chat with caring counselors at the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. Free, one-on-one support is available 24 hours a day, every day.***

Happy Graduation Day to the Class of 2026! 🎓❤️ Behind every graduate is a story of sacrifice, resilience, and purpose.

“As I graduate, I look forward to continuing the work I have already stepped into—showing up for clients and growing into the kind of social worker my community needs…. My grandmother paved the way for my family to come to this country so I could have access to opportunities like my education. I carry her with me, along with every sacrifice that made this moment possible.” – Taylor S. Lopez Boodooram, Class of 2026, Master of Social Work

A U.S. Air Force veteran and first-generation college student from the New York/New Jersey area, Taylor is part of the ‘Humans of the U’ Class of 2026 series. Read the full story of her journey to social work at the link in the comments below.

Tomorrow, we celebrate our newest graduates. ❤️

Today, we’re recognizing one of those students who gave back in a meaningful way: Del Dickson, MSW Class of 2026 and recipient of the College of Social Work’s 2025–2026 John Hardy Stewart Legacy Award.

On class days throughout the academic year, Del ran “Del’s Snack Shack” in the hallway outside of our MSW classrooms, sharing freshly brewed coffee and snacks with classmates. It’s a powerful example of community in action. Thank you, Del!

We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 at Convocation tomorrow at 8:00 AM (MDT) in the Huntsman Center, followed by University Commencement at 6:00 PM (MDT). 🎓🎊

Click the link in the comments below for more details, including livestream access.