San Diego State University School of Social Work

SDSU School of Social Work congratulates Dr. Dianne Ciro for her recent CHHS RSF Pilot Project award on Equitable Health and Wellbeing! Her project, titled Adapting TF-CBT for Complex Trauma in Conflict-Affected Colombia" is an implementation pilot study partners with a national Colombian behavioral health agency to culturally and contextually adapt Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for youth with complex trauma histories (including armed conflict and displacement), using implementation science frameworks to generate preliminary data to advance equitable mental health care in Colombia and inform services for immigrant Latiné communities in the United States.

Congratulations to Sandra Massoud for receiving the 2026 CHHS Graduate Student Research Award!

A special thank you to Dr. Eunjeong Ko for serving as her mentor and supporting this important work.

Research Project:
Legal Support for Transition-Aged Youth (TAY) Experiencing Homelessness

This mixed-methods study explores access to and delivery of legal services within social service and legal organizations serving transition-aged youth experiencing homelessness. Through interviews with organizational staff and surveys with TAY, the research examines organizational practices, lived experiences, and the barriers and facilitators related to accessing legal support in San Diego.

By identifying legal needs and opportunities for improvement, this research has the potential to inform future intervention programs that better integrate social services and legal support for youth experiencing homelessness.

Congratulations again on this outstanding achievement and meaningful contribution to the field!

The Black Social Work Association (BSWA) at SDSU is currently looking for students interested in joining our executive board for the upcoming academic year. We are currently seeking a Treasurer and a Membership/Outreach Coordinator. We are looking for students who are passionate about community building, advocacy, and helping grow BSWA into a more active and engaged organization within the School of Social Work.

Dear SSW Students,

This is an invitation to join our second listening session on the topic of Social Work Professionalism. Join us virtually for a collaborative listening session as we continue defining and shaping what professionalism means and feels like in our program today—your voice matters in building what comes next! Please see the attached flyer for the QR code to register and receive the Zoom meeting link.

Anyone who attended our first in-person listening session is also welcome to join again.

Shared on behalf of Lena Samuels, MSW Student, Dr. Adrianne Keeney, and myself.

We’re Recruiting for Next Year!

We’re looking for dedicated students to join our team as officers and general members. Get involved, build leadership skills, connect with peers, and help shape an amazing year ahead!

Whether you're interested in a leadership role or just want to be more involved, we welcome you to join us. Stay tuned for application details and upcoming info sessions.

Interested? Send us a DM to learn more!

The School of Social Work welcomes Jennifer Seneor, LCSW, as the new SDSU/HHSA Liaison for the Cal IV-E Project. A UCLA sociology graduate and SDSU MSW (Title IV-E) alum, Jenny previously worked with Child Welfare Services for the County of San Diego and, most recently, in private practice supporting individuals experiencing trauma and grief. In her new role, she will support Cal IV-E students, collaborate with field instructors, and strengthen the SDSU–County partnership. Please join us in welcoming Jenny to the School of Social Work!

Join SDSU Undergraduate Social Work Association (USWA) on Thursday, April 23, from 7-8:30 pm for an inspiring Social Work Career Panel featuring professionals sharing real insights, career paths, and stories from their journeys. Whether you’re exploring options or chasing goals, this is a great opportunity to learn and connect! Feel free to bring any questions you have to be answered by the panelists! Check out the on Instagram to learn more about the panelists.

GWSA will be hosting an MSW Alumni panel event with professionals from many different areas of social work! Bring questions you’d like to ask our alumni and be ready to network. We would like to emphasize that this is an amazing opportunity for students to network with professionals who know what it’s like to be a master's student at SDSU. We are very excited to be hosting this event and cannot wait to hear from our diverse panelists. Food and drinks will be provided!

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Lianne Urada on receiving the 2025–2026 SDSU Excellence in Community-Engaged Learning (ExCEL) Award. This prestigious recognition honors faculty who demonstrate outstanding commitment to community-engaged teaching, meaningful partnerships, and high-impact learning experiences for students.

Through her work, Dr. Urada has created valuable opportunities for SDSU students to engage directly with community partners, apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, and contribute to initiatives that promote health, equity, and social impact. Her dedication to student success and community collaboration continues to make a lasting difference both on campus and throughout the community.

Congratulations, Dr. Urada!

The SDSU School of Social Work was well represented at the 2026 NASW-CA Legislative Lobby Days! There was representation from all Schools of Social Work in California, and SDSU made a strong presence with four faculty members and nearly 50 social work students who participated in the two powerful days of policy education, direct legislative engagement, and collective action. Go SDSU SSW !!!