Florida State University College of Social Work

🏆 Dr. Neil Abell is the recipient of this year's Distinguished Social Work Educator Alumni Award!

Abell is a three-time FSU graduate, earning a social work doctoral degree (1986) and master’s degree (1982), along with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from FSU College of Arts & Sciences (1979). He is a professor and director of International Programs within the FSU College of Social Work and will retire in December 2024. His research and teaching focus on international social work, HIV/AIDs, human rights, and mindfulness. As director of International Programs, he has facilitated experiences abroad for social work students, including the Alternative Spring Break field placement and exchange opportunities. https://bit.ly/3VCmwl4

The 2024-2025 edition of Communitas Magazine is now available to read online! 🌟

Dive into this year’s edition to find a message from Dean David Springer, updates from our centers and institutes, inspiring highlights of our students, faculty, and alumni, and more exciting news from across the community.

👉 Read it now: https://bit.ly/3WbwZVd

Wishing you a joyful and restful holiday season from ! 🌟❄️ Florida State University will be closed for Winter Break from Monday, December 23, 2024, through Friday, January 3, 2025. We look forward to welcoming you back on January 6th.

Enjoy the holidays and see you in the new year!

🏆 Hailey Philips Lovejoy is the recipient of this year's Distinguished Young Alumni Award!

Lovejoy is a three-time FSU graduate, earning a master’s degree in public safety and security from the College of Applied Studies at FSU Panama City (2024), a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree (2020), and a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice from FSU College of Criminology and Criminal Justice (2016) with a specialized focus on victimology and s*x offenders/offenses.

Her career and academic interests have centered on the intersection of criminal justice and mental health. While earning her MSW degree, she worked as a 911 dispatcher and completed her field placement internships as a drug treatment counselor in conjunction with a drug treatment court program in southern Georgia. For the past four years, she has worked with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, providing support services to people in crisis as a law enforcement officer. She is currently working toward social work licensure as the substance abuse/behavioral health counselor at the Walton County Jail. Her primary focus is now working with inmates on community re-entry transitions through the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Community Mental Health Initiative to bridge the gap in a county with limited support services.

🏆 Margaret (Meg) (MSW 1974) and John Paschal (MSW 1988) are the recipients of this year's Distinguished Emeritus Alumni Award!

Each has an extensive career in social work practice. Meg Paschal’s social work career spanned more than 21 years with the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services (DHRS) in various roles, including serving as a program manager for 14 counties in North Florida.

John Paschal’s social work career included 26 years as a licensed clinical social worker working with young children and families and 18 years with DHRS in various roles, including his final role as chief of the Florida Department of Children and Families.

They established a private therapy practice and served the Tallahassee community for over 30 years. They also established the John and Meg Paschal International Social Work Scholarship to support FSU social work students wishing to study abroad and gain experience in international social work.
https://bit.ly/3VCmwl4

Our online store is live! 👕🤩 Represent with these new designs on a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or tote bag! Delivery only. Order by December 29 at https://bit.ly/3OTPWax.

🎓🎉 It's graduation week! We can't wait to celebrate our graduates at our Fall Graduation Event on Friday, December 13th, from 1-3 pm at the Student Union Ballrooms (https://bit.ly/49vLaJP).

A reminder that this event is separate from the commencement at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. Commencement for BSW and MSW graduates is on Friday, December 13, at 7:00 pm. 🧑‍🎓 Learn more at commencement.fsu.edu.

The FSU College of Social Work celebrated the retirement of esteemed faculty member Dr. Neil Abell, professor and director of International Programs at the college since 2011. He served as a faculty member for 33 years and retired at the end of the fall 2024 semester.

🎉 Our Faculty and Staff Holiday Party was a hit! 🕎🎄 From a delicious potluck to a lively white elephant gift exchange and, of course, some amazing ugly holiday sweaters, it was a great way to celebrate this time of year together. Happy Holidays from ! 🎁✨

❤️ FSU College of Social Work hosted its annual Homecoming Alumni Breakfast at Hotel Duval on November 23, 2024. 💛

👏 Our FSU College of Social Work BSW students, led by Professor Erika Cuffy, made a big impact at the Tallahassee Senior Center’s Grandparents as Parents picnic. They hosted "minute-to-win-it" games, bringing grandparents and grandkids closer along with some fun competition! 😊 We’re proud of our student's passion and creativity.

If you are interested in helping with this event, which happens every spring and fall semester, contact Erika Cuffy at [email protected]!

"The study is an important start to representing the multiplicities and diverse immigrant experiences in the U.S. and addressing the needs of these populations."

faculty member Dr. Gashaye Tefera led a study published in the journal Healthcare on the experiences of Ethiopian immigrant women accessing primary healthcare in the United States. https://bit.ly/4gdsqBb

🚨 Instagram Takeover Alert! 🚨

Assistant Teaching Professor Jessica Greil-Burkhart is taking over our Instagram for a day! 🎉 Follow along as she shows you what a day in the life of a professor.

Check out our Stories (on Facebook or Instagram) on Monday, December 2, to see updates from Professor Greil-Burkhart and have a chance to ask her questions about life at FSU! ✨

🎉 We had so much fun walking in the FSU Homecoming parade today! Thank you to the students, faculty, staff, and alumni who joined us and cheered us on. Go Noles! ❤️💛