Annual Report

School of Social Work

Uncommon Cornerstone: 105 years +

From the dean

After 105 years, we continue to make history.

Interim Dean Rebecca Gomez at the gold VCU sign on the Monroe Park Campus. 

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Unparalleled Faculty & Research Excellence

Unsurpassed expertise

Meet our new personnel, including 7 new faculty hires.

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Welcome - text repeated five times

Art of Black motherhood

Nicole Corley, Ph.D., facilitates stories through collage.

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Nicole Corley stands with her daughter, Zuri, in front of a display for her art exhibit, And Aint I a Mother?

Turning on audio-pilot

Cassie DeSena-Jacobs, D.S.W., introduces podcasting to class.

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Headshot of Cassie DeSena-Jacobs

Faculty departures

Beth Angell, Ph.D., takes Michigan deanship; Kia Bentley, Ph.D., retires.

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Headshots of former dean Beth Angell and retired faculty member Kia Bentley

News & Notes

See additional faculty and staff achievements.

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News and Notes - Faculty

Research Highlights

View research by the numbers and faculty publications.

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Icons of magnifying glass over a document

Unlimited Potential: Student Excellence

Lending a student voice

Oscar Kemp is first B.S.W. student on CSWE's board of directors.

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Headshot of Oscar Kemp

Earning national acclaim

Top honors for Leah Bouchard, Matt Morgan & Camie Tomlinson.

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Ph.D. highlights

May 2022 Commencement

Graduate profiles and words of wisdom from student speakers.

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A social work graduate holds their scroll over their head in celebration at the May Commencement ceremony

Unstoppable Drive: Alumni & Community Excellence

At home at White House

Alumni Allison Gilbreath and Sophia Booker make policy visits. 

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Alumni Allison Gilbreath and Sophia Booker during a visit to the White House

Making a difference, daily

Alum and athletics administrator Sofia Hiort-Wright is DEI champion.

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Headshot of Sofia Hiort-Wright

News & Notes

See additional alumni and community achievements.

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News and Notes - Alumni and community

Unconditional Commitment: Philanthropic Excellence

Helping Pay It Forward

Day of Giving results; meet our new director of development.

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VCU Giving Day - April 28, 2022. givingday.vcu.edu

About this report and the school

Welcome to our second VCU School of Social Work annual report (2022). We are recapping the 2021-2022 academic year and celebrating our faculty, staff, students, alumni and community. 

The school dates to 1917, and in October 2022 we celebrated our 105th anniversary. We are proud of our reputation as a national leader in social work education and as a cornerstone of our university, the Greater Richmond community, the commonwealth of Virginia and the region.