UMSSW Alumni Perspectives and Advice for the Class of 2026

UMSSW Alumni Perspectives and Advice for the Class of 2026

In “Alumni Perspectives and Advice for the Class of 2026,” host Connie Sgarlata (UMSSW MSW ’89) welcomes University of Maryland School of Social Work alumni Lori James-Townes (MSW ’91), Kathryn Zimmerman (MSW ’20), and Jamel Freeman (MSW ’25) to share their social work journeys, defining experiences at the School, and their views on the future of the profession. Lori James-Townes, executive director of the National Association for Public Defense, reflects on mentorship and discovering forensic social work; Karhryn Zimmerman discusses her mid-career transition from hospital administration to clinical practice, including school-based work and Red Cross mental health response; Jamel Freeman, founder of Social Innovation 2.3 and the SIF Foundation, emphasizes systems thinking, suicide prevention, and integrating AI ethically in social work. The conversation highlights professional identity, equity, and the need for community, authenticity, and courage.  To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw [https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/msw/].    Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today.  Follow us on social media! Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UMSSW/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/MDSocialWork] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-maryland-school-of-social-work/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@UMBSocialWork]

Financial Social Work in Action: CASH Campaign of Maryland

UMSSW alumnae and founders of the CASH Campaign of Maryland, Robin McKinney, MSW ’01 and Sara Johnson, MSW ’02 discuss their career path into financial social work, challenges faced in the social work profession, and their experience founding the Cash Campaign of Maryland.   To learn more about financial social work at the University of Maryland School of Social Work visit https://ssw.umaryland.edu/fwsi [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa3V6ZGpBMjFLM1F6LUN6MGVmYktHTmd2d0VJZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsT3NBbnNqZllOTzd5R0x0dnFHb2x4eE9RWWY4cHR0SmUzYmRDSEN1NnBJLXdBdEZsYUlPM2dzWXdCdTJyaVgzMHg2MUkwMUZ6MnRHMzdXUVVQd2tfdjRWQll2QWxHNU5Vc29NdUVVRTdYRTVZYUsxWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fssw.umaryland.edu%2Ffwsi&v=6frBM-tVbGI] To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw [https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/msw/].    Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today.  Follow us on social media! Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UMSSW/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/MDSocialWork] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-maryland-school-of-social-work/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@UMBSocialWork]

Social Justice In Action: UMSSW's New Vision

In this episode of the Social Work Is Everywhere podcast, Michelle Reyazuddin, a second-year clinical MSW student and first-gen lead scholar at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work, speaks with Dean Judy Postmus about the School’s newly developed vision statement: “At the University of Maryland School of Social Work, we envision a future where social work research, practice, and policy come together to drive social justice and equity, strengthen communities and improve lives locally, nationally, and globally.”  Dean Postmus explains the difference between mission and vision, why a shared school-wide vision was needed, and how it was created through months of discussions, focus groups, surveys, an all-staff brainstorming session, and a community vote. They discuss how students can apply the vision by keeping research, practice, and policy connected in coursework and practicum, and how the School can live the vision through community partnerships and values-based decision-making.  To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw [https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/msw/].    Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today.  Follow us on social media! Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UMSSW/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/MDSocialWork] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-maryland-school-of-social-work/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@UMBSocialWork]

A Chat with the Office of Access, Strategic Initiatives, and Support (OASIS)

In this special episode of the Social Work Is Everywhere Podcast, we bring you highlights from our conversations with the OASIS team at the University of Maryland's School of Social Work. Join us as we discuss strategic planning, collaboration, community and global engagement, and the importance of aligning strategic goals with personal and institutional values. Learn about the evolving landscape of social work, the significance of relational intelligence, and the enduring legacy of Dr. Raju Varghese. Tune in for insights on building resilient, adaptable, and collaborative approaches in social work. 00:00 Introduction to the Social Work Is Everywhere Podcast 00:06 Highlights from University of Maryland Faculty and Staff 00:16 Strategic Planning and Partnerships with OASIS 00:35 Reflections on Resiliency and Adaptability 00:41 Key Takeaways from the Oasis Team 00:48 Community and Policy Developments 01:18 Aligning Goals with Values 02:09 The Importance of Relational Intelligence 03:48 Interdisciplinary and Global Initiatives 04:34 Building Relationships Across Schools 05:12 Redefining Strategy and Resilience 06:19 The Role of Social Work in Everyday Life 06:48 Closing Remarks and Tribute to Dr. Raju Varghese To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw [https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/msw/].    Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today.  Follow us on social media! Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UMSSW/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/MDSocialWork] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-maryland-school-of-social-work/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@UMBSocialWork]

Moving Well: Bringing Mental Health Support to Truck Drivers in Africa

Join Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson on the Social Work Is Everywhere podcast as they explore the Moving Well Project—a groundbreaking initiative delivering mental health and HIV prevention support to long-distance truck drivers in Zambia and beyond. In this episode, you’ll hear from: * Sabeen Ahmed, clinical social worker and curriculum developer for the Moving Well app * Munsaka Mubela, coordinator with the Truck Drivers Association of Zambia * Gracious Witola, social scientist and public health researcher Discover how the team: * Identified the unique mental health and HIV risks faced by truck drivers * Developed and adapted a mobile app to deliver accessible, culturally relevant support * Overcame challenges in reaching a mobile population through creative solutions like WhatsApp groups * Engaged local communities, government, and private sector partners for sustainable impact Learn about the project’s successes, lessons learned, and hopes for scaling up to reach more drivers across Africa and the world. If you’re inspired by this work, please consider supporting the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Your donation helps fund scholarships, research, and community partnerships: https://ssw.umaryland.edu/give [https://ssw.umaryland.edu/give]  For more information about admissions: https://ssw.umaryland.edu/msw [https://ssw.umaryland.edu/msw] MENTALHEALTH #SOCIALWORK #AFRICA #TRUCKDRIVERS #HIVPREVENTION #MOVINGWELLPROJECT #PUBLICHEALTH #PODCAST To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw [https://www.ssw.umaryland.edu/msw/].    Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today.  Follow us on social media! Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/UMSSW/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/MDSocialWork] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-maryland-school-of-social-work/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@UMBSocialWork]