Alumni and community
For more than 100 years, VCU's School of Social Work has thrived on fostering relationships among the community, students, faculty and alumni.
Much of our success stems from their commitment to our mission of promoting social and economic justice in a diverse and multicultural society.
69%
69% of our alumni choose to stay in Virginia
12,000+
Our 12,000+ living alumni stay connected through mentoring, teaching and philanthropic giving
Leading with VCU pride 🖤 💛
Two principals of national social work organizations are M.S.W. alumni from the School of Social Work.
Anthony Estreet (M.S.W.'07), Ph.D.
CEO, National Association of Social Workers
VCU is definitely top tier. I particularly loved that I went to VCU, and as you can see, my education has certainly helped me a lot in my career."
Renata Hedrington-Jones (M.S.W.'87), Ph.D.
President, National Association of Black Social Workers
I always talk about my school, my alma mater. And so one of the girls said, ‘Damn, we have to hear about you and that VCU ...?’ And I said, ‘Yes, you’re going to hear it. You’re going to hear everything I have to say about VCU.' "
School alumni and community Initiatives
Connecting with our community is a priority. We hope you'll join us for our many opportunities throughout the year. Have questions? Contact Dannita Trice, alumni engagement officer, at at (804) 828-5633 or tricedd@vcu.edu.
Coffee & conversations
Join the dean, faculty, staff and fellow alumni at a local coffeehouse to connect and network each fall and spring. Mark your calendar and join us from 8-10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 4; location TBD.
Speed mentoring with students
Each semester, a small group of alumni shares their experiences with students around a particular subject area, such as mental health or child welfare. Share your expertise!
Reading with Rodney
Dean Gary Cuddeback and alum Ronnie Sidney II (M.S.W.'14) led one of VCU Alumni's Reading with Rodney sessions in Summer 2025 at Henrico Public Library. We're here for you if you'd like to request our participation!
Social Work, Policy & Politics
The school's signature annual event is held each spring in conjunction with Social Work Month and highlights a macro-focused topic of interest with a panel of alumni experts. Past events have focused on transformative policymaking and social determinants of health. The C. Bernard Scotch Fund supports the event.
Explore SSW Continuing Education
Explore School of Social Work-led CE opportunities, including clinical supervision training sessions in Fall 2025 and February 2026; and the third installment of our serious mental illness webinar series in Spring 2026.
VCU's Office of Continuing and Professional Education also provides courses and certificates to keep learning in categories such as education, health care and social assistance, and more.
Honoring alumni excellence
Learn more about some of our recent awardees.
Katelynn Jarrells (B.S.W.'16, M.SW.'17)
VCU 10 Under 10 Award
Jarrells, the program head and associate professor of human services and mental health at Brightpoint Community College, is the most recent SSW recipient of the annual award, in 2024. Learn more
Viola Vaughan-Eden (Ph.D.'03)
VCU Alumni Stars Award
Dr. Vaughan-Eden, professor and the Ph.D. program director with the Ethelyn R. Strong School of Social Work at Norfolk State University, is the most recent SSW recipient of biennial award, in 2024. Learn more
David McLeod (Ph.D.'13)
Making a Difference Alumni Award
Dr. McLeod, director of the University of Oklahoma's Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work, is the most recent recipient of the SSW Ph.D. Program's biennial award, in 2024. Learn more
Drinks & Dialogue with the Dean: Join us!
Meet with Dean Gary Cuddeback as he goes on the road around the commonwealth and Washington, D.C., in 2025-26. All events are 6-8 p.m. unless noted.
- Oct. 16, 2025 – Charlottesville, Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery
- Nov. 6, 2025 – Williamsburg, Precarious Beer Project
- Jan. 16, 2026 – Washington, City Tap House (Society for Social Work & Research conference)
- Feb. 18, 2026 – Roanoke, TBD
- March 5, 2026 – Richmond, TBD
- April 17, 2026 – Norfolk/Virginia Beach, TBD
School alumni, donor and community events
You can also view all public-facing events for the School of Social Work.
Connect with us at national conferences!
We hope to see you at one or both of the two annual conferences.
CSWE
Oct. 23-26, 2025
Denver, Sheraton Downtown
We hope to see you at the Council on Social Work Education conference. Find our booth (like Oscar Kemp, B.S.W.'23, with Rodney and a colleague) for SSW swag and refreshments.
SSWR
Jan. 14-18, 2026
Washington, D.C., Marriott Marquis
We hope to see you at the Society for Social Work & Research conference. Join us for Drinks & Dialogues with the Dean on Jan. 16, 6-8 p.m., City Tap House.
Partner with us
Give your time and talent to help our students and school succeed. You can help by mentoring current students, meeting with graduates in your state, being a guest lecturer or partnering with faculty. Interested? Contact Dannita Trice, alumni engagement officer, at (804) 828-5633 or tricedd@vcu.edu.
Connect with VCU
- View the VCU alumni calendar
- Explore VCU Link
- Check out Volunteer@VCU
- Find or post job opportunities via Handshake
VCU on social media:
I gradually worked my way up to make the School of Social Work more and more important in my family’s budget. I designated a lot of my gift to the Social Work Administration, Planning and Policy Practice Scholarship because it’s really important to me.”
Allison Gilbreath (she/her), M.S.W. graduate and donor; policy and programs director, Voices for Virginia’s Children
The VCU School of Social Work was a pivotal experience for both of us. We were challenged by the faculty, staff and fellow students to look at things through a lens of justice and equality for all people and to advocate for just policies and practices. The decision to create an endowed scholarship was easy, as the university and the school hold such important places in our lives.”
Alumni newsletter archive
June 23, 2024
Interim Dean Cuddeback celebrates nearly 400 graduates and other student honorees for spring; the success of VCU Giving Day; excerpts from our student Commencement speakers; an honor for alum Ronnie Sidney II (M.S.W.'14); the retirement of dean emeritus Frank Baskind, Ph.D.; and recognition for graduates Austin Ezzard, Angela Matijczak and Angela-Marie Rone.
April 28, 2024
Interim Dean Cuddeback announces the upcoming retirements of faculty Frank Baskind, Ph.D., and Liz Cramer, Ph.D; a Career Achievement Award for Denise Burnette, Ph.D., from the Association for Gerontology Education in Social Work; the passing of legendary faculty member Florence "Flossie" Segal at 99; Social Work Month celebrations; a new course on serious mental illness from Cassie DeSena-Jacobs, D.S.W.; and research symposium by Hyojin Im, Ph.D., and graduate students on refugee health and mental health.
Feb. 25, 2024
Interim Dean Cuddeback highlights a series of alumni events throughout March for Social Work Month; the school's continuing education series, "Insights into Serious Mental Health"; presentations at the Society for Social Work and Research conference; new student support funds; a national dissertation award for Ph.D. student Seon "Sunny" Kim from the Korean American Social Work Educators Association; and recognition for David McLeod (Ph.D.'13) as the school's Making a Difference Alumni Award recipient.
Dec. 31, 2023
Interim dean Cuddeback shares the school's holiday card and annual report for 2022-23, recaps the CSWE APM and highlights upcoming opportunities with the school's Serious Mental Illness webinar series and its Cultural Awareness Day; and celebrates three graduates recognized in Style Weekly magazine, student researchers Victoria Cashio and Paloma Rodriguez, and B.S.W. students Khalil Watson and Kwame Walker.
Oct. 29, 2023
Interim Dean Cuddeback celebrates the school's participation at the Council on Social Work Education Annual Program Meeting and promotions highlighting alumni Anthony Estreet, Ph.D., (M.S.W.'07) and Viola Vaughan-Eden (Ph.D.'03), doctoral students Aaron Kemmerer and Katie Kim, and Associate Professor Maurice Gattis, Ph.D.; a recap of the school's annual report; VCU's 10 Under 10 Alumni Award recipient Kim Young (M.S.W.'13); the legacy of the late Mary Hugh Dotson Cartledge (M.S.W.'17); and an introduction to the new Ph.D. cohort of four students.
Aug. 27, 2023
Interim Dean Cuddeback introduces himself, including a short video message; highlights the school's research submissions and interdisciplinary collaborations; extends an invitation to the school's fall convocation; remembers longtime employee Lila Garlick; and shares the good news of SSW-affiliated VCU Burnside Watstein LGBTQIA Award recipients, doctoral student Paola Roldán’s, summer research internship and participation from B.S.W. advisor Kristal Parada and student Alondra Zubiate in a new VCU Latinx program.
June 25, 2023
Interim Dean Gomez celebrates 400+ May graduates and the keynote address by NASW CEO Anthony Estreet (M.S.W.'07); a top national award for doctoral alum Viola Vaughan-Eden (Ph.D.'03); two national fellowships for recent graduate Oscar Kemp (B.S.W.'23); and next steps for our four doctoral graduates.
April 23, 2023
Interim Dean Gomez reflects on our Social Work Month alumni event; and shares news of faculty Fulbright awards for Maurice Gattis, Ph.D., and Denise Burnette, Ph.D.; an innovative art-based project by Nicole Corley, Ph.D.; and a feature on how alum Y. Joon Choi (Ph.D.'11) helps teach clergy to prevent domestic violence among Asian immigrant women.
Feb. 26, 2023
Interim Dean Gomez recognizes the appointment of 2007 M.S.W. alum Anthony Estreet, Ph.D., as CEO of the National Association of Social Workers; a host of research presentations at the SSWR conference; a feature on recent graduate Brittany Watson (M.S.W.'22); and a new grant project led by Sunny Shin, Ph.D., to help pediatricians reduce adverse childhood experiences.
Dec. 14, 2022
Interim Dean Gomez shares our school holiday card and reflects on our mutual grief around a spate of shootings; highlights from the CSWE APM conference and our Annual Report; and a recap from our fall event Social Work, Policy & Politics: The Landscape Ahead of November.
Oct. 9, 2022
Interim Dean Gomez recognizes Alumni Stars honorees (M.S.W.’96/SW; Cert.’96/SW) and Emily Yeatts (B.A.’09/WS; B.A.’09/WS; Cert.’09/WS; M.S.W.’12/SW; M.P.H.’12/M; Cert.’12/GPA); recaps Fall Convocation with keynote Paul Harris, Ph.D.; and shares news of alumni Denise Purgold (M.S.W.’97/SW), LCSW, and Sherwood Randolph Jr. (B.S.W.’08/SW; M.S.W.’10/SW), LCSW, M.Div., BC-TMH, being appointed to the state Board of Social Work.
Aug. 14, 2022
Interim Dean Gomez highlights our upcoming Fall Convocation and the addition of four new tenure-track faculty; and we highlight alum Melissa Mason (B.S.W.'15/SW), current M.S.W. student Kwasi Deitutu, Ph.D. student Matt Morgan's national fellowship, and our award winners from our Office of Field Education and across our student and faculty ranks for the past academic year.
June 12, 2022
Interim Dean Gomez reflects on the impact of racially motivated shootings but also celebrates our Top 30 national ranking, our student graduate speakers and three new faculty hirings; we spotlight alumni award winner John Bricout (Ph.D.'98/SW); and meet two interesting sets of recent graduates, a mother-daughter pair and two students named Summer Jones.
April 10, 2022
Dean Angell announces Associate Dean Rebecca Gomez will serve as interim dean; we spotlight alum Angela Giles, D.B.H. (M.S.W.'98/SW); preview VCU's Giving Day; and recognize our Child Welfare Stipend Program, Associate professor Karen Chartier, Ph.D., and three additional alumni in the news.
Feb. 13, 2022
We recognize a variety of research news; spotlight alum Jackie Lawrence (B.S.W.’16/SW; M.S.W.’17/SW); and feature a CSWE honor for B.S.W. student Oscar Kemp.
Aug. 25, 2021
You can support our school as a community cornerstone; we spotlight alum Trina Davis (B.S.’01/H&S; M.S.W.’07/SW); and learn how to become a field placement site.
May 27, 2021
We celebrate our nearly 300 graduating students, retiring M.S.W. Program Director Melissa L. Stewart, Ph.D. (B.S.'86/E; M.Ed.'00/E), and mother-daughter classmates in our M.S.W. cohort
March 31, 20221
We share our commitment to social and racial justice and highlight six student fellows for the Radical Alliance for Anti-Racism, Change and Equity; and recognize a social justice award for alum Sara Van Tongeren (M.S.W.'08/SW).
Jan. 27, 2021
We celebrate our December 20202 graduates; research presentations at the CSWE and SSWR conferences; our gratitude to supports of the Make It Real Campaign; and the inclusion of six alumni in Style Weekly's annual 40 Under 40.
Oct. 28, 2020
We mourn the passing of longtime faculty member Robert "Bob" Schneider, Ph.D., just months after the loss of our other Bob, Robert "Bob" Peay (M.S.W.'74/SW); spotlight alum Jackie Washington (B.S.W.'16/SW; M.S.W.'17/SW); and recognize faculty NIH grant winners Jamie Cage, Ph.D., and Shelby McDonald, Ph.D.
July 29, 2020
We acknowledge painful examples of white supremacy and anti-Black racism while affirming that Black Lives Matter, and share Dean Angell's communication on anti-Black racism and violence; welcome new associate dean Rebecca Gomez, Ph.D.; and recognize our annual faculty and staff award winners, Jamie Cage, Ph.D., and Jaime Petrasek.
May 27, 2020
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we celebrate our nearly 300 graduates; faculty Stevara Haley Clark (B.S.W.'09/SW; M.S.W.'10), a Presidential Award for Community Multicultural Enrichment winner; and recent graduate John Gyourko (M.S.W.'20/SW), the NASW-VA M.S.W. Student of the Year.
March 19, 2020
We recognize the importance of Social Work Month by honoring 17 alumni featured as "Power Players" in VCU's Shafer Court Connections magazine; Making a Difference Alumni Award for Trenette Clark Goings (Ph.D.'08/SW); and presentations at the Society for Social Work and Research conference.
Nov. 21, 2019
We celebrate the accomplishments of multiple social work alumni, to state and city government positions; recognition from Style Weekly magazine; and awards from the VCU Alumni Pitch Competition, VCU Alumni 10 Under 10, and VCU Alumni Stars.
Sept. 19, 2019
We are expanding access with our fully online M.S.W. Program; spotlight alum Sophia Booker (B.S.W.'18/SW); and recognize VCU Presidential Research Quest Fund recipients Kyeongmo Kim, Ph.D., and Alex Wagaman, Ph.D.
June 19, 2019
We celebrate 463 alumni donors during the Make It Real Campaign for VCU; NASW-VA Social Worker of the Year award winner Bonita Hogue (M.S.W.'84/SW); and graduation speaker and community advocate Marc Cheatham (B.S.W.'05/SW).
April 18, 2019
U.S. News and World Report ranks the school No. 25 in the nation for best graduate schools; alum Laura Booth (B.S.W.’18/SW) wins a Fulbright grant; and faculty Alex Wagaman, Ph.D., is part of a project that receives a major housing stability grant.