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
Featured events
Connecting with our alumni and the community is a priority. We hope you'll join us for our many opportunities throughout the year. Have questions? Contact Elizabeth Bass, associate vice president of alumni relations, at clelande@vcu.edu.
Happy networking
Connect with fellow alumni, including recent graduates, at an exclusive networking happy hour each May. Join Dean Gary Cuddeback, Ph.D., faculty and emeriti faculty members and staff. Enjoy great conversation, appetizers and a drink on us!
Coffee & conversations
Join the dean, faculty, staff and fellow alumni at a local coffeehouse to connect and network each fall and spring. » Spring 2026 photos
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!
Annual macro focus
Each spring, this dynamic event invites clinicians, policymakers, alumni, retired and emeriti faculty, and current practitioners to come together for a rich, intergenerational conversation about what it means to practice social work policy today. » Spring 2026 event | » Event archive
Drinks & Dialogue with the Dean: 2025-26 tour
Dean Gary Cuddeback, Ph.D., toured the commonwealth and Washington, D.C., engaging and building community with alumni and supporters.
- April 22, 2026 – Virginia Beach, Topgolf » Photos
- March 5, 2026 – Richmond, Ford's Garage Short Pump » Photos
- Feb. 18, 2026 – Roanoke, Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery » Photos
- Jan. 16, 2026 – Washington, City Tap House Penn Quarter (Society for Social Work & Research conference) » Photos
- Nov. 6, 2025 – Williamsburg, Precarious Beer Project » Photos
- Oct. 16, 2025 – Charlottesville, Three Notch'd Craft Kitchen & Brewery » Photos
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 Elizabeth Bass, associate vice president of alumni relations, at clelande@vcu.edu.
Explore SSW Continuing Education
Explore School of Social Work-led CE opportunities, including clinical professional development and clinical supervision training sessions. Archived video of sessions is available from our three serious mental illness webinar series, including from 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
School alumni, donor and community events
You can also view all public-facing events for the School of Social Work and public events from VCU's Office of Development and Alumni Relations.
Connect with us at national conferences!
We hope to see you at one or both of the two annual conferences.
CSWE
Oct. 22-25, 2026
Atlanta, Marriott Marquis
Come see us at Booth 715 for the 72nd annual conference, and join us for the Mid-Atlantic Deans and Directors Reception, 7-10 p.m. Oct. 23 in MQ Salon D.
SSWR
Jan. 20-24, 2027
San Francisco, Hilton Union Square
We love connecting each year at the Society for Social Work & Research conference. View our 2026 SSWR faculty and doctoral presentations and photos from our 2026 Drinks & Dialogue event in D.C.
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 Elizabeth Bass, associate vice president of alumni relations, at clelande@vcu.edu.
Connect with VCU
- View the VCU alumni calendar
- Explore VCU Link
- Check out volunteer and mentoring opportunities.
- Find or post jobs 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
September 2026
Announcing a generous gift from alum Peter Goodman (M.S.W.’86); record enrollment and expanded supporting staff; a Fulbright award for Ph.D. student Aya Caballero; CSWE conference details; M.S.W. student Lane Siebert's powerful advocacy; interdisciplinary research from Jacob Goffnett, Ph.D., and Karen Chartier, Ph.D.; and four faculty-led study abroad trips.
May 2026
Recapping an emotional Commencement ceremony and inspiring remarks; the conclusion of the statewide Drinks & Dialogue with the Dean tour; profiles of M.S.W. grads Elizabeth Childress (M.S.W.’26) and Kiersten “KiKi” Szymecki (M.S.W.’26); a remembrance of former faculty Janes Reeves and Marilyn Biggerstaff; Rams researchers; and a community-engaged course led by LaShawnda Singleton (B.S.W.'14).
March 2026
Celebrating student opportunities around mental health, study abroad, macro social work and research; continuing education sessions; the 2025 SSW Annual Report; publications by Nidhi Tewari (M.S.W.’14), M. Annette Clayton, Ph.D. (Ph.D.’08) and faculty Adrienne Baldwin-White, Ph.D.; a national fellowship for Kyeongmo Kim, Ph.D.; end-of-life research from Yifan Lou, Ph.D.; perspective from Hyojin Im, Ph.D., about clients at risk of immigration enforcement; and the return of Madison Woodroof (M.S.W.'17) as assistant dean for student affairs.
January 2026
Highlighting presentations at the Society for Social Work and Research; continuing education trainings; December graduation wisdom from Fatima M. Smith (M.S.W.’12) and Isis Miller-Boyd (M.S.W.’25); and a New York Fashion Week appearance by Maurice Gattis, Ph.D.
November 2025
Recognizing our uncommon strengths in child welfare, international social work, macro practice, mental health, youth homelessness and community-engaged research and services through our Evaluation Lab; the black-and-gold enthusiasm of recruitment specialist LaKesha Bennett; and a look back at the CSWE Conference in Denver.
September 2025
Celebrating Ph.D. students Victoria Cashio, Lisa Borntrager and Rayelle Ross; the start of our Drinks & Dialogue with the Dean tour; how Renata Hedrington-Jones (M.S.W.’87) brings her VCU pride to her role as president of the National Association of Black Social Workers; the school's legacy in Ghana; and how Adrienne Baldwin-White, Ph.D., is using technology to prevent sexual violence.
June 2025
Honoring the inspiration and excellence of our latest graduates, including profiles of Kelci Straka-Mai (M.S.W.'25) and Briany Cruz (B.S.W.'23, M.S.W.'25) and a photo gallery; strong donor support for VCU Giving Day; student award and scholarship recipients; and play therapy training.
April 2025
Recognizing the profession during Social Work Month; our alumni-heavy Social Work, Policy and Politics event with Jackie Lawrence (B.S.W.’16, M.S.W.’17), Abbey Philips (B.A.’09, M.S.W.’12), Helen Rai (B.S.W.’16, M.S.W.’17) and Marc Cheatham (B.S.W.’05); Ph.D. student Marianne Lund's work at the intersection of social work and entrepreneurship; winter study abroad in India; and new faculty and Ph.D. cohorts.
February 2025
Highlighting our inaugural Macro Fellows – Cortney Calixte (B.S.W.’15, M.S.W.’17), Caitlyn Joseph (M.S.W.’24), Ramiel Martinez (B.S.W.’22, M.S.W.’24), Yvonne Fox (M.S.W.’18) and Rachael Randall (M.S.W.’19); how the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center saved Melissa Weaver (B.S.W.’99, M.S.W.’06); our Annual Report, focusing on mental health and international opportunities; graduate James Orr (M.S.W.'24); support for small-town Rams; and undergraduate researchers.
December 2024
Announcing Gary S. Cuddeback's appointment as permanent dean; a panel discussion with doctoral alumni David McLeod (Ph.D.’13), Rachel Rosenberg (Ph.D.’18) and Viola Vaughan-Eden (Ph.D.’03); how Jack B. Robinson Brock (B.S.W.’10, M.S.W.’12) is pursuing her macro social work "passion"; scholarship supporters Rosemary Farmer (Ph.D.’93) and her husband; celebrating the life of 99-year-old Florence Z. “Flossie” Segal; and Kim King's SSW Staff Award.
October 2024
Recapping the CSWE Conference in Kansas City and a blues-infused Mid-Atlantic Deans and Directors Reception; VCU honors for Katelyn Jarrells (B.S.W.’16, M.S.W.’17) and Viola Vaughan-Eden (Ph.D.’03); community partner awards, including Chaniqua Jones (M.S.W.’19), Ray Spicer (M.S.W.’82), Taylor Easley (B.S.W.’19, M.S.W.’22) and Nicole Durose (B.S.W.’09, M.S.W.’13); the "radical imagination" driving a shared housing program; and features on M.S.W. students Josselyn Valenzuela and Sha’Dyamond Bond.
August 2024
Welcoming new faculty Daniel Baslock, Ph.D.; Erica Jackson, LCSW (M.S.W.’14); Christina Huerta, Ph.D.; Yifan Lou, Ph.D.; and Klara Prachar, LCSW (M.S.W.’10); new administrative appointments; and the retirement of Dean Emeritus Frank Baskind, Ph.D.; and Distinguished Career Professor Liz Cramer, Ph.D.; a supporter's gift of a weekend writing retreat; Alex Wagaman's federal appointment; an "emerging leader" award for B.S.W. student Jae Lange; and Ph.D. student Samuel Ochinang's national research award.
June 2024
Celebrating 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 2024
Announcing 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.
February 2024
Highlighting 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.
December 2023
Sharing 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.
October 2023
Celebrating 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.
August 2023
Introducing Interim Dean Cuddeback, including a short video message; highlighting the school's research submissions and interdisciplinary collaborations; extending an invitation to the school's fall convocation; rememberings longtime employee Lila Garlick; and sharing 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.