Macro Social Work Initiatives
Leveraging our alumni's passion for macro practice, we're preparing our students for systems-level thinking, searching for root causes and always asking 'why?'
The history of social work is rooted in macro social work – systems, community, organizations, advocacy and policy. Macro practitioners aren't thinking and responding only in the moment but are futurists, imagining and creating the world we need.
At the VCU School of Social Work, we're focused on skill-building for our future agents of systemic change. We're expanding programming and events where our B.S.W. and M.S.W. students can connect with skilled macro practitioners from our alumni ranks and from around the country.
Kimberly S. Compton (Ph.D.'21, M.S.W.'13) is the school's inaugural director of Macro Initiatives and is a two-time alumna who joined the faculty as assistant professor in 2019.
Learn more below:
Learn more about the M.S.W. macro concentration
The macro practice concentration in the M.S.W. Program equips students with the advanced skills needed to drive systemic change. Through a blend of critical and emergent theories and practice, students will learn to navigate complex social issues, develop leadership in community and organizational settings, and cultivate transformative change. Learn more
Students, faculty and macro alumni convene for coffee and conversations around the theme "Is Macro for Me?"
Student events
- Careers in Macro: Students can explore the diverse career paths available through macro social work and develop contacts within the M.S.W. Program and with alumni. Practitioners from a variety of macro fields share 5-minute "elevator pitches" on their work and the preferred skills. Attendees can ask questions and network.
- Macro Coffee Chat: Is Macro for Me?: Students can enjoy refreshments and fellowship while exploring the macro concentration with Dr. Compton and fellow faculty member Alex Wagaman, Ph.D., associate professor. Learn about potential field placements and imagine the future as a macro social worker.
- Macro Skill Building: Students and community members are invited to workshops, led by practitioners, focused on building skills for macro practice. Micro-, mezzo- and macro-focused practitioners can all find value in these workshops on funding, facilitation, leadership and community organizing.
Macro Fellows
The Macro Fellows launched in August 2024 with a group of dedicated alumni and faculty to provide strategic vision for advancing macro practice at VCU. In academic year 2025-2026, the school plans to double the fellowship with the addition of Macro Apprentices.
Meet the Fellows
In addition to Dr. Compton, the following alumni are participating in the fellowship program:
Cortney Calixte, B.S.W.'15, M.S.W.'17
Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance
Focus
Movement Building + Policy Advocacy
Why Macro?
I wanted to run for office as a way to help people or be of some service to the world. Then I realized that it was way too public-facing. I’m an introvert that wants some control over when I can be an introvert, and I wanted to have a different relationship/connection with people that politics doesn’t really allow for.
Yvonne Fox, M.S.W.'18
Policy analyst, Chapin Hall
Focus
Policy Analysis + Systems Change
Why Macro?
I pursued an M.S.W. expecting to get a license to counsel sexual assault survivors. I worked as an evening support staff with youth transitioning out of foster care, and absolutely fell in love. Only problem was, supporting young people felt like holding sand in my hands. I couldn’t serve them well enough, with everything facing them systemically. I decided to use my experience to pursue a career in child welfare policy.
Caitlyn Joseph, M.S.W.'25
Eviction court navigator, United Way of the Virginia Peninsula
Focus
Legal Navigation + Housing Justice
Why Macro?
I want to engage with people, communities, organizations and institutions to address the larger issues that impact the daily problems we see. By transforming and uprooting long-held beliefs, practices and inequities in our society, we can collectively imagine, build and thrive in a world that was meant for all people and nature to thrive in community with one another.
Ramiel Martinez, M.S.W.'24
Leadership Academy coordinator, Virginia Community Voice
Focus
Community Leadership + Organizing
Biography
As a leadership academy coordinator, Ramiel works with Black and Latine neighbors in Southside Richmond to build authentic relationships and support community-led leadership. Their work focuses on empowering residents to see their lived expertise as the foundation for systemic change, designing and facilitating spaces where neighbors redefine leadership and engage local government.
Rachael Randall, M.S.W.'19
The Spark Mill
Focus
Consulting + Strategic Planning
Why Macro?
I want racism to end ,and I’m most interested in finding new less-violent options to replace it. This is work I can do throughout my life without getting burnt out to do it, and macro practice has given the tools and confidence to do this work in a variety of ways.
Alex Wagaman, Ph.D.
Associate professor
Biography
Dr. Wagaman's research focuses on participatory research and service approaches that promote engagement, leadership and resilience among youth and young adults who belong to populations that face marginalization and discrimination.
She is co-founder of Advocates for Richmond Youth, a team member on the VCU iCubed Intersections in the Lives of LGBTQIA+ Communities Transdisciplinary Core, and in 2024, she was appointed as the special advisor on youth homelessness to the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Macro Scholars Symposium
The weeklong series returns for a second year in 2026. In February 2025, the School of Social Work hosted three virtual events with two associate professors from Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College in New York City, Anna Ortega-Williams, Ph.D., LMSW; and Jama Shelton, Ph.D., M.S.W. Sessions included:
- Scholars Talk: For alumni, community members, field instructors and liaisons, students, faculty and staff
- Student Lunch and Learn: For students across our three programs, B.S.W., M.S.W. and Ph.D.
- Macro Fellows In-Service: Training event for the school's cohort of fellows
Social Work, Policy and Politics
Social Work, Policy and Politics is the school's annual event focused on macro social work, supported by the C. Bernard Scotch Fund, which is named for and recognizes an emeritus faculty member committed to macro practice.
Panelists, typically alumni from the school, engage in a discussion on a relevant macro theme, such as policymaking, social disparities, election season and the importance of voting and its intersection with social work. The event is free and open to the greater community.
Past events
Spring 2025
Futuring for Transformative Approaches to Policymaking in Richmond, Virginia | Learn more
Spring 2024
Social Work, Policy & Politics: Exploring Social Determinants of Health | Learn more
Fall 2022
Social Work, Policy and Politics: The Landscape Ahead of November | Learn more
Fall 2020
Social Justice in Politics: Get Out the Vote in 2020
Learn more
Social Work Administration, Planning and Policy Practice Scholarship Fund
The School of Social Work Administration, Planning and Policy Practice (SWAPPP) Scholarship Fund was established in 2004 by longtime macro faculty members Bob Peay (M.S.W.’74) and Bob Schneider, Ph.D., with subsequent support from alumni, faculty and friends of the VCU School of Social Work. The scholarship is awarded to full- or part-time M.S.W. SWAPPP specialization students.
- Learn more about the impact of the scholarship.
- Learn more about the legacies of Peay and Schneider, who passed away within six months of each other in 2020.
Bob Schneider, left, and Bob Peay with Rodney the Ram. The two Bobs were longtime champions for macro social work.