Social Work Notes
2014
S CHO O L
OF
S OCI A L
WO R K ,
U N I V E R SI T Y
SCALING NEW HEIGHTS
O F
M I SSO U R I
with Professor Aaron Thompson and students in
Theory and Practice of Social Group Work Class, pp. 10-11
Table of Contents
Director’s Message....................................................................3
Student News............................................................................4
Alumni News..........................................................................5-6
Program Spotlights...................................................................7
2013 SSWAO Awards.................................................................8
Research Spotlights...................................................................9
Teaching Spotlights.............................................................10-11
Selected Faculty Publications & Presentations................12-13
Graduation 2013.................................................................14-15
Development.......................................................................16-17
Donors & Social Justice Society............................................18
Alumni Organization................................................................19
Spring Forum Announcement................................................20
Professional Advisory Comittee, School of Social Work
Jerrie Jacobs-Kenner - PAC Chair
President and CEO,
Mo. Alliance for Children & Families
Veronica Ramnarine
Chief, Social Work
Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital
M. Jenise Comer
Director, BSW Social Work Program
University of Central Missouri
Paula Richards
Bereavement Social Worker,
Hospice Compassus
Phyllis Becker
Director, Division for Youth Services
Mo. Dept. of Social Services
Joylean P. Sampson
Assoc. Professor of Sociology & Social Work, Lincoln University
Susan Savage
Deputy Director,
Practice & Professional Dev., Mo. Dept. of Social Services, Children’s Div.
Susan Schopflin
Assistant Director, Healthcare Home
Compass Health/Pathways/
Family Counseling Center
Jan Heckemeyer
Deputy Director,
Mo. Dept. of Mental Health
Bill Seidhoff
Director, Dept. of Human Services
City of St. Louis
Janis Irby
Director of Social Work,
NW Mo. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Ctr.
Lori Strong-Goeke
Associate Director for Planning,
Mo. Division of Budget & Planning
Anne Janku
Researcher, Court Business Services
Office of State Courts Administrator
Cindy (Wilkinson) Rackers
Section Administrator,
Mo. Dept. of Health & Senior Services
Div. of Community & Public Health
Nancie McAnaugh
Chief Operating Officer,
LeadingAge Missouri
Laura Neal
Self-employed Health Care Consultant
Board member, Mo. State Com.
of Social Workers
2 | Social Work Notes
Elizabeth Wilson
Dir. & Asst. Prof., Social Work
Program, William Woods University
Dean’s Development Council
Carolyn Allen
Kathleen Cain
Joanne Fulton
Tim Harlan
Peggy Johnson
Cindy Mustard
Dianne Orton
Sallee Purcell
Marjorie Sable
Sally Silvers
Paul Sundet
Karen Woodbury
Harriet Yelon
Newsletter Board
Marjorie Sable
Director, School of Social Work
Dianne Orton
Director, External Relations
Patricia Fisher
Co-Editor, Writer
Heather Hoffman
Layout Editor
Photographers
Diane Davis, Patricia Fisher, Brittany
Kramer, Margie Sable, Aaron
Thompson, Kathleen Claxton-Rogers
Contact Us
University of Missouri
School of Social Work
Clark Hall 7th Floor
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: 573-882-6206 / Fax: 573-882-8926
E-mail: ssw@missouri.edu
Web: ssw.missouri.edu
Social Work Notes is published annually
by the MU School of Social Work in
the College of Human Environmental
Sciences. Its main purpose is to inform
alumni and friends about the research,
activities and events of the School of
Social Work and to publish news about
alumni. All rights to reproduction of any
material printed in Social Work Notes
are reserved for the magazine.
On the Cover
Main Photo: Jenna Hinkel, Shanta
Harrington, Daniel Stribling,
Top right: Aaron Thompson, Alpine
Tower Instructor Alexis Privette;
Bottom right: Farah Dabbagh
Inside Cover (to right)
Daniel Stribling
Director’s Message
Greetings from the Mizzou School of Social Work!
Director Marjorie Sable
This issue of Social Work Notes
reflects our activities during
2013. Our cover shows BSW
students at the MU Alpine
Tower where they participated
in a high ropes course as part
of their class on Theory and
Practice of Social Group Work.
Professor Aaron Thompson
took each of his two class
sections to participate in a group
experiential learning activity and
discusses its impact (pp. 10-11).
We celebrate the accomplishments of our wonderful students
(p. 4), alumni (pp. 5-6) and faculty (pp. 9-13). We are proud
of Stanley Remer, MSW ‘68, for winning the Ida Cannon
Award from the Society for Social Work and Leadership in
Health Care—the most prestigious award given by the society
(p. 5). Professor Dale Fitch was honored at the Council on
Social Work Education (CSWE) where he received the 2013
Innovatitve Teaching in Social Work Education Award from
Sage Publications/CSWE (p. 11). Colleen Galambos was elected
as a Fellow of the Gerontology Association of America. Our
faculty members have been busy publishing and presenting their
research and writing grants to fund future research endeavors.
We bid farewell to Karen Woodbury, who retired after 13
years as the Off-Campus Coordinator for North Missouri,
and we welcome Andrea Aderton as the new coordinator
(p. 7). Other program additions include the approval of the
MSW/MPH dual degree in social work and public health (p.
6). The School underwent a visioning process as a first step
in the examination of our curriculum. We sought input from
faculty and field instructors across the state and are using
their input as we revise our curriculum to ensure that our
students are prepared to meet the demands of the changing
marketplace. To address the emerging practice of integrated
health we added two new classes—one on Integrated Health
Practice and another on Integrated Health Policy.
Our 2013 Spring Forum on Social Work and the Affordable
Care Act focused on the Affordable Care Act and new roles for
social workers, including integrated health. The 2013 School
of Social Work Alumni Organization Awards were presented
at the event (p. 8). Our 2013 Fall Conference focused on
Ethical Issues in Mental Health and also on Emerging Trends
in Public Mental Health Systems, and featured presentations
from representatives from the Missouri Department of Mental
Health. These continuing education events are wonderful
opportunities to keep in touch with our alumni and field
instructors while providing continuing education for licensure.
We have been honored to receive several gifts from our
alumni and have launched our I Give Because—Passport
to Giving campaign (pp. 16-17). Please see our website for
more on our Passport donors. We would love to include YOU
among these! We spotlight Elizabeth Engeler Hiestand,
MSW ‘73, who recently endowed a new scholarship for
the School. We have begun a campaign for planned giving
to make it easy for our alumni and friends to make gifts
to the School and hope that you will consider supporting
the School in this way. We are also seeking donations to
renovate a classroom on the 5th floor so that we can hold
larger classes in a state-of-the art classroom in Clark Hall.
We mourn the loss of alumnae Jill Johnson and Meliny Stasya
and MSW student Danielle “Dani” Jones (p. 6). Dani’s classmates
have been fundraising to honor her memory with a gift.
We are always happy to hear from you! Please write,
call, or email us and tell us what you are doing. We’ll put
your news in the next issue of Social Work Notes and in
the Alumni Updates section of our website, www.ssw.
missouri.edu. Please visit our School’s website and go to
our Facebook and LinkedIn pages! We will be providing
updates on our activities and links to pages of interest.
Wishing you the best for a happy,
healthy and peaceful 2014!
Keep in Touch with Online Tools!
Help us and your former classmates keep track of where
you are and what you’ve been up to since graduation.
Please send any updates (i.e. work, family, honors) you’d
like to share with fellow alumni to ssw@missouri.edu. Be
sure to include your name (including maiden name), and
graduation year. See an example of an almuni posting
to the right. And, don’t forget to “like” us on Facebook
at www.facebook.com/MizzouSocialWork and join our group, “University of
Missouri School of Social Work Community”, on LinkedIn.
Social Work Notes | 3
Student News
MedZou is a student-run primary care clinic that has been
providing free care to Columbia’s uninsured community since
the fall of 2008. The clinic is open one evening a week, and is an
important resource for free primary and preventative medical
care. An integral part of the success of this endeavor is the
hours of volunteer time donated by MU students from a variety
of disciplines, including Social Work, Medicine, Nursing,
Pharmacy and Health Administration. It is a great opportunity
for our students to apply classroom lessons in real life.
Courtney Haynes, MSW ’13, in describing her MedZou
experience, wrote “I learned a lot about how few resources exist
for people with no or limited income. I learned that community
mental health has a long
way to go. I learned that the
4-8 week waiting lists for
people without insurance
for mental health is too
long. I learned that I want
to do more to help those
who really need it. Most
importantly, I learned that
taking a few minutes to just
Kim Nolte, MPH, Erin Maynard, MSW
listen to someone can make
‘13, Courtney Haynes, MSW ‘13
a huge difference for that
person…I found myself asking my professors for advice
and really using the experience as a learning tool”.
Abigail Rolbiecki,
MPH, and Assistant
Professor David
Albright are leading
a series of workshops
throughout Missouri
regarding sexual
trauma in the military.
Rolbiecki, who is
pursuing her MSW/
PhD concurrently,
holds a position with the University’s Relationship and
Sexual Violence Prevention (RSVP) center and conducts
research with MU’s Department of Health Sciences. Her
research includes the use of expressive art as a therapy
modality with survivors of rape and domestic violence.
Alicia Adams, MSW ’13, is pictured in front of a mural on
the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where she did her block
placement. She is now employed by Red Cloud High School as
a counselor/social worker.
Adams is coaching the
girls’ golf team and is also
an adjunct professor at the
Oglala Lakota College.
She reports, “I love this
place and all the work I am
doing! I have been blessed
and grown in so many
ways! If you are looking to change your life come and visit or
volunteer for a week out here—it will change you forever”.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
In Chincha, Peru where Mayra G. Canales Sebastian, MSW
‘13, grew up, she had expectations of a career in engineering.
When she decided to study in the U.S., it was to enhance her
English speaking skills in order to pursue that
career. But – as the saying goes – life had
other things in store for her. Her intrepid
spirit led her to relocate to Columbia, Mo.
from Atlanta, Ga. It was here in Columbia
that she discovered an avocation for helping
others that has led her to pursue her MSW in
Social Work. She graduated in May 2013.
Two important stepping stones to her MSW
was meeting Roxana Meneses, Social Worker
at Columbia/Boone County Public Health
and Human Services, who through her
work with Latino families inspired Mayra to become a Social
Worker, and Eduardo Crespi, Director of Centro Latino, who
encouraged her to volunteer at his organization. He knew how
4 | Social Work Notes
valuable it would be for his clients to work with a native speaker
who could help them navigate the world of social services. In
addition to volunteering while an undergraduate student, in
Summer 2012, Mayra spent 400 practicum hours
at Centro Latino as a MSW student. During
this time she was able to work with clients to
build an understanding of what social services
are available to them as well as educating them
in health literacy and the importance of healthy
nutrition. She has been inspired by their
strength and resilience while still recognizing
their need for professional counseling to process
often traumatic experiences and cope with highstress living and work conditions.
Mayra is now working full-time with Love,
INC and ultimately wants to return to Chincha and establish a
NGO to provide services to her community there.
Alumni News
Stanley Remer, MSW ‘68, is the recipient of the 2013 Ida
Cannon Award from the Society for Social Work for Leadership
in Health Care. This is the most
prestigious award given by the
Society. Reemer worked at the the
Veterans Administration Medical
Center in Kansas City from 19842003, moving up the ranks from
Chief, Social Work Service to
Spinal Cord Injury Coordinator to
Transition Team Supervisor. Remer’s
leadership in the profession was
recognized by our School of Social
Work in 1991, when he received the Agency Administrator of the
Year Award. He also served as a field instructor for MU students.
Stan now lives in Virginia and is a retired colonel with the U.S.
Army Reserves.
Patrick Kane, BS ‘70, MSW ’74, currently a Psychotherapist
and Counselor at Heartland Center for Men and Women in
Columbia, was awarded the 2013 Outstanding Volunteer in
Community Protection award at the Columbia Daily Tribune’s
annual Hero Awards ceremony.
Leanne Peace, MSW ‘90, LCSW, MHA, is Director of the
Missouri Kidney Program (MoKP). She is the National Chair
of the Council of Nephrology Social Work, and served on the
Interim Committee of Citizens and Legislators Work Group
on Medicaid Eligibility and Reform. Under her leadership
the MoKP recently received two grants: Human Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA) Sub-Awardee of the
Social and Behavioral Interventions to Increase Solid Organ
Donation Grant, entitled “Improving Low-Income ESRD
Patients’ Transplant Knowledge: A Case Management Trial”,
2013 to 2016 as well as the Federal Navigator Grant SubAwardee, to educate uninsured kidney patients in Mo. about
the new insurance opportunities under American Counseling
Association .
Christina Penn, MSW ‘06, and Kyle Lestina, BSW ’10,
married in September 2013. She is a social worker at Ellis
Fischel Cancer Center, while he is working in the Columbia
Public School System.
Carmen Washington, BSW ‘06, MPH, MSW, is Research
Program Manager at the Institute for Global Tobacco Control,
Bloomberg School of Public Health, at Johns Hopkins
University. She is leading the development of a surveillance
system for tobacco product packaging
in fourteen countries. In this capacity
she is responsible for the development,
implementation, and management of
all data collection and maintenance,
and collaborative communication
with country partners. Washinton
previously worked as an Evaluation
Specialist at the University of Illinois
at Chicago, for the Centers for Disease
Control’s “Communities Putting
Prevention to Work” grant, evaluating
the City of Chicago’s tobacco policies. She also has experience
working in Rwanda and South Africa conducting communitybased evaluation and research. Washington holds both Master
of Public Health and Master of Social Work degrees from the
University of Washington.
Megan Mooney, MSW ’09, hosted a Death Café in St. Joseph
in June, 2013, as cited in the NYT, providing a comfortable
zone for 19 participants to discuss their concepts, fears,
anxietites, expectations of death.
Julie Dorn, BSW ‘91, joined the MU Sinclair School of
Nursing as their Director of Development in January 2013.
Christina Moore, BSW ’95,
received the 2012-2013 Chapel
Hill-Carrboro City School
District’s Exceptional Children
and Student Services Staff Member
of the Year Award. Moore is a
social worker at Smith Middle
School in Carrboro, NC. She
lives in Chapel Hill, NC, with her
husband, Joe Kinder, and their
two sons. She received her MSW
from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.
Kecia Nelson, MSW ’01 (left), Allison Finn, MSW ’12
(center), and Ashley Gage, MSW ’09 (right), presented a
poster entitled “Beads for Breath: Impact of an Art in Health
Program on Coping and Adherence in Children Living With
Cystic Fibrosis” at the National Cystic Fibrosis Conference
in Tampa, Florida in October, 2012. Nelson and Finn are
social workers at the MU Children’s Hospital. Gage is a PhD
student in the School and also works as a Senior Research
Specialist on the Hospice Caregiver Research Study grant
with principal investigator Debra Oliver, PhD, MSW ’85,
in the Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Social Work Notes | 5
Alumni News - (cont’d)
Kam Phillips, BSW ’11, continues to serve as CEO of Dream
Outside the Box (DOTB), an
agency she created while at
MU. DOTB mobilizes college
students to engage children in
innovative experiences, and to
create memorable opportunities
to propel little dreamers toward
higher education. Phillips also
works as an outreach coordinator
for Texas State Senator Wendy Davis. She returned to MU to
give the keynote address at the Griffiths Society meeting on
November 15, 2013.
Jessica Back, MSW ’11, and husband
Ryan Back, had a son, Gavin Edward Back
born March 11, 2013. Jessie is a social
worker at Tiger Place in Columbia where
she also serves as a research team member
with the Sinclair School of Nursing.
Sara Zuccarello, BSW ‘12, MSW ’13, has achieved her
Provisional Clinical Social Worker status and started at the
Peak Wellness Center for Your and Family in Wyoming, where
she is an Intensive Community Based Family Therapist.
Michelle L. Kaiser, PhD
‘11, MSW, MPH ‘11, is
an Assistant Professor at
the Ohio State University.
She is pictured hosting a
screening of the film, “A
Place at the Table,” and a
panel discussion at OSU.
There were representatives from urban agriculture programs,
child nutrition and gardening programs, food banks, and
food pantries discussing a number of social, environmental,
and public health issues associated with food. Kaiser is a
PI on several interdisciplinary community-university foodrelated projects and serves on the board of Franklinton
Gardens, where she and her students conduct research.
Picture Yourself Here!
You could be in the next issue! Help us and your former
classmates keep track of where you are and what you’ve
been up to since graduation. Send any accomplishements
you’d like to share to ssw@missouri.edu. Be sure to “like”
us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MizzouSocialWork
and join our LinkedIn group, “University of Missouri
School of Social Work Community”.
In Memoriam
Jill T. Johnson, MSW ‘00, passed away
on January 20, 2013. Johnson worked as
a licensed clinical social worker in Boise,
Idaho and Seattle, Wash., returning to
Missouri in 2009. She battled Hodgkin’s
Lymphoma for many years, becoming
involved with patient advocacy issues and
the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Danielle Renee “Dani” Jones, died
on October 29, 2013. Jones was just
beginning her MSW program. Her
classmates have begun collecting funds
to establish a scholarship in her honor. If
you would like to make a donation, please
contact the School.
Meliny Staysa, MSW ’02, died on
December 10, 2013. Staysa was the
Director of Quality Assurance for
the Children’s Division, Missouri
Department of Social Services and
was the liaison between the Children’s
Division and the School of Social Work
for the Title IV-E training grant.
6 | Social Work Notes
Introducing:
MSW/MPH
Dual Degree Program
3 Years A dual degree program allows students to
complete two Masters degrees in less time by allowing
shared credit between programs. The MSW/MPH dual
program can reduce your length of study by one full year
(24-27 credit hours).
2 Degrees
Students can earn a Master of Social
Work (MSW) and a Master of Public Health (MPH) with
an emphasis on Health Promotion and Policy.
1 Bright Future
Graduates of the dual degree
will be well-positioned to find employment as a health
policy advocate, health agency administrator or in an
integrated behavioral health setting as care managers,
health coach, patient advocate, counselor or team leader.
Students will apply separately to each program
and be admitted to both programs before they are
accepted as a dual degree student. For more details,
visit ssw.missouri.edu/msw_dual.html.
Program Spotlights
NORTH MISSOURI OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAM WELCOMES NEW COORDINATOR
Karen Woodbury, BSW ‘78, MSW ‘81, retired in July after
serving for 13 years as Coordinator of the Off-Campus MSW
program in North Missouri. In addition to coordinating the
program, Woodbury taught graduate classes in person, via
ITV and on-line. She also served as advisor and practicum
coordinator for the program’s MSW students. This program
included students from St. Joseph, Kansas City, and the
surrounding area and from Illinois to Kansas and Iowa. The
program originally served Northwest Missouri, but was expanded
to include all of north Missouri. While we are saddened by her
departure, we wish her the best in her retirement. Woodbury
will continue to serve on the School’s Development Council.
Andrea Aderton, MSW ‘09, LMSW, joined the faculty in
July, 2013 as the new North Missouri Off-Campus Program
Coordinator. A 2009 graduate
of the Off-Campus Program
herself, she brings over 30 years
of experience in social service
practice and administration. Her
background includes experience
in child welfare, program and
policy development, and mental
health with a primary focus on
children and family interventions.
Through her work experience,
she recognizes the current shortage of social workers in
- F I E L D
Left to Right: Linda Hillemann (Off-Campus Program Coordinator for South), Professor
Marty Markward, Karen Woodbury (departing Off-Campus Program Coordinator for
Northwest), and Dr. Dianne Orton
rural areas and across the state as well as an increasing
demand for social work professionals in coming years.
Aderton’s first priority is recruiting prospective students
into the MSW off-campus program to enhance professional
development and respond to work-force needs. As Karen
Woodbury did, Aderton is simultaneously serving as advisor
and faculty liaison to the program’s students who have regular
and advanced standing. Aderton reports that she is finding
the work with her students to be a tremendously positive
experience as she watches them increase their knowledge and
skills, which ultimately improves the quality of service provided
to the communities of the northern region of our state.
I N S T R U C TO R
AWAR D S
-
Top: Susan Schopflin, MSW ‘95, received the 2013 MSW Field
Instructor Award (clinical track) on May 3, 2013. Schopflin is the
Director of Quality Care-Health Care Home at Compass Health/
Pathways/Family Counseling Center of Missouri. She is pictured
with her student nominators, Rebekah Hartsock, MSW ‘13
(left), and Katia Bressette, MSW ’13 (right). Hartsock now
works at the agency and Bresette is in private practice.
Bottom left: BSW Field Coordinator Christine Woods, MSW
‘02, presents the 2013 BSW Field Instructor Award to Claire
Slama, BSW ’06, MSW ’10, on December 6, 2013. Slama is
the Director of the emergency teen shelter at Rainbow House in
Columbia, Mo.
Bottom right: Michelle Trupiano (left) received the
2013 MSW Field Instructor Award (policy, planning and
administration track) on May 3, 2013. Trupiano was previously
the Statewide Manager of Government Affairs for Planned
Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri (PPKM) and is
now the Director of the Missouri Medicaid Coalition. She is
pictured with her student nominator, Martha Stevens, MSW
‘13. Stevens is now a Community Organizer for PPKM.
Social Work Notes | 7
2013 SSWAO Awards
Outstanding BSW Student
The Outstanding BSW Student for 2013 went to Antaniece
Sills, BSW ’13, who throughout her career at MU School of
Social Work was known for her great work ethic and the way
in which she provided service and leadership to her academic
community. The National Assoication for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP) also awarded Sills for her service
to the organization in 2013. She gained additional skills and
knowledge in the MU McNair Scholars program, conducting
research into the influence of parenting on academic success.
Her efforts in this research project earned her an assistanceship
last summer at the
University of Michigan.
Antaniece is teaching in
St. Louis with “Teach for
America” prior to going
to graduate school.
Outstanding MSW Student
Dan Lester, MSW ’13, is known to be thoughtful, sharp, and
creative. He supported Clark Peters as a research assistant,
demonstrating skill in both qualitative and quantitative analyses
and co-authored with Peters a paper examining Medicaid
access for foster youths. According to Peters, “Dan impresses
me with his knowledge, skill, and dedication to his work. I’m
confident that his talents will only shine brighter in the future”.
Outstanding Alumni Award
The accomplished
careers of Teresa TitusHoward, MSW ‘93, and
Don Howard, MSW
‘94, illustrate just how
boundless an MSW degree
truly is, with varied and
distinguished careers in
Outstanding Teacher
the field of Social Work.
Adjunct Professor
Titus-Howard is currently
Jennifer Carter Dochler,
working at the Center for
MSW ‘02, teaches
Medicare and Medicaid
“Contemporary Issues in
Innovation Center as
Domestic Violence”. She
a senior leader and as
also works as an advocate
deputy group director
at the Missouri Coalition
for the Learning and
against Domestic and
Diffusion Group. Her
Sexual Violence. Carter
responsibilities include
Dochler is described
initiating and leading
by her students as a
a broad set of national
“master, not only in
health care reforms.
the craft of instruction
Seated:
Dan
Lester,
Antaniece
Sills,
Mustapha
Al
Hassan;
Standing:
Jennifer
Carter
Dochler,
Howard is currently
and management, but
Susan Schopflin, Don Howard, Teresa Titus-Howard
working in the Center for
also in inspiring students
Clinical Standards and Quality where he is a health insurance
to come to their own respect and motivation towards
specialist responsible for the national implementation of
the cause”. She was recognized for her ability to help her
the Hospital Value-based Purchasing Program at CMS.
students gain both broad and deep understanding of the
historical and cultural contexts of interpersonal violence on
Outstanding Social Services Agency
many levels and present in many different populations.
The Family Counseling Center (FCC) received the award
for Outstanding Social Services Agency. The School of
Outstanding PhD Student
Social Work routinely places students with the outpatient
Mustapha Alhassan, MSW, Ph D ’13, served for three years
Pathways Clinics in Jefferson City and is currently planning
as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and Graduate Instructor.
for placements in the Columbia Pathways Adolescent Drug
Alhassan’s dissertation, “Providing for the Needs of Victims of
Treatment facility, with whom FCC merged earlier in the year.
Human Trafficking under the Trafficking Victims Protection
Students consistently rave over the quality of work experience
Act (TVPA) of 2000: The experiences of service providers in
and the quality of supervision offered. There are few agencies
Missouri and Kansas,” will provide important information
where students can carry a counseling caseload with some
for improving services to victims of human trafficking.
measure of independence, so we rely on the FCC for those
Alhassan is undertaking a very important endeavor in seeking
students who are ready for this step in their block placements.
to understand more about the unmet need for services to
Howard’s parents, Don and Nancy Howard, started Family
this population and to affect public policy regarding service
Counseling Center in the 1980’s. Susan Schopflin, MSW ‘95,
provision for human trafficking victims.
acccepted the award on behalf of the Family Counseling Center.
8 | Social Work Notes
Research Spotlights
Kelli Canada is currently engaged in
research that focuses primarily on veterans
in corrections and treatment court. She is
examining factors that contribute to the
criminal justice involvement of the veterans
of Missouri. The purpose of the project
is to gain an understanding of the unique
factors that contribute to veterans’ criminal
justice involvement in order to develop preventative strategies
to prevent veterans from entering the criminal justice system
and a tool to evaluate the effectiveness of existing interventions
for veterans. She also works with the Veterans Treatment Court
(VTC) to establish a research plan to measure the effectiveness
and impact of the VTC on veterans here in Boone County.
Colleen Galambos was elected Fellow of the Gerontological
Society of America in 2013. She
continues her work as Co-Investigator
on a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services initiative to reduce unnecessary
hospitalizations. She is examining
the impact of advance directives and
advance care planning on transitions,
care transitions processes, family and
hospital communications, and psychosocial care in skilled
nursing facilities. Galambos is also a Co-Investigator on an
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) grant
that is examining the impact of the use of Re-Engineered
Discharge (RED) in discharges of residents from skilled
nursing facilities to the home. Active in gerontechnology
research to assist older adults to age-in-place, she is CoInvestigator on an NIH grant that is developing sensor
technology for fall risk detection. She is active in assisting
in the development of an I-70 corridor research network
to promote education and research in gerontology.
effects of parent and child emergent literacy interactions.
Thompson also oversees a national survey to examine
practice-based strategies and evaluation methods used by
social workers engaged in school-based mental health.
Leigh Tenkku, SSW’s Director of
Research, is facilitating the CDCfunded Midwest Regional Fetal Alcohol
Syndrome Training Centers (MRFASTC)
which has been funded since 2002.
The MRFASTC program is one of
five regional Fetal Alcohol Specturm
Disorder (FASD) training centers and
includes 19 states, making it the largest
training center in the country. In this
program, each state has its own MRFASTC satellite team
charged with the education and training of medical and allied
health providers, faculty and students, along with a wide
range of health and education professionals who may provide
services to children and young adults who have either been
diagnosed with fetal alcohol exposure or are suspected of
having been exposed to alcohol in utero. This study was one
of two projects funded by the CDC to design, implement
and test youth and young adults diagnosed with FASDs.
Tenkku is also the Private Investigator for the Partners for
Success (PFS) Intervention for Youth and Young Adults with
FASDs. She is currently working with Dan Vinson and
Bruce Horwitz at the MU School of Medicine to evaluate the
impact and outcomes of the Alcohol and Drug Education in
Prevention and Treatment (ADEPT), a program that trained
MU physicians and residents to conduct Screening, Brief
Intervention, and Referral Treatment (SBIRT) in primary
care clinics. Tenkku is woking with the MU Student Wellness
Center to conduct screening and brief intervention for alcohol
use among college students using an experimental design.
Clark Peters was excited to develop a
new course this semester, Law and Social
Work Practice, available to undergraduate
and graduate students. He has continued
his research examining youths involved
in the child welfare system, examining
participation in court and administrative
hearings, and efforts to ease their
transition to adulthood.
Aaron Thompson is working on several
projects that examine the feasibility of
an assessment-driven social-emotional
learning intervention system for children
ages newborn to eight years old and
the effectiveness of a community-wide
book distribution program on the
From Left to Right: Dean Stephen Jorgensen, Director of SSW Marjorie Sable, Assoc.
Res. Prof. Leigh Tenkku, Columbia Mayor Bob McDavid in front of the South Porch of
Jesse Hall on 9/9 International Day of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness
Social Work Notes | 9
Teaching Spotlights
Left to right: Cynthia Erwin, Katherine Obermark
Top row from left: Aaron Thompson, Tre Long, Daniel Stribling, Carly Voloto, Amanda Sullivan, Cassady
Lesniak, Courtney Walker; Bottom row from left: Shanta Harrinton, Deloris Matthews, Farah Dabbagh,
Jenna Hinkel, Kim Mueckl
Scaling New Heights!
A
ssistant Professor Aaron Thompson has
literally raised the bar in his Theory and Practice
of Social Group Work classes. In addition to self-directed
learning and cooperative, problem-based learning strategies
interspersed with traditional lectures, Thompson provided
unique experiential learning techniques to his BSW students.
These included mindfulness meditation techniques, as
well as a ropes course at the University’s AlpineTower.
According to Thompson, “The ropes course was a crucial
tool in demonstrating how adventure therapy can be a mode
of treatment for individuals and groups.” He successfully
accomplished this goal with his students as documented in selfreported increased student awareness, perceived competencies,
and knowledge of using adventure therapy approaches for
group process, assessed in pre- and post-course surveys.
When it came time to harness up, about one quarter of the
students expressed a real reluctance in starting the climb,
yet this was overcome by youthful exuberance buoyed by
Thompson’s willingness to scale the heights himself – one
10 | Social Work Notes
time blindfolded, to provide the experienced climbing assistant
professor with his own challenge. When asked why he used
the alpine tower in his class, Thompson stated, “Providing
structured experiences that target course objectives through
an active learning approach results in a deeper understanding
of concepts, beyond what can be provided in a classroom
setting. Using such pedagogical approach makes it more
likely that we can successfully achieve course objectives.”
Thompson’s vision of what it means to teach and educate at
the University level is informed by the practical experience
he gained in the public education system as a teacher and
principal. In addition to teaching, he also conducts research
that is focused on effective, implementable and sustainable
policy changes intended to impact the children and families
of communities state-wide. In this weave of pedagogy and
research, Thompson is providing our students with the thrill
of learning in such a way that the lessons our students take into
the field with them will remain with them as they grow into
their profession. Thompson plans to continue using mindfulness
meditation techniques and the ropes courses in his classes.
Left to right: Karis Laudel, Erynn Crawford
Left to right: Emily Dowell, Kelsey Palmquist, Hayden Ponsar, Erynn Crawford, Marta
Porberts, Jennifer Tunink
Rachel Holland
“This high ropes course opened up my eyes to how building relationships
and trust can be achieved by working together in a phyically challenging
setting... Being able to get out of the classroom and experience this
activity has completely changed my views of experiential therapy.”
-Justin Grubb
Justin Grubb
Left to right: Hayden Ponsar, Katherine Obermark, Alpine Tower
Instructor Alexis Privette, Marta Roberts
Top row from left: Aaron Thompson, Justin Grubb, Rachel Holland, Hayden Ponsar, Andrew Collins; Middle row
from left: Kelly Gross, Erynn Crawford, Kelsey Palmquist, Marta Roberts, Emily Dowell, Jennifer Tunink; Bottom
row from left: Karis Laudel, Katherine Obermark, Cynthia Erwin
Dale Fitch Receives 2013 Sage Award
On September 6, 2013 SAGE Publications and Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
proudly announced that our own Dale Fitch was one of two recipients of the 2013 SAGE/
CSWE Award for Innovative Teaching in Social Work Education. Fitch was presented with
the award at the Annual Planning Meeting in Dallas on November 2, 2013. His evaluation
of ePortfolios, which led to a curriculum assessment as well as student demonstration of
Dale Fitch (far right) with James P. Canfield and
integrative and reflective learning, earned him this honor. This award was established
Dana Harley from Northern Kentucky University,
in 2012 to honor and recognize innovative teaching in social work education.
who also received the award
Social Work Notes | 11
Selected Faculty Publications & Presentations
Publications
Anderson, Kim M. (2012). Assessing
strengths: Identifying acts of resistance to
violence and oppression. In D. Saleebey
(Ed.), The strengths perspective in social
work practice (3rd ed.). Boston, MA:
Pearson, 182-202.
driving cessation affects engagement in
later life. The Gerontologist.
Curl, Angela L., & Townsend, A. L.
(2013). A Multilevel Dyadic Study of the
Impact of Retirement on self-rated health:
Does retirement predict worse health in
married couples? Research on Aging.
Anderson, Kim M., & Bang, E. (2012)
Assessing PTSD and resilience for females
who during childhood were exposed to
domestic violence. Child & Family Social
Work, 17, 55-65.
Curl, Angela L., & Ingram, J. G. (2013).
Anticipatory socialization for retirement:
A multilevel dyadic model. Clinical
Gerontologist, 36(4), 375-393.
Anderson, Kim M., Renner, L.M., &
Danis, F.S. (2012) Recovery: Resilience
and growth in the aftermath of domestic
violence. Violence Against Women, 18(11),
1279-1299.
Galambos, Colleen, & Curl, Angela
L. (2013). Developing gerontological
competency: A curriculum approach.
Gerontology & Geriatrics Education, 34(3),
309-321.
Canada, Kelli E., & Watson, A. C. (2013).
“’Cause everybody likes to be treated
good”: Perceptions of procedural justice
among mental health court participants.
American Behavioral Scientist, 57(2), 209230.
Galambos, Colleen. (2013). Health care
overview. In Encyclopedia of social work. New
York, NY: Oxford Press.
Canada, Kelli E. & Gunn, A. (2013).
What factors work in mental health
court?: A consumer perspective. Journal of
Offender Rehabilitation, 52(5), 311-337.
Rantz, M., Skubic, M.; Miller, S.J.,
Galambos, Colleen, Alexander, G.;
Keller, J., & Popescu M. (2013). Sensor
technology to support aging in place.
Journal of the American Medical Director’s
Association, 14(6), 386-391.
Elkin, I., Falconnier, L., Smith, Y.,
Canada, Kelli E., Henderson, E., Brown,
E. R., & McKay, B. M. (2013). Therapist
responsiveness and patient engagement in
therapy. Psychotherapy Research, 1-15.
Rantz, M.; Skubic, M.; Abbott, C.;
Galambos, Colleen; Pak, Y.; Ho, D.;
Stone, E.; Rui, L.; Back, J.; Miller, S.
(2013). In-home fall risk assessment
and detection sensor system. Journal of
Gerontological Nursing, 39(7), 18-22.
Canada, Kelli. E., Engstrom, M., &
Jang, E. (in press). Psychosocial and reincarceration risks among older adults in
mental health courts. American Journal of
Geriatric Psychiatry.
Fitch, Dale K., Kaiser, M., & ParkerBarua, Laura (2012). Student, curricular
and public agency needs: A focus on
competency achievement. Systemic Practice
and Action Research, 25(5), 417-439.
Epperson, M. W., Canada, Kelli. E.,
Thompson, J., & Lurigio, A. J. (in
press). Walking the line: Specialized and
standard probation officer perspectives
on supervising probationers with serious
mental illnesses. International Journal of
Law & Psychiatry.
Chang, C. Kelly, Michael J. and Kyonne,
J. (2013). The quality of life in idealtypical welfare regimes: The case of the
Republic of Korea. The International
Journal of Continuing Social Work Education,
16(2), 65-68.
Canada, Kelli E. (in press). “People,
places and things”: Network factors matter
in the experiences of mental health court
participants. Journal of Forensic Social Work.
Curl, Angela L., Stowe, James D.,
Cooney, Teresa M., & Proulx, Christine
M. (2013). Giving up the keys: How
12 | Social Work Notes
Kaiser, M. and Kelly, Michael J. (2013).
The fragile U.S. industrial food system.
The International Journal of Continuing
Social Work Education, 16(1), 49-55.
Thompson, Aaron M. (2013).
Randomized trial of the Self-management
Training And Regulation Strategy
(STARS) disruptive students. Research on
Social Work Practice.
Thompson, Aaron M., Ruhr, L. R.,
Maynard, B. R., Pelts, M., & Bowen, N.
K. (2013). Self-management interventions
for reducing challenging behaviors among
school-age students: A systematic review.
Campbell Collaboration, Review Protocol.
Edwards, J. E., Powers, J. D., Thompson,
Aaron M., Rutten-Turner, B. (in press).
The value of teaching preparation during
doctoral studies: Student and mentor
perspectives of a teaching practicum.
Academic Leadership.
Thompson, Aaron M. (in press)
The Self-Management Training And
Regulation Strategy (STARS). A selective
social work intervention to address
disruptive classroom behaviors. In P. A.
Meares (Ed.), Social work desk reference,
(2nd ed). New York: Oxford University
Press.
Maynard, B. R., Kjellstrand, E. &
Thompson, Aaron M. (2013). A
randomized trial of the effects of Check
n’ Connect on dropout and academic
performance. Research on Social Work
Practice.
Fraser, M. W., Thompson, Aaron M.,
Day, S. H. & Macy, R. J. (in press). A latent
profile transition analysis of third grade
students exposed to the Making Choices
Program. Elementary School Journal.
Thompson, Aaron M., & Alvarez, M.
(2013). Considerations for integrating
school resource officers into school-based
mental health models. Children & Schools,
35, 131-136.
Powers, J. D., & Thompson, Aaron M.
(2013). Evidence-based programs for
schools: Relationships between effect sizes
and resource requirements. Journal of
Evidence-Based Social Work, 299-307.
Thompson, Aaron M., Maynard, B.
R., Bowen, N. K., & Pelts, M. (2013,
March). Self-management interventions
for reducing challenging behaviors among
school-age students: A systematic review.
Campbell Collaboration, Title Proposal.
Yu, Mansoo, & Fischer, R. (2013).
Addictions: Tobacco. In Encyclopedia of
Social Work Online. http://socialwork.
oxfordre.com/
Pitner, R.O., Yu, Mansoo, & Brown, E.
(2013). Which factor has more impact? An
examination of the effects of income level,
perceived neighborhood disorder, and
crime on community care and vigilance
among low-income African American
residents. Race and Social Problems, 5(1),
57-64.
Edmond, T., Bowland, S., & Yu, Mansoo
(2013). Use of mental health services by
survivors of intimate partner violence,
Social Work in Mental Health. 11(1), 34-54.
Presentations
Canada, K. E. (2013, January).
Symposium organizer. Mental illness and
the criminal justice system: Factors influencing
outcomes. Presented at the Society for
Social Work and Research, San Diego,
Calif.
Canada, K. E. (2013, January). An
exploration of networks among people with
serious mental illnesses in the criminal justice
system. Presented at the Society for Social
Work and Research, San Diego, Calif.
Canada, K. E. (2013, July). An exploration
of networks among people with serious
mental illnesses in the criminal justice system. Presented at the International Academy
of Law and Menta Health, Amsterdam,
Netherlands.
Canada, K. E. (2013, July). The
working relationship and mental health
court participation. Presented at the
International Academy of Law and Mental
Health, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Canada, K.E. & Hiday, V. (2013,
November). Procedural justice in mental
health courts. Presented at the American
Society of Criminology, Atlanta, Ga.
Peters, Clark M., Litton, P., Buss, E., &
Price M. (2013, March). Moral and policy
considerations for juvenile justice. Presented
at The Ramifications of Miller v. Alabama
for Sentencing Law and Juvenile Crime
Policy, Columbia, Mo.
Peters, Clark M. (2013, January).
Perspectives on the financial lives and savings
of foster youths participating in an assetbuilding program. Presented at the Society
for Social work and Research Annual
Conference, San Diego, Calif.
Bowen, N. K., Thompson, Aaron M.,
& Powers, J. D. (2013, February). Positive
school-Level effects of the Elementary
School Success Profile Model of Assessment
& Prevention. Paper submitted to
the National Association of School
Psychologists.
Bowen, N. K, Thompson, Aaron M,
& Powers, J. D. (2013, January). Quasiexperimental test of the Elementary School
Success Profile Model of Assessment &
Prevention: Empowering stakeholders to
improve academic success. Paper submitted
to the 17th Annual Society for Social Work
and Research, San Diego, Calif.
Thompson, Aaron M. (2013, October).
Regression discontinuity: A great idea
with a terrible name. Presentation for
The Missouri Prevention Center, The
University of Missouri, Columbia, Mo.
Thompson, Aaron M. (2013, May). The
Self-monitoring Training and Regulation
Strategies (STARS): A progress monitoring
and autonomy support intervention. School
Social Work Association of America.
Webinar posted to https://umconnect.
umn.edu/p26217564/ Thompson, Aaron. M. (2013, April).
The Self-management Training and
Regulation Strategy (STARS): From
conceptualization to dissemination.
Presentation for The Missouri Prevention
Center, The University of Missouri,
Columbia, Mo.
Yu, Mtansoo, Pitner, R.O., & Olate, R.
(2013, January). Correlates of the Length of
Quitting Among Adolescent Regular Smokers:
Findings from a National Study. Presented
at the Society for Social work and
Research Annual Conference, San Diego,
Calif.
Olate, R., Yu, Mansoo, Vaughn, M. (2013,
January). The Drugs-crime Cycles in Crossnational Perspective: High Risk and Ganginvolved Youth in Boston and San Salvador.
Presented at the Society for Social work
and Research Annual Conference, San
Diego, Calif.
Pitner, R. O., Wiggins, E., Hastie, S.,
Wang, K, & Yu, Mansoo (2013, June).
Assessing the threshold for neighborhood
resilience. Presented at the biennial meeting
of the Society for Community Research and
Action (SCRA), Miami, Fla.
Pitner, R. O., Wiggins, E., Hastie, S.,
Wang, K, & Yu, Mansoo (2013, July)
Mapping neighborhoods for crime and
ownership. Presented at 121st annual
meeting of the American Psychological
Association (APA), Honolulu, Hawaii.
Pitner, R. O., Wiggins, E., Hastie,
S., Wang, K, & Yu, Mansoo. (2013,
November). Examining the threshold
for neighborhood ownership and crime.
Presented at the 141st annual meeting of
the American Public Health Association
(APHA), Boston, Mass.
Beckmeyer, J., & Yu, Mansoo. (2013,
November). Middle adolescents’ ATOD
use: Associations with weekday and weekend
unsupervised time with peers and parental
monitoring knowledge. Presented at 141st
annual meeting of the American Public
Health Association (APHA), Boston, Mass.
External Awards
In 2013, SSW faculty brought in
$4.33 million in funding for 12 grants
across 8 state, federal and private
agencies. Highlights include:
Colleen Galambos is currently
working as Co-Investigator on three
grants, funded by the National Institute
for Health, Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services and the US
Department of Health & Human
Services Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality. The studies
focus on improving nursing home care
for the elderly. Funding totals $1.8
million.
Leigh Tenkku is Principal
Investigator on four CDC studies
addressing fetal alcohol spectrum
disorders. Funding totals $1.5 million
Michael Kelly, along with Clark
Peters and Dale Fitch, continue to
administer the MSW Title IV-E child
welfare training program. Funding
totals $1.07 million.
Clark Peters has received $5,000
in funding from America’s Promise
Alliance to map representation of
young people in the Juvenile Court
system.
Social Work Notes | 13
Graduation 2013
BSW Graduates
Eryn Christine Alexander**
Katie Megan Bartek**
Katrina S. Beebe
Thomas Henry Chase IV
Christine Blair Dooley
Taylor Kelly Dukes**
Cynthia Marie Erwin**
Byron S. Fagan
Kelly Elizabeth Gross
Ricki Blair Grossman
Justin Dean Grubb**
Courtney Marie Hall
Abby Elizabeth Harper
Shanta Monique Harrington
Tessa Kei Lok Heung
Jenna Nicole Hinkel**
Rachel Marie Holland**
Katherine Jane Kasserman
Maggie Teresa Kube
Cassady Cristine Lesniak
Kayli Lanet Lovell
Chelsea Monroe Meldrum
Kimberly Marie Mueckl
Lindsey Ann Mueller
Katherine D. Obermark
Heidi Lynn Pfeifer*
Kelsey Ledell Palmquist*
Amy Elizabeth Ricker
Merris Asha Ross
Megan Elizabeth Scanlon**
Antaniece Patrice Sills
Amanda Rachel Sullivan
Jennifer Lynn Tunink
Joshua Caleb Van Zweden
Lily Maureen Dickmann Westrich
Brittani Nicole Williams
Key
In the above list, outstanding seniors
are indicated by bold type and honors
students are indicated by italic type.
*Magna Cum Laude (3.7-3.89 GPA)
**Cum Laude (3.5-3.69 GPA)
MSW Graduates
Alicia A. Adams
Megan Carleen Allsup
Devin Marie Bain
Shelley Eileen Beckley
Katja Elke Bressette
Carmen Nicole Buis
Scott Wayne Buis
Emily Rebecca Bulejski
14 | Social Work Notes
Lauren Susan Masterson
Bobbi J. Burg
Erin Michelle Maynard
Emily Dunlap Burnham
Brian Gerard McAndrew, Jr.
Jennifer Ann Burns
Amanda Angeline McCroskey
Mayra Gabriela Canales Sebastian
Hannah Marie Meyer
Grace Marie Carder
Megan Jo Mooney
Stephenie Lynn Carlson
Dana Jo Mottet
Annelise Elizabeth Carr
Aimee Louise Offutt
Michael R. Cerame
Madeline Claire Ortego
Shea Mallory Colley
Andrea Pfaff
Sonya Daylene Colvin
Danielle Marie Phillips
Jane Elizabeth Cook
Virginia Lynn Rice
Jennifer (Jaay) Cosby
Alyssa N. Rootes
Michelle Lynne Curry
Patricia Dianne Roth
Ashley E. Daniels
Carissa Rachelle Rounkles
Robin E. Dieken
Larry Shawn Sando
Victoria Olivia Dormeyer
Kristen Marie Schmitz
Alicia Christine Dotzler
Samantha Showalter
Katherine R. Drobina
Ashley Yvonne Spence
Addison Eckles
Michelle Dale Standfuss
Sarah Elizabeth Ehrhard
Christine Elizabeth Steele
Kathleen Courtney Engler
Martha M. Stevens
Kelsey Esser
Amber Danielle Thompson
Rachel Jean Evans
Cassandra Ann Thompson
Mary Violet Ford
Devin Diane Utz
Jena Fouraker
Phallin Christine Ward
Melissa Freeman
Jaime Waller
Genevieve Elizabeth Friedmann
Kaylee Elizabeth Western
Laura Ruth Frost
Diane Logan Garritson
Sarah Williams
Melissa Jo Gasper
Stacey Jo Williams
Janele Nicole Gee
Charlotte Norene Williams-Rice
Kathleen Jo Gerding
Crystal Lynn Willson
Whitney Lauren Hamilton
Kimberly Leeann Witten
Tallie Elizabeth Handly
Patti A. Wright
Rebekah E. Hartsock
Christy R. Wyman
Courtney Alexis Haynes
Chelsea Danielle Young
Anna Higley
Sara Lyn Zuccarello
Wendy Jo Hickman
Heather Michelle Hoeflicker
Kerri Jo Hoeflicker
Jennifer Leann Hoernig
Cassie Nicolette Houf
Sheila Dawn Hudson
Dianna Marie Jackson
Tesia Danielle Jordan
Danyel Marie Keller
Maryke Megan Kelley
Rachelle Rena Kropp
Kristin Lange
Jessica L. Laughary
Mary Loring
Rachel S. Lee
Daniel Lester
Spring MSW graduates Martha Stevens and Dan Lester
Amelia Marie Martinez
Fall BSW graduates. Back row, left to right: Lindsay Mueller, Justin Grubb, Kayli Lovell, Kelsey Palmquist, Rachel Holland, Abby Harper, Tom Chase, Lily Westrich, Cassady Leskniak
Front row, left to right: Jenna Hinkel, Kim Mueckl, Cynthia Erwin, Maggie Kube, Amanda Sullivan, Courtney Hall, Jennifer Tunink, Shanta Harrington
MSW graduates Stephenie Carlson and Courtney Haynes
BSW graduates Antaniece Sills and Brittani Williams
Spring MSW graduates Kelsey Esser and Jaay Cosby
PhD Graduates
Mustapha Alhassan
Providing for the Needs of Victims of Human Trafficking Victims
Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000: The Experiences of Service
Providers in Missouri and Kansas
Erica Campbell
Making Space for Criticial Race Therapy within Therapeutic
Settings: Understanding the Significance of Race in Service Racial
and Ethnic Women Minorities
Amanda Keys
Engagment of Geographically Diverse Head Start Families
Jennifer Sledge
Contributing Factors for Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
PhD graduates Erica Campbell, Mustapha Alhassan, and Jennifer Sledge
Vaccination among African American Young Adults
Social Work Notes | 15
Development
PA S S P O R T T O G I V I N G
The School has launched a new advancement campaign, entitled I Give Because… Stories of alumni and friends who have supported
the School are featured in our Passport to Giving. Each story is unique and heartfelt, representing the many ways to give that are
tmeaningful and convenient to donors.
We hope you will consider the School in your gift giving plans. All gifts make a difference and will have a positive impact by
supporting the areas of greatest need at the School. As social workers we know that making a difference matters, no matter how big
or small. We hope to share more stories from our generous donors.
For additional information about the passport campaign and ways to give, visit our web-site at ssw.missouri.edu/whygive.html.
NANCY GRIGGS, MSW ‘76 & DAVE GRIGGS
“I knew since childhood that I would be a Mizzou Tiger — everyone in my
family had been. Dave loved MU from growing up in Columbia. What we
didn’t know is that I would be encouraged by a friend to get my MSW and
that it would open exciting career opportunities for me. When we included
the School of Social Work in our estate planning, it became easy to give
back. In addition to giving generally to the university and the Mizzou
Alumni Association, we specifically donate to the School of Social Work for
the influence it had on our lives.”
FREDDIE AVANT, MSW ‘82
“I give to the School of Social Work because of the significant impact MU had on my
life and those I have touched throughout my career. I have been a social work educator
and practitioner for 31 years. While pursuing my MSW, I grew to love the social work
profession — and as a bonus, I learned much about myself. I discovered a career that
will last a lifetime and a joy that I continue to share with future social workers. As a
result, I give to the annual fund so those who come after me can experience the thrill
of the academic experience and join a profession that truly changes people’s lives.”
PAULA RICHARDS, MSW ‘82
“Working in hospice and as a bereavement
counselor has been my passion for 24 years. My
MSW has helped me walk alongside people who
are grieving and relying on support from
hospice professionals. I am humbled to be in
their homes at such a poignant time of life.
Throughout the years, I have not only given
financially, but have Also mentored students in
field placement and served on the alumni board
and the Professional Advisory Committee.”
16 | Social Work Notes
SALLY SILVERS
“Having friends in the field of social work,
I never thought I would need their
services. When my husband died, a hospice
bereavement counselor came knocking at
my door. Thank goodness I accepted (her)
services. I give back by endowing a
scholarship in the school so that others
will benefit as I did.”
D O N O R S P O T L I G H T : E L I Z A B E T H E N G E L E R H I E S TA N D
Elizabeth Engeler Hiestand, MSSW, ’73,
LCSW acknowledges that her decision for
a career in professional social work came
when she was working as a unit secretary
at the University of Missouri Medical
Center. She was impressed with and
inspired by how a hospital social worker
addressed patient coping and resource
needs. At that time she was completing
an undergraduate degree in psychology
and intrigued with healthcare. To meet
both her interests, she applied to the MU
graduate school of social work with the
hope of becoming a medical social worker.
“I am grateful that my MU graduate
education was forward-thinking, provided excellent knowledge
and skills, emphasized values and gave me the strong foundation
to follow my career dreams. Over 38 years I worked at 6 large
private and public hospitals in 4 states (Missouri, Alaska,
Colorado and California), including 15 years as a medical social
worker and 23 years in managerial positions. Whether I was
working as a clinical social worker, developing new programs or
managing diverse departments, I drew from my rich experience
at MU. Each step along my career path provided meaning and
satisfaction by seeing how people and systems come together,
manage challenges and change and celebrate accomplishments.”
Hiestand cited her block placement as a
highlight of her social work education,
stating that “the block placement invites
students to be more engaged, accountable
and assimilate into the workplace.” She
also credits the School with a “systems
approach curriculum that prepared me
for appreciating the complexities of
organizations and team relationships.
This proved invaluable in all aspects of my
career.” She further states that “the unique
field of social work transcends into all
work and personal interactions. The core
principles, values and scope enable social
workers to function successfully in many
roles within or outside social work.”
Hiestand understands the importance of social workers
and the services they provide. Wanting to honor the social
work profession and help students, she established the
Elizabeth M. Hiestand Scholarship in Social Work to help
graduate students pursue their social work careers.
Hiestand retired in 2012 from a medical center in Southern
California where she held the position of executive
director, behavioral health and clinical social work, and
now enojoys volunteering, gardening, cooking, travel and
enjoying lesiure time to do what feels good and exciting.
Clark 5th Floor
Renovation
We hope to hear the sound of hammers and saws in 2014
as the School begins plans to refurbish a portion of 5th
floor Clark Hall that will feature a new state of the art
classroom and student lounge. Preliminary planning has
been completed and construction will begin after the
School raises the necessary funds for the project. We will
announce the kickoff of the campaign on our website and
through email blasts. We hope our alumni and friends will
embrace our efforts in creating a space that is inviting and
promotes a sense of community that our students deserve.
Social Work Notes | 17
Donors & Social Justice Society
Fellow
Judith A. Davenport
& Joseph Davenport III
Nancy G. Griggs
& David R. Griggs
The Social Justice Society
recognizes alumni and friends
who have made a substantial
commitment of philanthropy
in support of the school.
Distinguished Fellow
William D. Johns
& Carla Waal Johns
Marjorie R. Sable
& George P. Smith
Jennifer Davenport Schroeder
& David Schroeder
Curtis E. Thomsen
Sustaining Member
William J. Burnham
Charles D. Cowger
& Janice Hartman
J. Karren King Crouch
& Thomas T. Crouch
Joanne R. Fulton
Elizabeth M. Hiestand
Dianne J. Orton
& Gordon Howard
Leigh Collier Huesgen
David W. Johns
Morty Lebedun
& Barbara Lebedun
Annual Member
Anita L. Hoffman
& Robert W. Hoffman
Michael J. Kelly
& Kaitlin A. Post
Mariel T. Liggett
& George F. Liggett
Stanley G. Remer
& Sondra S. Remer
Sally K. Silvers
Priscilla A. Maddux
Paul A. Sundet
& Jean A. Sundet
Mary Dunlap Smith
Gary A. Tatlow
J. Wilson Watt
— 2013 Donors —
Harold E. Andrews, III
& Karen Schell Andrews
Jennifer Atkinson
Freddie L. Avant
& Timple Avant
Robert Paul Ballsrud
& Wendy Ballsrud
Alvin Leo Bexten
Joseph G. Bock
& Susan Andrea Lyke
Richard Boettcher
David S. Boxerman
Anita K. Brown
Richard Caplan
& Fredda E. Caplan
Barbara L. Charde
Samuel G. Conant
Charles Cowger
& Janice Hartman
Susan K. Gaarder
Grand Cru Restaurnat
Franklin L. Hall
& Geraldine Hall
Fordyce W. Mitchel II
& Jane Mitchel
Marjorie R. Sable
& George P. Smith
Lois Ann Hardin
Sheryl Mitchler
& Steven C. Mitchler
Sarah Louise Sorem
Steven A. Hemmann
& Suzanne Hemmann
Elizabeth M. Hiestand
Anita L. Hoffman
& Robert W. Hoffman
Sarah Hoffmeier
Deanna C. Hampton Hudson
Diana Rose Irving
Wesley W. Jenkins
Dale E. Jirik
Peggy L. Johnson
Amy Jones
Ronelle Neperud
& Robert A. Neperud
Kimberlee K. Oliver
Dianne J. Orton
& Gordon Howard
Curtiss R. Petrek
& Joyce A. Petrek
Michael J. Kelly
& Kaitlin Ayn Post
Daryl W. Raithel
& Lori Raithel
Geraldine Ann Rauch
Charlene Patten Kearney
Stanleyt G. Remer
& Sondra S. Remer
Harlan Dubansky
& Shirley Dubansky
Margaret A. Kirby
& John S. Larkin
Paula S. Richards
& Wayne Richards
Carol Jean Engel
Morty Lebedun
& Barbara Lebedun
Ellen Caryll Rittenhouse
Bambi Jill Fisher
& Simon J. Baigelman
Rebekah Ann Freese
Carolyn Jean Freiburg
Sharyn Lee Fry
Joanne R. Fulton
18 | Social Work Notes
Sally K. Silvers
Barbara Martinez-Neudecker
& Raymond R. Neudecker
Thomas W. Lezon
& Sara J. Lezon
Richard Holmes Ludwig
Martha A. MacCracken
Valarye K. Martin
& Kenneth F. Martin
Stephen L. Roling
& Judith Roling
Kristina Marie Schmidt
Schwab Fund for Charitable Giving
Aneisa L. Sherrill-Mattox
Sara L. Silvers
Janice E. Spence
& Edward Spence
Owen D. Sperry
& Carol Sperry
Holly Staley
Paul Anthony Sundet
& Jean A. Sundet
Walter H. Swetnam
Gary A. Tatlow
Lael Powers Von Holt
Marcia R. Walker
& Charles D. Walker
Elaine E. Wehnes
& Richard Wehnes
Barbara Lorraine Wells
Roy L. Wheeler
& Roberta D. Wheeler
Robin R. Wingo
Suzanne M. Zerwig
Alumni Organization
To All School of Social Work Alumni – Greetings!
What an exciting time to be a social worker: our profession is being impacted by many
changes, among them the Affordable Care Act and the final version of the DSM IV. No
doubt each of us have been affected in some way, professionally and personally, by these
new developments. The School of Social Work Alumni Board (SSWAB) is
also experiencing some changes. After serving for two
years as President of the Board, I will be stepping aside as
the new year begins. The Board will maintain its focus
on connecting students and alumni, honoring professional
achievements, and promoting membership by electing
someone who will continue leadership on these fronts.
In the Spring 2013, the Board held a successful
networking event at The Heidelberg in Columbia after
the School’s annual Spring Forum. Our goal was to
create an opportunity for current students to interact and
make connections with Alumni that will serve them throughout their careers. In the same
vein, the fall conference was a speed networking event with current students and Alumni. The evening included making and eating caramel apples which created an opportunity
for the School’s students to spend time with those already working in the areas of health,
mental health, school social work, and adoption. The relaxed environment was conducive
to the students to ask detailed questions about the field. Be sure to check your e-mail
regarding information for another event being planned for Spring 2014!
As in the past, the SSWAB was proud to recognize the achievements of our award
recipients at the 2013 Spring Forum. We depend on our alumni to alert us to the
activities and accomplishments of students, faculty, agency or other alumni, which merit
the honor of public recognition through an important or outstanding contribution to
our profession. Please consider submitting a nomination for an alumni award. See ssw.
missouri.edu/awards for more information or contact Patricia Fisher, e-mail fisherpm@
missouri.edu or 573-882-4447. The Board would also like to acknowledge the entire SSWAO membership
for continuing to grow! If you would like to join us in honoring, supporting
and connecting students and alumni, please consider membership in the
SSWAO or SSWAB. Membership applications are available at Mizzou.com/
joinsocialworkalumni. Using this link ensures that a portion of your dues goes direction
to the SWWAO and that you will be included on our list of contacts for future events
and outreach. For one price, you will be a member of the Mizzou Alumni Association,
SSWAO, and your local chapter. Membership provides you with special discounts, school
updates, the annual wall calendar, and connections to Mizzou graduates. If you have any questions about the SSWAO or how to become involved, please contact
Patricia Fisher, SSW executive staff assistant, at the information listed above. Go Social Work Tigers!
Andrea Reynolds, BSW ‘06
SSWAO President
Alumni Board
President
Andrea Shaw Reynolds, BSW ‘06, MSW
President-Elect
Stephen Hick, MSW ‘04
Secretary/Treasurer
Lacey Prater, MSW ‘08
Past President
Danica Wolf, BSW ‘09, MSW ‘10
Director, MU SSW
Marjorie Sable, DrPH
SSW Development
Dianne Orton, DPhil
SSW Staff Liasion
Patricia Fisher
SSW Field Faculty Rep.
Suzanne Cary, MSW ‘93
BSW Student Rep.
Cynthia Erwin
MSW Student Rep.
Jennie Graves
PhD Student Rep.
Abigail Rolbiecki
Tiffany Bowman, MSW ‘07
Cindy Burks
Katy Klick, MSW ‘04
Lacey Prater, MSW ‘08
Brenda Sites, MSW ‘98
Kristi Sveum, MSW ‘05
Katie Burnham Wilkins, MSW ‘08
Ashley Hall Visco, MSW ‘08
ssw.missouri.edu/alumni
mizzou.com/joinsocialworkalumni
Social Work Notes | 19
University of Missouri
School of Social Work
Seventh Floor, Clark Hall
Columbia, MO 65211-4470
SAVE THE DATE
MU School of Social Work
Spring Forum
Preparing for Licensure
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Military Sexual Trauma
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
April 4, 2014
The Parkade Plaza
Columbia, MO
USA
Join the MU School of Social Work Alumni Organization!
Send your registration to SSWAO Staff Liaison, 729 Clark Hall, MU School of Social Work, Columbia, MO 65211.
– Membership dues are tax deductible! –
Member Information
Full name:
Annual Membership Options (Individual/Dual)
Annual ............................................................................................................... $50/70
Recent Grads (1-3 yrs from commencement date) ...................................... $40/55
Senior (65+) ....................................................................................................... $40/55
MU Faculty/Saff ............................................................................................... $40/55
True Tiger (current student) ............................................................................. $25/35
Maiden/former name(s):
Student number:
Degree(s) and years(s) received:
Life Membership Options Endowed Life (standard) ....................................................................... $1,000/1,500
Loyalty Endowed Life (annual member of 5+ yrs) .............................. $800/1,200
Senior Life 65+ (must be paid in lump sum) ............................................ $500/750
Payment Methods
Preferred e-mail address:
Check or Credit Card (circle one)
• If check, make payable to: Mizzou Alumni Association
• If credit card, enter payment information below
Credit Card (circle one)
Visa MasterCard Mailing address:
Phone:
Discover
Card number:
Expiration Date:
Signature:
Membership in the SSWAO also gives you full membership in the Mizzou Alumni Association,
and a portion of the membership dues goes directly to the School of Social Work.
Send us your alumni update: