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In a recent SuRGe Ahead podcast, Meg Paceley, associate professor and interim associate dean for academic affairs at @uconnsocialwork speaks about the implications of the sociopolitical climate on queer and transgender youth and their families.

As a scholar, Dr. Paceley explores the different spaces and environments that queer and trans youth grow up in and how their families, schools, communities, and political climate impact their well-being.

“The ultimate goal is to think about how we intervene," they said. "How can we make changes in those spaces to either reduce the impacts of harmful environments or how can we eliminate health disparities and mental health challenges overall? How do we take families from more rejecting to more accepting so that we can have better lives and outcomes for queer and trans people?”

Listen in: https://srgcollective.com/podcast/ ...

@uconnsocialwork mourns the loss of former associate professor Barbara A. Dicks, who died on Sunday, June 21 at 79 years old.

Dr. Dicks served on the UConn School of Social Work faculty from 1989 until her retirement in 2013. She taught in the casework sequence and specialized in public health, HIV/AIDS advocacy, and mentoring students of color.

She was especially recognized for her commitment to supporting Latino and other minority students in the West Hartford-based MSW program.

During the School`s 75th Anniversary celebration, alumna Dharma C. Lacén Carrión `96 MSW reflected on the impact Dr. Dicks had on her transition to graduate school:

"As a young Black Hispanic woman who recently arrived in Hartford, I had in Dr. Dicks a support in adapting to the school. She had the sensitivity and interest to make me, and two other Puerto Rican colleagues, feel welcome, inviting us to her home and letting us know that we could count on her support and advice. I will be forever grateful to her because that gesture made a difference."

Dr. Dicks earned her MSW from Wayne State University and later obtained both her MPH and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. ...

Congratulations to Craig Mortley from the @uconnsocialwork for his 2026 Dissertation Research Fellowship! @uconnhri

Craig`s dissertation examines how U.S. asylum law, immigration enforcement regimes, and institutional practices shape access to protection, safety, and belonging for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Grounded in Critical Social Theory and Queer Legal Theory, and using a constructivist grounded theory approach, the study draws on semi-structured interviews with institutional actors and longitudinal document analysis to investigate how interpretations of “membership in a particular social group” are operationalized in practice.

This research addresses urgent human rights concerns by demonstrating that legal recognition through asylum does not, on its own, guarantee safety, inclusion, or social belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing persecution. ...

📣 Civic engagement doesn’t start and end at the ballot box.🗳🇺🇸

In a recent Nancy on Norwalk feature, Shannon Lane, director of the Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work and professor-in-residence at the @uconnsocialwork, highlighted the many ways community members can make a difference year-round.

“Get to know what is happening in your community and who the local people are who are already out there and engaged,” Lane advises. From neighborhood associations and community organizations to public meetings and local boards, meaningful participation often begins close to home.

Lane emphasizes that neighborhood groups help ensure elected and appointed leaders hear from a broad range of residents—not just the loudest voices—so decisions are informed by the collective experiences of the community.

At the UConn School of Social Work, we know that strong communities are built through civic engagement, collective action, and informed participation. Through the Humphreys Institute, Lane continues to advance the field of political social work and empower people to strengthen democracy in their everyday lives.

🔗 Read the full story: Beyond Voting: How Participation in Norwalk Can Happen Year-Round. https://www.nancyonnorwalk.com/beyond-voting-how-participation-in-norwalk-can-happen-year-round/

#uconnssw ...

@uconnsocialwork`s MSW program prepares students who are passionate about helping others to improve individual and community well-being. Ranked among the top 9% of all MSW programs nationwide, we train our students for clinical social work and to advocate for improved social policies and services.

Apply for our affordable, fully online MSW program by July 1!

https://socialwork.uconn.edu/masters-social-work/apply-msw/ ...

Dear @uconnsocialwork Community,

On Friday, June 19, we commemorate Juneteenth, a day that marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States and honors the enduring legacy of Black communities.

Juneteenth recognizes June 19, 1865, when news of freedom finally reached 250,000 enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. In June 2021, Congress passed a resolution establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday.

As a school grounded in the values of social justice, human dignity, and equity, we acknowledge both the significance of this historic milestone and the ongoing work required to address racial inequities and advance justice in our communities. Juneteenth provides an opportunity for reflection, learning, and action as we consider how history continues to shape the experiences of individuals, families, and communities today.

Across Connecticut, communities are honoring Juneteenth through festivals, educational programs, performances, and opportunities for reflection and community engagement. We encourage those who are interested to explore local commemorations and continue learning about the history and significance of Juneteenth.

Thank you for all you do to foster a more equitable and inclusive School of Social Work and to advance our profession`s commitment to social justice. 👏⭐🔥✊🏽

Sincerely,

Laura Curran
Dean and Professor
University of Connecticut School of Social Work ...