Author: Bartucca, Julie

Congratulations, Grads!

Posted on May 11, 2021June 8, 2023 by Bartucca, Julie

You did it! While the past year has been like no other, our BSW, MSW, and Ph.D. students met the challenges they faced and came through stronger and with new skills and more empathy. We salute our grads for a job well done and are thrilled for you all to enter the social work profession or continue your studies to make the world a more just and inclusive place. Read on for messages from School of Social Work faculty and staff, wishing you well as you embark on your next chapter.

To the Class of 2021: While the once-in-a-century pandemic affected your time here in unprecedented ways, you persevered. We are so proud of you. Here you are today, about to launch and advance your careers. I hope all of you take a moment to pause and congratulate yourselves and each other. There has never been a more urgent time for social work, and for you as professional social workers. The world, the nation, our state and our communities need you. You have answered the call for a vocation that centers respect for the well-being of individuals and communities; the need for diversity; the commitment to racial, social, and economic justice. You are ready. I could not be prouder of each of you, and I am particularly proud to have you join this profession that I have loved for decades. I hope you will find this calling, this vocation, as rewarding as I have. Congratulations!

— Nina Rovinelli-Heller, Dean

Congratulations on graduating from UConn School of Social Work! You are a cohort full of resilience! You have spent the majority of your Social Work education learning through not one but two pandemics. I can’t say how this will affect you later in your careers but I can say that it will and already has. First, learning about racism and White supremacy within the context of the deaths of so many at the hand of police, then within moments that you witnessed justice being served by the guilty verdict of Derek Chauvin another murder of a young Black woman occurred raising the same cries for police accountability. You have also experienced firsthand being separated from friends and family by something beyond your control. Fear, desperation, and longing, combined with loss and grief, for many of you has informed your understanding of the clients you were serving at your field placements. The connections made with faculty, staff and your fellow students are crucial future supports, keep them close. Felizidades!

— Lisa Werkmeister Rozas, BSW Program Director

For the 2021 MSW graduates:
Congratulations all!! Getting an MSW is always challenging, but add to that the novel coronavirus pandemic and the centuries-old systemic racism epidemic, and you have a UConn Master of Social Work education and degree without precedent. Hearts have been broken by losses and souls have been challenged by injustices, and yet you prevailed. There is hope for there are people like all of you who have been preparing to take on these challenges – whether that be as a clinical, community organizing, or policy practice social worker. Now it is time for you to spread your wings and fly, maybe somewhat cautiously initially, but fly nonetheless. On occasion, do come back and share your story, but now it’s time to go! The city, the state, the country, and the world sorely need you. Go and make a difference!

— Brenda Kurz, MSW Program Director

Dear Graduates,
At the end of the semester, I talked with you all about the idea of vicarious resilience — the positive meaning-making and growth that we may experience through witnessing the resilience of our clients. I encouraged you to attend to your clients' strengths with as much consideration as you give to their challenges, both because it will be helpful to them and because it will provide you with the energy and inspiration you will need to continue doing this work.
Now, as you prepare to move on from the UConn School of Social Work, I want you to know about the vicarious resilience that I've experienced watching you navigate your education in the midst of a pandemic. Though I have known many of you only through a computer screen, I have been so inspired by your engagement in your learning. You are entering the profession at a time of extraordinary need. I hope that this next chapter brings much fulfillment, growth, and time to rest and rejuvenate.
Best wishes,
Ellen

— Ellen Smith, Associate Extension Professor

Congratulations Class of 2021! You have made it to the finish line despite COVID-19. While this past year brought many challenges, you are no strangers to adversity. You should be proud of all that you have endured and all you have accomplished. In the words of Maya Angelou, “We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.” Remember these words as you embark on your social work journey to helping the many people and communities in need and fighting the injustices that exist. I wish you the best of luck with your future endeavors and look forward to you being my fellow social work colleague.

— Milagros Marrero-Johnson, Director of Strategic Programming

Congratulations, Class of 2021! It has been a long and difficult year, so be especially proud of yourselves for getting to this point. I wish you every success in your next chapter. Remember, you are the experts in the challenges and barriers our clients and communities face every day. Your voice and your perspective are needed in policy and politics. So be bold and brave in your practice and "speak your mind, even if your voice shakes." You are social workers who will change the world.

— Tanya Rhodes Smith, Director, Nancy A. Humphreys Institute for Political Social Work

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Posted on April 29, 2021 by Bartucca, Julie

Spring 2021 Scholarship Recipients

Posted on April 14, 2021June 8, 2023 by Bartucca, Julie

Gianella Gutierrez

Attending and paying for school for the last year has been very difficult due to unfortunate circumstances and the pandemic. With this scholarship, I am able to place more focus on my education and future goals without worrying about working extra hours at work. Without the financial burden, I can focus on graduating as a BSW student at UConn and eventually getting my MSW in clinical social work. After achieving this goal of mine, I hope to work in an organization or state department that focuses on child welfare. This passion of working with children grew during my volunteer work at the Boys & Girls club where I volunteer as a teacher assistant.

Natasha Whyte, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

As a first-generation college student, it is an honor to be the recipient of the Dr. Albert Alissi School of Social Work Scholarship Fund. Thank you for your kindness and generosity, especially during these challenging times. Your scholarship has alleviated my financial burden and allowed me to pursue my goal of becoming a school social worker. I look forward to providing children and adolescents with the social and emotional support necessary for academic success and upward mobility. While doing so, I will never forget the knowledge and skills that the University of Connecticut provided me with. I cannot wait to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Thank you again for your support.

Albert Brown Jr. Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to a student currently conducting their field placement at the UConn Counseling & Mental Health Services.

Nancy White, Individuals, Groups, and Families Concentration

Thank you so much for the scholarship! During this academic year I worked at the Student Health and Wellness mental health program as a practicum student. This experience allowed me to see how integral it is for staff to be working towards the common goal of student health and wellness. I learned so much from the students that I worked with and I am grateful for the experience.

After graduation I will be working as an outpatient therapist at a community mental health practice in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The clients will be from all backgrounds, ages, conditions. I look forward to being able to contribute to my community by helping people with managing their mental health conditions.

Amanda Brenner, Policy Practice concentration

Thank you so, so much for awarding me a Donna Millette-Fridge Scholarship. I would like you to know that I honor her memory and the opportunities she is giving me today. I am equally passionate about work with those with mental illness. I have spent my entire year writing and testifying on mental health policy for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. I hope to focus directly on mental health advocacy after graduation, perhaps on the national level. I will bring my UConn education and my lived experience along with me and a great respect and tribute to Donna in whose name I now work.

Mackenna Jacovich, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Your thoughtful contribution to my education is very much appreciated. Seeing my own story and work so far in social work as worthy of such a reward has really helped me realize my worth as a future social worker. In my field experience with Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (EMPS), I worked with children experiencing suicidal ideations or who had recently attempted suicide. Providing a safe place for these children to tell their stories and express their feelings without judgment has been such a rewarding and fulfilling experience. I hope to continue my work in this area and provide best treatment practices to children and adolescents at risk of suicide. Thank you again for your gracious fellowship.

Melissa Keilty, Policy Practice concentration

Your generosity has been a privilege and an honor to receive. This scholarship will aid in the beginning of my career by providing a sense of calm in the calamity that is being a youth of this day and age. My academic goals include finishing my Master of Social Work and someday pursuing a Doctorate. I selected a degree in social work for its abundant usefulness in a wide array of fields, for its application in various personal and systemic contexts, and for its value-based conceptions. I am a devout participant within various causes which advance justice in human and ecological systems. Your donation helps me maintain my ability to be flexible and gives me encouragement that my hard work is noticed, and appreciated.

Lexie Soja, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Thank you for your generosity in awarding me this scholarship. This additional support will alleviate some of the financial demands that can be difficult to prioritize when having to maintain a full academic course load. My goal is to pursue a career in medical social work. I hope to continue working with and advocating for vulnerable populations who are disproportionately impacted due to healthcare disparities. I will forever be grateful for the support that allowed me to continue my education and forward my career.

Charmain Yun, Community Organizing concentration

What an honor. Thank you so much for your generosity and support of social work students. I have been working part time and fulfilling full time school requirements over this past year. It has been so fulfilling, but as you can imagine, also tiring. Your scholarship doesn’t just help financially but also serves as an affirmation to the work that I have been doing. It’s been a hard year for so many, especially the clients and people we serve. The pandemic only highlights the disparities in our society. I plan to use my Masters in Social Work in the work of equality, systematic change, and advocacy for the people I serve.

Jada Hines, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

I would like to thank my donor for their generosity, as well as those that have selected me for this scholarship. As a teenager I felt as though I had to manage my mental health alone. I knew I wanted to be a social worker so no child would feel as alone as I once did. My goal is to become a school social worker that is present and available for all students, regardless of if they appear to need social services or not. I want students to know who I am and what I can do for them before my assistance is even needed. UConn has given me the opportunity to become more confident in myself and what I can achieve in the future, which is something I will always be grateful for.

Celina Fernández-Ayala, Community Organizing concentration

Thank you for your generosity! The scholarship provides much needed financial support during these uncertain times. I decided to pursue an MSW out of my commitment to social justice, especially in Black and Brown communities in my hometown in New Haven, CT. As a Mexi-Rican, I witness disparities in nearly every aspect of Black and Brown life and am committed to working alongside my community to transform society. My career goals include opening my own non-profit that provides traditional social services, but also functions as a space for Black and Brown artists, dancers, singers, writers, and actors. In fact, I dance salsa and sing classical music in my rare spare time.

Lillianna Rubio, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

I can't thank you enough for your generosity. Having gone from full-time to part-time due to the pandemic, this scholarship has given me the peace, and financial relief, that I needed to continue my studies and graduate on track for the summer. I chose to complete my degree in social work as a way to not only give back and provide an opportunity that I was once provided as a foster child, but also to fight for human rights and help give a voice and empower the powerless. I hope to one day provide therapeutic services to young children as well as immigrant and refugee families.

Briee Preston, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

I want to say I am extremely grateful for being chosen for this scholarship award. I have never been awarded a scholarship, so this means so much to me. This scholarship truly helps with my financial situation as I continue to struggle to get through. The pandemic has not made life easy for me, and I constantly face making financial sacrifices. My most recent concerns have been school finances, so again this is a complete blessing. Thank you for your generosity and for considering me; I truly appreciate it.

Shalamiesha Gilbert, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Thank you for your generosity in your donation that has helped make my goal of achieving an MSW. It took me many years to finally apply to Graduate School and when the pandemic hit and my family’s income decreased, I wasn't sure if this was the right time to move forward with school. I decided to proceed despite the financial hurdles, and this scholarship will help ease my financial burden. I have always felt deep satisfaction through volunteer work and activism. In the back of my mind I knew I wanted to help others, but was unsure how to turn it into a career. Social work is my opportunity to turn my love of helping people into a career.

Gina Squitieri, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

I have endured numerous struggles throughout my lifetime and being a recipient of this scholarship reinforces the fact that other individuals recognize my hard work and resilience through it all. I have accepted an internship as a social work intern at UConn’s hospital in the ICU, fulfilling the main objective I set out for when I applied to this program. Words cannot express how grateful I am to be able to make a difference next semester in the lives of individuals whose health is in critical care and you supported me through this. There are not enough thank yous in the world to express my gratitude.

Nancy Tarr Berdon Fund

The family of Nancy Tarr Berdon established this award in memory of Tarr Berdon, a noted professional social worker in the New Haven area committed to working with the poor.

Ashante Malone, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

I am beyond grateful to have been chosen as a recipient of the Nancy Tarr Berdon scholarship. After completing the Master's Program at UConn, I will remain at the Department of Children and Families where I am currently employed and plan to transition to a social worker. I chose to further my education after being employed by DCF for several years. I am limited in how much I can directly assist families with my current role and I had such a desire to do more and that prompted my decision to return to school.

Holly Savitsky, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Thank you most sincerely for your generous scholarship. For a student like me, a single mother who has spent most of her life in poverty, scholarships are life changing. In the social work field there’s so much to learn, so many important details that help us understand how to best help people. In the future, I plan to work for a nonprofit agency. I’d like to do outreach work to people who struggle with barriers to care such as chronic homelessness, substance misuse, disabilities, and mental illness. I’d also like to include activism in my work, since the systemic ways in which people are being oppressed are going largely unchallenged.

Matthew Stayner, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Thank you very much for this honor. This scholarship will make a huge difference in my ability to continue my education without having to worry as much about my financial situation. After earning my MSW, I hope to work within a community agency, ideally one that follows the integrated care model. I would like to work with adolescents and adults from vulnerable and underserved populations, who struggle with mental health and addictions. I believe that the integrated care model provides the best service for members of the community, as it allows clinicians from different disciplines to work together and form a team that addresses a clients’ needs holistically.

Kailey Bousquet, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Thank you so much for your generosity in awarding me with this scholarship. I always dreamed of finding a career path that would provide me with opportunities for lifelong learning and giving back to others, and I am happy to say that I have found that in social work. Within my first year, I have learned more about our world and myself than I had before, and I will always be grateful for the knowledge and experiences the program, my professors, and my peers have provided me with. The School of Social Work at UConn is full of like-minded, determined, individuals and I absolutely love being a part of this community!

Kimberley Persaud, Community Organizing concentration

I want to thank you for your generosity and for providing this scholarship to me. I want to work in and with my community to help families and provide services to children with Autism. With my current internship, I work with my Hartford community and engage with families who have children with Autism and need early intervention for developmental delays. I am currently partaking in community organizing to develop a resource outlet for families. My goal is to remove the stigma addressed with Autism and create an environment where parents acknowledge their families' strengths and feel empowered to foster their child's development. Another goal of mine is to ensure families get the necessary mental health resources they need and adequate early intervention services for their children.

Brianna Johnson, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

I am so grateful for the opportunity this grant will award me. I began my career path 12 years ago when I first graduated UConn with my BA in Human Development and Family Studies. Since then, I have been working in the Applied Behavior Analysis field throughout the state of Connecticut. I received countless referrals for children that were labeled as “behavioral” and therefore “needed me.” These children did not need to be changed, they needed to be heard, and loved. I am hoping that furthering my education in Social Work, I will be able to make a bigger difference in not just individuals lives, but to teach others what it truly means to give help.

Rollin Williams/Y.C. Wu Research Dissertation Fellowship

The School of Social Work Ph.D. program offers the Rollin Williams/Y.C. Wu Research Dissertation Fellowship each year. The scholarship is intended to provide support to an incoming doctoral student who demonstrates the potential to make significant contributions to social work scholarship, education, and practice. All incoming doctoral students are eligible for the scholarship regardless of other financial supports.

One award of $10,000 per year for two years based on enrollment and good academic standing (for a total award of up to $20,000) will be made to a student entering the Ph.D. program. Students may receive this award once during their tenure in the Ph.D. program and are encouraged to use the award as a general stipend. The Ph.D. Program Director, in consultation with the Doctoral Committee, selects the scholarship recipient.

Cristina Wilson Scholarship

The Cristina Wilson Scholarship aims to support Ph.D. students' financial needs as they complete their degrees.

Davidson Dissertation Stipend

The Davidson Dissertation Stipend provides funding Ph.D. student travel related to completing their dissertations.

Grace Felten, MSW, Doctoral Candidate

2019–2020 Rollin Williams/ Y.C. Wu Dissertation Research Fellowship

2020–2021 Davidson Dissertation Stipend

My goal is to be a professor of social work at a Research I institution and to partner with international NGOs to provide research that will inform policy. Currently, there is little focus on migration and reproductive health, even with the professions’ commitment to serving the most vulnerable and advocating for human rights. I intend to help bridge connections between social workers and other humanitarian workers in this area and support them through my research using a human rights lens. Additionally, I hope this leads to the prioritization of reproductive health in humanitarian settings and to viewing reproductive health in a more comprehensive manner.

This scholarship has allowed me to continue my dissertation research conducting an exploratory qualitative case study to examine the impact of forced migration on the reproductive health of refugee women in Greece and to gain insight into the experiences of humanitarian workers trying to support refugees in severely constrained situations. I will use these funds for travel costs and other research-related expenses in order to conduct approximately 40 semi-structured, in-depth qualitative interviews with refugees and staff and/or volunteers working with refugees in Greece and to record relevant observations during visits to refugee camps, community centers, NGO offices, and informal spaces.

Jenna Powers, MSW, Doctoral Candidate

2019–2020 Rollin Williams/Y.C. Wu Dissertation Research Fellowship

2020–2021 Cristina Wilson Scholarship

I am incredibly honored and appreciative of receiving the 2019-2020 Rollin Williams/Y.C. Wu Dissertation Research Fellowship and the 2020-2021 Cristina Wilson Scholarship. Both of these awards will be instrumental in me achieving my goals upon earning my Ph.D. Upon graduation, I hope to continue teaching and conducting research with the foster youth community, both of which will be strengthened by my engagement in participatory action research (PAR) and community-based participatory research (CBPR) projects.

The Dissertation Research Fellowship has enabled me to pursue PAR and CBPR aspects within my dissertation study's data collection, analysis, and dissemination. This has provided me exposure to and practice with these participatory research methods. The Cristina Wilson Scholarship will make it possible for me to attend a conference where I can disseminate my dissertation research findings as well as learn from and network with other researchers conducting PAR and CBPR. As a result, both awards will directly benefit my research and teaching upon graduation.

Fall 2020 Scholarship Recipients

Posted on February 19, 2021June 12, 2023 by Bartucca, Julie

Established by Charlotte M. Kinlock, a 1981 graduate of the School and adjunct faculty member, this award provides financial assistance to a student in a field placement working with gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues and provides financial support to School-sponsored organizations and activities that promote an understanding of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues.

2020-2021 Kinlock Scholar

“Not only is it meaningful to have contributions of support to the LGBTQ+ community as a social work student recognized, it is also important personally to me as an LGBTQ+ student who wants to primarily work with this population. It is validating to be recognized for my work, but also to know that work with this population is seen as worthy of recognition, especially since global attitudes towards LGBTQ+ persons still require much change.

I am in the process of trying to work with an LGBTQ+ colleague who is a primary care physician to form an integrated primary care program for LGBTQ+ individuals in the State of Connecticut. Receiving this award supports me in my education to be able to achieve that goal.

Living through this global pandemic has made being able to work much more complicated, and so the funds from this scholarship have made supporting myself during this graduate degree possible.”

—Lynne Alexander Individual, Groups, and Families concentration

“I can't thank you enough for your generous scholarship. Along with working and attending UConn full-time for my MSW, I’m the primary caretaker of twin daughters with disabilities. I selected this degree because I want to be able to help people like my daughters in an impactful way. Social work has been a lifetime calling for me, and being able to continue my education with a graduate degree from UConn is an unbelievable privilege."

—Holly Savitsky, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Established in honor of Dr. Julio Morales Jr., retired professor, Dean of Students, and founder of the Puerto Rican and Latin@ Studies Project, the Fellowship provides financial support to an MSW student who demonstrates a commitment to engaging in outreach programs in the Latino community and has, or will have, completed their field education practicum in the Latino community. Preference given to students who are fluent in both English and Spanish.

2020-2021 Morales Scholar

Hats off to our 2021 graduates!

BSW Award

Raymond and Mary Borecki Buck Endowed Scholarship Fund

Gianella Gutierrez

MSW Awards

Dr. Albert Alissi School of Social Work Scholarship Fund

Natasha Whyte, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Albert Brown Jr. Scholarship

Nancy White, Individuals, Groups, and Families Concentration

Donna Millette-Fridge Scholarship

Amanda Brenner, Policy Practice concentration

Esther R. Pahl Fellowship for Social Work Excellence

Mackenna Jacovich, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Frank V. Carollo Scholarship Fund

Katherine Mcmullan, Policy Practice concentration

Melissa Keilty, Policy Practice concentration

Lexie Soja, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Charmain Yun, Community Organizing concentration

Ivor J. Echols Endowment Fund

Jada Hines, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Karen Kellerman and Peter Arakas Fellowship in Social Work

Celina Fernández-Ayala, Community Organizing concentration

Mary Porter Wright and John Wright Fellowship in Social Work

Lillianna Rubio, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Mary Ellen and John D. Killeen Master of Social Work Scholarship Fund

Briee Preston, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Miriam Silverman Memorial Scholarship

Shalamiesha Gilbert, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Murry Shapiro Endowed Scholarship Fund

Gina Squitieri, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Nancy Tarr Berdon Fund

Ashante Malone, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Holly Savitsky, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Peter Petrella Fellowship for the School of Social Work

Matthew Stayner, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Shirley & Howard Dickstein Scholarship Fund

Kailey Bousquet, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Kimberley Persaud, Community Organizing concentration

The LeBoeuf Johnson Master of Social Work Scholarship Fund

Brianna Johnson, Individuals, Groups, and Families concentration

Ph.D. Awards

Rollin Williams/Y.C. Wu Research Dissertation Fellowship

Cristina Wilson Scholarship

Davidson Dissertation Stipend

Grace Felten, MSW, Doctoral Candidate

Jenna Powers, MSW, Doctoral Candidate

Charlotte M. Kinlock Endowment Fund in Social Work

Frank V. Carollo Scholarship

Mary Dean-Scalora Endowment Fund in Social Work

Dr. Julio Morales Jr. Fellowship Endowment

Dr. Adelaide Sandler Master of School of Social Work Student Support Fellowship