News and Events

The School of Social Work News

Social Work Field Education, Spotlight on Social Work Alumni in Practice, Tuesday, September 24, 2024, 2:30-5:00pm, School of Social Work, Windsor Hall Foyer ,167 Ferry Street, Windsor, ON N9A 0C5. All Social Work students are invited to tour agency tables and speak to social workers in practice.

Upcoming event for all Social Work Students! 
 
You are cordially invited to our Field Education Open House! Meet Alumni Social Work Field Instructors and speak to social workers about their organization, the role of social workers, and their connection to field education.
 
TUESDAY, SEPT. 24TH, 2024 2:30-5:00 PM 
 
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK, WINDSOR HALL FOYER, 167 FERRY STREET, WINDSOR ON N9A 0C5
 
Please join us! No RSVP required! Please reach out to socwork@uwindsor.ca if you have any questions.
 
THIS EVENT WAS SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF WINDSOR'S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

 

 

Dr. Betty Barrett, Teaching Award Recipient 

Congratulations to Dr. Betty Barrett who will be recognized at this year’s 18th Annual Celebration of Teaching Excellence on Wednesday, October 9th. Dr. Barrett will receive the Alumni Association Award for Distinguished Contributions to University Teaching.

Dr. Barrett along with faculty across the university will be recognized at the annual event hosted jointly by the Office of the Provost and the Centre for Teaching and Learning. This event will celebrate faculty who have received recognition for teaching, mentoring, and educational leadership from March 2023 to March 2024 (view list of award winners).

Congratulations Dr. Barrett on this well deserved recognition!

 

Fall 2024 Open House

University of Windsor Fall 2024 Open House Saturday, October 26th from 10 am to 3 pm. The background picture is UWindsor main campus.

 

Join us for our upcoming UWindsor Fall Open House 2024 on Saturday October 26th from 10am – 3pm! Social Work will have a booth in the Toldo Lancer Centre and we will also be in the School of Social Work in Windsor Hall. We will be providing tours of our beautiful building. You can also speak to current students, faculty and staff! Please reach out to socwork@uwindsor.ca if you have any questions. We look forward to meeting you. Further information can be found at UWindsor Fall Open House 2024 (swoogo.com)

Dr. Debra Hernandez-Jozefowicz

This is a photo of Dr. Debra Hernandez-Jocefowicz. Deb is smiling. She is outside and a large tree is behind her

The School of Social Work is deeply saddended to announce that Dr. Debra Hernandez-Jozefowicz passed away on August, 28th. Students, alumni, community members, faculty, and staff will continue to pay tribute to Dr. Hernandez-Jozefowicz's memory.  Funeral arrangements can be found at
Dr. Debra Marguerite Hernandez-Jozefowicz Obituary - 2024 - Faulmann & Walsh Golden Rule FH (tributearchive.com)
 
Deb was an exceptional person and teacher. She taught with vibrancy, advocacy, and left a positive, lasting impact on her former students. Her students remember her fondly. She was a faculty member in the School of Social Work and lead the Disability Studies program for many years. Her compassion and advocacy for  the disabled was awe inspiring. Dr. HJ, we will forever remember your smile and kindness. Your legacy lives on!
 
These are messages from our School of Social Work community below. If you are interested in leaving a message, kindly email socwork@uwindsor.ca:

 "Debbie (Dr. H-J) was one of the kindest souls, so motivating, inspiring, and continued to be a beautiful connection and support to me. I will never forget the impact she has on my academic journey".  Dr. Riham Al-Saadi

"I remember your big smile! You were so full of life even in difficult times. You were spirited and lively. Sometimes, you would change your hair color to blue or pink; I found it so amusing. You will be dearly missed Debra. You are somewhere we just don’t see you.  Rest in Peace."  Dr. Jayashree Mohanty

"Dr. H.J. was the faculty co-advisor for the Student Accessibility Committee that I served on when I was an MSW student.  Her passion for accessibility in school, society, and policy was a major inspiration in my career path.  Without her encouragement, I wouldn’t have had the courage to pursue policy as my area of practice and I wouldn’t be where I am today.  Her passion and warmth have stayed with me all these years and I will always remember her." Dr. Kristina Nikolova

Stefan Stevic, School of Social Work Alumni needs our support

Our BSW graduate (2020) and MSWwp graduate (Jan 2023) Stefan Stevic needs your support. Stefan, whom many of you know became diagnosed with cancer in his final BSW year. Despite being critically ill during a global pandemic Stefan completed his BSW requirements and was able to graduate on time with his cohort. Stefan completed his MSW in 2023 and has been successfully working in the social work field. Unfortunately, Stefan is currently experiencing additional serious medical challenges. His family has reached out for support. Please see their message below in the hope that you will consider supporting this brave, resilient graduate.

Fundraiser by Kelly-Anne Larade : Post Open Heart Surgery Recovery and Rehab for Stefan Stevic (gofundme.com)

 

Dr. Riham Al-Saadi reflects on her successful event!

Our amazing faculty member, Dr. Riham-Al-Saadi, reminisces on her very successful recent event, "Embracing Antiracism Approaches in Integration of Immigrants and Refugees in Windsor-Essex", in the following video!
 
 
 

New Faculty!

Effective July 1st, 2024 the School of Social Work welcomed two new faculty, Dr. Michael Bennett and Dr. Siham Elkassem. For further information on their research and teaching, please visit their faculty webpages at Dr. Michael Bennett | School of Social Work (uwindsor.ca) and Dr. Siham Elkassem | School of Social Work (uwindsor.ca)

 

June Convocation & School of Social Work Convocation Social 2024

 
Our School of Social Work students recently attended convocation on June 4th. We had over 300 School of Social Work graduates! Following convocation, our graduates attended the School of Social Work Social Event. We honoured our graduates, student reps, and School of Social Work Award recipients. Thank you to students, family, friends, award recipients, faculty and staff for attending this wonderful tribute to our students and award recipients!
 

We are proud to highlight our list of award recipients for 2024:

 

Inspirational Leader Award 2024

 

Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard

 

 

Distinguished Alumni Award 2024

 

SHELLEY GILBERT

ANYA GROSS

 

 

Outstanding Field Instructor Award 2024

 

ALEXANDRA DERMANSKY

CYNTHIA KANDI

 

Outstanding Graduate Assistant Award 2024

 

ANICA BUTTERS

 

 

School of Social Work Student Representatives

 

MSW Working Professionals:

 

Sabitra Bistathapa

 

Rain Chan 

 

Sarah Cocking 

 

Marsha Gray 

 

Eryn Jacobson 

 

On Campus Student Representatives:

 

Evan Gignac 

 

Leigha Hossack

 

Paige Lord

 

Kelly McNaughton

 

Maddy Motyka

 

Lorraine Oloya

School of Social Work's Newsletters

The School of Social Work highlights student, faculty and alumni success stories! If you are you a student, alumnus or field instructor interested in sharing your story in our newsletter, please reach out to socwork@uwindsor.ca

Please note our newsletter schedule for the remainder of 2024:

Month of Newsletter Story submission date deadline Newsletter launch date
August 2024 Newsletter Friday, August 9th, 2024 Tuesday, August 27th, 2024
September 2024 Newsletter Friday, September 13th, 2024 Monday, September 23rd, 2024
October 2024 Newsletter Friday, October 11th, 2024 Monday, October 23rd, 2024
November 2024 Newsletter Friday, November 8th, 2024 Monday, November 18th, 2024
December 2024 Newsletter Friday, December 6th, 2024 Friday, December 13th, 2024

 

 

Upcoming Events

Stay tuned for upcoming events!