Associate Professor of Practice Karen Magruder
Teaching With AI: From Policing Use to Preparing Professionals
Just as AI technology is rapidly advancing, our knowledge, assumptions, and attitudes toward it will undoubtedly evolve as well.
School of Social Work in the Media
UTA School of Social Work, Assistant Professor, Morgan PettyJohn
Research on expanding access to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) in rural communities
PettyJohn said rural nurses can have an issue with low case volume due to sparse populations and survivors not wanting to come forward because of stigma.
UTA School of Social Work, BSW student and Veteran's Edge mentor, Billy Jackson
UTA veterans office ensures no military students are ‘hurry-up-and-waiting’ for services
Billy Jackson said he has “always been the go-to guy” for people seeking support, including when he served as an aviation electronics technician in the Navy.
UTA School of Social Work, Assistant Professor, Morgan PettyJohn
Social Media’s Value: A Lifeline for Many Abused and Neglected Young People
Social media has become a crucial outlet for young people to disclose abuse, connect with peers, and learn about safety strategies.
UTA School of Social Work, Associate Professor, Genevieve Graaf
Shutdown stress: hidden toll on mental wellness
Genevieve Graaf, associate professor, at the University of Texas at Arlington, gives tips on navigating financial uncertainty while attending your mental health.
CEO of Center for Transforming Lives, Carol Klocek and Dean of the School of Social Work at UTA, Kirk A. Foster
Tarrant County Nonprofits Rethink Collaboration Amid Funding Shifts
More than a dozen organizations have come together to explore new partnerships, share resources, and reimagine a stronger, more resilient network for the region’s most vulnerable residents.
Associate Professors Dr. Philip Baiden and Dr. Catherine A. LaBrenz
Link Between Body Image, Suicide Ideation With Teenager
Researchers from the University of Texas in Arlington found a strong link between weight perception and suicidal ideation. This study also sheds light on the essential role schools, families and communities can have to mitigate these dangers.
Associate Professor of Practice Karen Magruder
United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Announces 2025 International Distance Learning Award Winners
Karen J. Magruder, associate professor of practice in the School of Social Work, was awarded a 2025 United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Teaching Award.
Adjunct Assistant Professor Victor Allen
Victor Allen impacts lives inside, outside the classroom
Victor Allen served his country in the Army. Now, he is serving his community, and it is getting recognition.
The NE adjunct instructor and retired Army sergeant major was presented his third Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from then-President Joe Biden in October.
Associate Professor Dr. Philip Baiden
Older Adults With Divorced Parents May Be at Higher Risk of Stroke
A new study co-authored by Philip Baiden, an associate professor of social work at UTA, suggests parental divorce during childhood may significantly increase the risk of stroke later in life. The study was reported on by dozens of broadcast, print, and online news outlets, domestically and around the globe.
Associate Professor Dr. Jennifer O'Brien
Children Sex Trafficking – What you need to know
We should support policies and initiatives addressing child homelessness, food insecurity and drug endangerment. Tackling these root social problems strengthens community resilience and reduces risks for child sex trafficking, writes Jennifer O'Brien.
School of Social Work Dean, Kirk A. Foster
SSW hosts comedian Joel Kim Booster as part of October LGBTQ History Month
Social Work Speakers' Event with Joel Kim Booster, actor and comedian, and Kirk Foster, School of Social Work dean, speak during speakers' event on Oct. 2 at Texas Hall. The speakers' event is part of the School of Social Work's October speaker series.
Associate Professor of Practice Karla Arenas-Itotia
Advocating for foster care/adoption with the agency Jonathan's Place
Associate Professor of Practice Karla Arenas-Itotia was interviewed on iHeart Radio which aired on approximately six stations for Mother's Day advocating for foster care/adoption with the agency Jonathan's Place.
Dr. Kathy Lee
Challenges of Informal Caregivers
Dr. Kathy Lee, social work assistant professor, was featured in a news article about her research exploring the challenges facing millions of Americans who have become informal caregivers for family members in a piece for The Conversation. This story was reshared by Yahoo Life.
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UTA Social Work
DFW has 7 universities earning top spots for graduate programs in Texas including UTA Social Work
North Texas universities have done it again. U.S. News and World Report has deemed seven Dallas-Fort Worth universities among the best grad schools in the state, with some departments landing among the top 100 in the country.
UTA Social Work
UT System earns accolades with US News Graduate programs including UTA Social Work
The University of Texas System institutions earned several top rankings in U.S. News and World Report’s most recent partial rankings of “Best Graduate Schools” in the U.S. According to U.S. News.
Ashley O. Brundage
UTA SSW grad New Dallas area habitat for humanity CEO
Ashley O. Brundage said working on housing and homelessness “can definitely feel like you’re beating your head against a wall sometimes.” But that won't slow her down as she takes on her new role as CEO of Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.
Dr. Kathy Lee
Challenges of Informal Caregivers
Dr. Kathy Lee, social work assistant professor, was featured in a news article about her research exploring the challenges facing millions of Americans who have become informal caregivers for family members in a piece for The Conversation. This story was reshared by the Milwaukee Independent.
Dr. Christine Spadola
Tips for Adjusting to Daylight Saving Time
Christine Spadola, assistant professor of social work, gave tips on KLIF-AM to adjust to daylight saving time. Spadola recommended staying hydrated and maintaining a regular sleep schedule. She said it will...
Dr. Darlene Hunter
Class of 2024 NWBA Hall of Fame Inductees Announced
We are thrilled to announce the induction of Dr. Darlene Hunter into the prestigious National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Hailing from Walled Lake, Michigan, Darlene’s journey is marked by resilience, leadership, and unparalleled contributions to wheelchair basketball.
Dr. Kathy Lee
A social worker explains how to improve quality of life for family caregivers
Millions of Americans have become informal family caregivers: people who provide family members or friends with unpaid assistance in accomplishing daily tasks such as bathing, eating, transportation and managing medications.
Kiva Harper
Preventing Violence Against Social Workers - Advocating for Change
Harper says the gap in data on violence against social workers is indicative of a larger problem.
“I feel like it’s difficult to gather those numbers because I think a lot of [incidents] go unreported,” she says. “As a result, I think that the numbers are probably not ever captured accurately.”
Karen Magruder
What is the most common mistake that retirees make when choosing where to live
The biggest mistake would be not to make a plan! While everyone approaches retirement planning differently, a common oversight is underestimating expenses, especially healthcare costs.
Keeping Your Cool in a Warming World
In a world facing environmental challenges unprecedented in human history, it’s no surprise that eco-anxiety – a pervasive worry about the current and future state of our planet – has become an increasingly prevalent mental health issue.
War Trauma: The Psychological Consequences of War
Any traumatic experience that stems from military conflict is considered war trauma, and all war trauma can lead to mental health disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder.
Mental Health Awareness Month
Harper sat down with ESSENCE and discussed how reading one of the magazine’s articles on mental health in her early 20s “literally changed the trajectory” of her life.
Research on sleep and self-care among social work students
Sleep health is integral for maintaining optimal physical and mental health, and plays a vital role in the context of substance misuse and substance use disorders (SUDs).
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SSW COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING
Antwan C. Williams, J.D.
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