News Archive

An estimated 83% of the 20 million LGBTQ+ people in the United States have experienced abuse or significant adverse childhood experiences (ACE) that have significantly impacted their mental health as adults compared to their heteronormative peers.

Juneteenth is an important part of American history we all need to celebrate. And use it as an opportunity to come together to push to eliminate structural racism in the United States.

On May 11, 2022, John Oberg walks the stage to receive his Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) from the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, a long-held goal for this self-described “Trojan for Life” whose grandfather, a surgeon, taught in the USC medical school and whose mother is a USC alumna. He began a pre-med undergraduate degree at USC and then his path led him elsewhere, in the process earning a BA and then an MBA with concentrations in management of technology, policy and planning.

Jacob Cepollina came into the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work very clear on what they wanted to do: be the kind of advocate for the next generation of trans youth that they wished they had in childhood.

Single mother and domestic abuse survivor Yvonne Elliott applied to the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work with a singular, career-changing goal in mind: to become a private practice therapist in order to better support her two children. However, almost immediately after started the program, she discovered a greater purpose.

Laura Trejo came to Los Angeles from El Salvador at age eleven, speaking no English, and immediately set her sights on attending the University of Southern California, a goal she has now achieved in spades. Trejo is a triple Trojan, with a BA and MS in Gerontology and a Master of Public Administration (MPA), and is receiving her fourth degree from USC in 2022, a Doctorate of Social Work (DSW), making her among the elite few to achieve this distinction.

As a child, Jennifer Weck always knew she wanted to work in a school. When other kids were pretending to be doctors or astronauts, she was pretending to be the school principal. Now, after a career in health and fitness and having two children, Weck has come full circle. She will complete her Master in Social Work (MSW), with an emphasis in school social work, in May 2022.

Dean Sarah Gehlert of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work has been invited by the White House to join its new nonpartisan White House Health Equity Leaders Roundtable and has accepted the honor. The White House Office of Public Engagement established the group to provide key communication and expert perspective regarding health care access, one of this administration’s central issues.

The USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is excited to welcome Dana L. Suskind, MD, of the University of Chicago as keynote speaker for its 2022 Commencement Ceremony on May 13, 2022. Dr. Suskind is a national thought leader in early language development, optimizing foundational brain development and preventing early cognitive disparities and their lifelong impact. Drawing from a career devoted to encouraging parents, Dr.

On the occasion of her centennial birthday in February, social work leaders from around the world gathered to honor Bernice Catherine Harper, MSW ’48, and reflect on her life and impact at a celebration hosted by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).