News Archive

Interpersonal violence is inherently a social phenomenon, meaning it spreads through networks. Perhaps adaptive and positive behaviors like mindfulness could also be spread virally?

This is the theory that inspired Robin Petering, PhD ’18, and Nicholas Barr, PhD ’18 to develop MyPath, a violence reduction intervention for youth experiencing homelessness.

Adam Davison expected to be disappointed in the class known as the Virtual Field Practicum or VFP. Required as part of the MSW he was earning online through the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work’s Virtual Academic Center, the class used an actor to simulate a client named Mario, a military veteran.

To Davison, a retired Marine, watching an actor pretend to be a client sounded strange and a bit silly.

The co-chairs of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare (AASWSW) Grand Challenge to End Homelessness―Ben Henwood, associate professor at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, and Deborah Padgett, professor at the New York University Silver School of Social Work―ass

Layan Kaileh, MSW ’18, while earning her bachelor’s degree in social work in Fresno, California, created what she called ‘blessing bags,’ which included toiletries, food, water and a couple of dollars. When out driving, if she saw someone she thought needed help, she would hand them the bag, all ready in her car.

Nicole Wilson, MSW ’18, who grew up in Los Angeles County, felt compelled to be a positive influence for change in any way she could within her community.

Two professors at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work have been conducting important research into the health and wellbeing of Latino people in the U.S. and Mexico.

On December 30, 2019, Theodore Lumpkin, Jr. became a centenarian.

If one did not know that he recently celebrated his 100th birthday, with a series of parties given by family, friends and those whose lives he has touched throughout his years, it would not be obvious. He strides into a room, takes calls on his smartphone like someone a quarter of his age, and engages you in conversation about what he has seen and done across a century of living.

Wendy Talley, LCSW, MSW ’01, is the youngest of 11 children. The baby of the family. One evening, when she was seven, her father came home with a look of fear on his face. Fear, and coldness. Her mother quickly instructed Talley’s older sister to take her into the bedroom. She and her sister retreated and locked the door.

When Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) students descended upon campus for their On Campus Intensive (OCI) this December, they used an elbow model for the first time, thanks to a generous gift from USC alumnus Jacque J. Sokolov, M.D.

In April of 2018, Isaac Ford Jr., MSW ’12, attended the National Association of Black Social Workers Annual Conference in San Diego, California. He was excited to be a part of the 50th anniversary celebration, partake in seminars and workshops, and meet new people.

At her first lecture on campus since joining USC in July 2019, President Carol L. Folt opened her master class on resiliency with praise for the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.