The USC School of Social Work hosted a visit from Michael B. Donley, Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, on Nov. 19 to discuss the military social work initiatives the school's Center for Innovation and Research on Veterans and Military Families (CIR) supports.

The conversation centered around bringing together capacity for innovative technology development, university research leadership, strong linkages with the military and the school's long experience in professional training and credentialing of mental health professionals, especially social workers. The group also discussed a community capacity-building model to prevent military suicides and the use of social networking.

Also in attendance were Provost Elizabeth Garrett, Dean Marilyn Flynn and Professors Anthony Hassan and Eric Rice.

Secretary Donley, who earned both B.A. and M.A. degrees in international relations from USC, is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, including the organizing, training, equipping and providing for the welfare of its more than 334,000 men and women on active duty, 176,000 members of the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, 170,000 civilians, and their families. He also oversees the Air Force's annual budget of more than $110 billion.