@pdxssw.bsky.social
The PSU SSW is the only public institution in Oregon awarding undergraduate or graduate degrees in Social Work and Child, Youth, and Family Studies. Through both research and education we strive to live by our motto, “Changing lives, changing communities.”
Photos of folks attending the Division Midway Alliance's "Midway Bazaar".
Lisha Shrestha, PhD Candidate & Division Midway Alliance's Executive Director, Dr. Alma M.O. Trinidad, & BSW practicum student Miriam Egan recently attended the Midway Bazaar!
A new community mural (created by Alex Chiu) was unveiled, & local BIPOC entrepreneurs got to share their products!
Photo collage of SSW staff, faculty, alumni, and friends at the Latino Social Workers Organization (LSWO) 2025 Conference at the University of Washington in Seattle.
Last month, SSW colleagues, students, & alumni attended the LSWO Conference 2025 in Seattle.
Guests were treated to fabulous speakers, including our very own Dr. Jessica Rodriguez-JenKins & alum Tito Mendoza.
The spring LSWO will be held in Puerto Rico.
For questions, contact: jesrodr2@pdx.edu
Photo of Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy (right) with her daughter, also a PSU SSW alum, Dr. Bahia Cross Overton (left).
Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy, renowned author, thought leader, internationally recognized speaker, and PSU School of Social Work alum, has been appointed as a Provost’s Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Morehouse College.
Congratulations, Dr. DeGruy!
Learn more: news.morehouse.edu/dr.-joy-ange...
As the Fall 2025 term approaches, here’s a quick glance at some important dates to keep in mind!
25.09.2025 20:54 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Photo of Kate Constable, LCSW, with text reading "Kate Constable, Director of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Portland State University School of Social Work."
Please join us in welcoming Kate Constable, LCSW, our new Director of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management!
In this role, Kate will use her experiences as an advisor, instructor, & director to best support the students, staff, faculty, and programs of the SSW. Welcome, Kate!
September is National Suicide Prevention Month.
Lines for Life (available 24/7 call/text the crisis line at 988) and PSU's Student Health & Counseling Center offer support.
Learn about Lines for Life at: www.linesforlife.org
See what resources available via PSU SHAC: www.pdx.edu/health-couns...
Students talk across a table in the second floor study lounge of Smith.
Hello. 👋 We're Smith Memorial Student Union @unofficialpsu.bsky.social . Smith hosts thousands of campus events, student support resources and amenities. Drop by this term. #proudViks #GoViks #PortlandState
17.09.2025 20:41 — 👍 3 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
Photo of Long Tran with text reading "Long Tran, Interim Senior Fiscal Officer, PSU School of Social Work."
We are thrilled to announce that Long Tran is now serving as the SSW Interim Senior Fiscal Officer!
Long is a PSU alum and has worked here since 2008. He currently serves as SFO for the PSU College of Education, but has kindly agreed to help our school as well.
Welcome to the SSW community, Long!
We are proud to announce that Dr. Thomas Keller is now serving as the PhD in Social Work and Social Research Program Director!
Congratulations, Tom!
Check out Tom’s most recent publications via pdx scholar at: pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/do/search/ad...
Some SSW staff posing for a photo in the Louiza Event Space
Photo of Beckie Lee
Photo of SSW staff doing arts and crafts
Thank you to all of the SSW staff members who joined us at the Louiza Event Space for our annual retreat!
We want to extend a huge thank you to the folks at Louiza for hosting us, and to Beckie Lee from the Albina Vision Trust for educating us on the cultural significance of the Albina community!
Photo of Dr. Jennifer Blakeslee
Congratulations to Jennifer Blakeslee for leaving her role as the PhD Program Director and now serving as the Director of the Regional Research Institute (RRI)!
Congratulations, Dr. Blakeslee!
photo of Dr. Lakindra Mitchell Dove
Congratulations to Dr. Lakindra Mitchell Dove, SSW alum, PhD, MSW, for moving on from her role as a BSW Assistant Professor and now serving as the BSW Program Director and as an Associate Professor!
Learn more about Dr. Mitchell Dove at: www.pdx.edu/social-work/...
Digital flyer reading, "Latino Social Workers Organization Conference 2025. September 11th through 12th." with logos for the Portland State University School of Social Work and the University of Washington School of Social Work.
Join the Latino Social Workers Organization 9/11-9/12 at the University of Washington School of Social Work for the LSWO Conference 2025!
We are offering CEUs for conference participants
PSU SSW students can register FREE, but must contact jesrodr2@pdx.edu by tomorrow
Learn more: www.lwso2025.com
It’s time to vote! Head over to The School of Business Instagram Story (@pdxbschool) and vote for our paw-some contestant, Moby!
Voting runs August 20–25, and the winner will be crowned on National Dog Day, August 26. Let’s show our support and help Moby take the title of Top Dog on campus!
🐾 National Dog Day is coming up! 🐾
Help represent the School of Social Work and cheer on our furry contender, Moby, in PSU’s all-campus National Dog Day competition.
📅 Voting runs August 20–25. Head to The School of Business (@pdxbschool) Instagram Stories to vote and help crown PSU’s top dog!
The Portland State University School of Social Work is urgently seeking a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program Adjunct Faculty Member to teach a course this Fall.
To learn more, please contact: bswdirector@pdx.edu
To apply, please visit: jobs.hrc.pdx.edu/postings/46534
Join us Friday, Aug 15, from 12-2 PM for a Master of Social Work (MSW) Information Session!
An MSW from PSU provides hands-on training in professional social work settings and the knowledge/skills necessary to serve individuals and communities.
RSVP at: www.pdx.edu/social-work/info-sessions
Happening today! Visit the link to join the MSW Info. Session Zoom! www.pdx.edu/social-work/...
30.07.2025 18:54 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Digital flyer reading "July is BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month."
BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month acknowledges the unique experiences of those in the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, and the necessity of culturally responsive mental health resources.
Learn about BIPOC resources at: www.thementalhealthcoalition.org/wp-content/u...
Digital flyer reading "Happy Disability Pride Month" with the Disability Pride Flag as the background.
Happy Disability Pride Month!
Disability Pride Month celebrates people embracing their disabilities as integral parts of who they are, reclaiming visibility, & rejecting shame & internalized ableism. We honor & value the vibrant diversity & unique experiences of people with disabilities.
Photo 1: Graduates gathered for selfie. Photo 2: Student speaker with family delivering speech. Photo 3: Graduate holding child.
Congratulations to the SSW 2025 graduating class!
Student speakers delivered powerful speeches that reflected on their time at PSU, the challenges they overcame, & how they will use their education to serve others.
Thank you grads, loved ones, and volunteers for making the ceremony so special! 🎉🎓
Associate Professor Amie Thurber, MSW, PhD, recently co-authored “Using Geographic Interviews to Conduct Community Assessments—insights for MSW Pedagogy” Published in Social Work Education: the International Journal.
To read about the recent publication, visit this link lnkd.in/g_Zzvd99!
Christina Nicolaidis, MD, MPH, & Dora Raymaker, PhD, recently co-authored “Guidelines for the Creation of Accessible Consent Materials and Procedures: Lessons from Research with Autistic People and People with Intellectual Disability” Published in Autism in Adulthood.
Congratulations!
As the Chair of the Behavioral Workforce Talent Council, I am excited to be on the ground listening and learning. I visited with behavioral health providers in Southern Oregon to ensure their voices and experiences as rural providers inform the work of the Behavioral Health Talent Council.
03.06.2025 18:09 — 👍 1 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
SSW Professor Bowen McBeath, PhD, has co-authored two articles “Dimensions of Organizational and Personal Evidence Use by Senior Managers in Private Child Welfare Agencies” and “Organizational Supports for Promoting Evidence Use in Private Child Welfare Agencies."
02.06.2025 20:30 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Photo of Dr. Laura Rodriguez - PSU PhD in Social Work and Social Research alum
Portland State University PhD in Social Work & Social Research Program alum, Dr. Laura Rodriguez, has been accepted to the OHSU Social Work Oregon Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Training Program!
Congratulations, Dr. Rodriguez!
Digital flyer reading "PSU Day at the Capitol. Thursday, May 22, 2025."
Oregon is 44th in the nation when it comes to investing in public university students.
Help advocate for PSU's students on May 22. With the uncertainty of federal funding, it’s urgent that we advocate for increased investments from the State.
Learn more:
docs.google.com/forms/d/1ZpW...
Photo of Dr. Lakindra Mitchell Dove with quote reading, “As a qualitative researcher, I deeply value the process of engaging in research. It is not all about the findings or end results. There is substance in observing and analyzing ways in which conversations emerge, unfold, and connect among people. Being with individuals as they share aspects of themselves is a gift. I value the invitation to momentarily step into the world of others and witness their experiences.” - Dr. Mitchell Dove
We are proud to announce that Dr. Lakindra Mitchell Dove has been named the PSU School of Social Work's Researcher of the Year for 2025!
Congratulations, Dr. Mitchell Dove! 🎉
Learn more at: pdx.edu/social-work/news/lakindra-mitchell-dove-ssw-researcher-of-the-year-25
