April 2025 Community Highlights

University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work faculty and staff continue to be recognized as leaders in the field by peers and the broader community. Here are some of their recent accomplishments and community impacts:

• Scheduling Coordinator Marlee Hassell's poetry was featured in the 4th Annual RISE Art Show from April 1 - 30.
    
• Associate Professor Ramona Beltrán is the new Editor of Poetry and Creative Works for Affilia: Feminist Inquiry in Social Work.
   
• Assistant Professor Tyrone Hamler was awarded a Professional Research Opportunity for Faculty (PROF) grant from the University of Denver for his project "Health-Related Social Needs of Black Dialysis Patients: Patient and Provider Perspectives." 
   
• PhD students Alex Ochs, Akeem Modeste-James and My Ngoc To were awarded Office of Graduate Education Dissertation Fellowships for Spring 2025.
   
• MSW student Jackie Webb received the Colorado Child Welfare Scholars Consortium Outstanding Graduate Award, which recognizes a graduate from a social work program who remains actively involved in the Colorado child welfare community. This award honors a scholar who demonstrates excellence through a strong commitment to supporting families and promoting their success.
   
• MSW Student Michelle Wohlgemuth received the Outstanding Field Instructor Award for her exemplary work at the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services. This award honors a field instructor or task supervisor who supports Colorado Child Welfare Scholars Consortium scholars in completing their required internships at human service agencies in child welfare positions. This recognition highlights Michelle's commitment to helping scholars build both confidence and competence in the child welfare field, as well as fostering a vision for a meaningful and impactful career.
   
• PhD student Shikha Advani was selected as a fellow in the American Psychological Association’s Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program.
   
• PhD student Iris Vanegas was recognized by the Center for Community Engagement to advance Scholarship and Learning as their Public Good Student of the Year.