Excellence in Teaching at the Graduate School of Social Work

Jana Edwards

The critical role social workers play in society is clearer now more than ever. As Jana Edwards, an alumna of the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW), says, “there is no better profession to address the struggles of the day, from the mental health needs exposed by the pandemic to the call for more assistance to law enforcement, than social work.”

It is thanks to the support of generous donors and alumni like Edwards that the Graduate School of Social Work can commit to enhancing and expanding its clinical expertise, ensuring that our graduates are equipped to meet the ever-changing needs of society.

Edwards stepped forward to lead a robust community fundraising campaign for an elite faculty position, which would ensure GSSW has one of the best clinical social work programs in the nation. The funds raised currently support a Clinical Master Teacher Fund, which awards an outstanding teacher whose work provides critical support to clinical education at GSSW. Fundraising for a faculty position is ongoing, with a goal of endowing a Clinical Chair Fund. Edwards continues to champion the cause, and she and her husband, Rick Poppe, are providing significant funding for the faculty position over the next four years.

"The final element that GSSW needs to provide the most sought-after clinical social work program in the country is an endowed Clinical Chair, who will coordinate comprehensive and cohesive clinical training, recruit the finest clinical social work faculty available, and ensure the continuation of an excellent clinical social work program in perpetuity,” said Edwards. “As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker myself, I made a promise to my colleagues who are DU alums that I would see to it that this happens, and I'm going to keep that promise."

Because of her generosity, Edwards is a member of the Spire Society, Crimson & Gold, and Jane Addams Circle giving societies at DU.