July 2025 Dean's Note

In June, I marked my one-year anniversary as dean of the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW). There was no better way to celebrate than to participate in our numerous spring Commencement ceremonies. (If you missed the Commencement festivities, you can view pictures of the Commencement celebration and PhD hooding ceremony.) It is so rewarding to see our students complete their social work degrees and fully enter the profession, where I know they will have a positive impact as they work to advance justice and help individuals and communities to thrive.

Please join me in congratulating our new MSW and PhD graduates and welcoming them as alumni and social work colleagues! In this issue, you’ll read about student award winners and some of our outstanding new MSW graduates, including Todd Herrmann, Laura Love and Maxine Metzger. Herrmann graduated from our Western Colorado MSW program, which was spotlighted in a recent article in the University of Denver Magazine. You’ll also read about MSW student Maya Barrientos, who hasn’t yet graduated but who is already poised to do great things. I am also delighted to share with you this year’s faculty and staff award winners.

Commencement was the culmination of a year filled with milestones and accomplishments, some of which I spotlighted at our State of the School gathering in May. Please take a moment to read about some of these highlights. I am grateful to everyone — staff, faculty, students, alumni, donors, community partners and friends — who have contributed to GSSW’s success, and ultimately, to the success of the students and communities we serve. I am excited for year two and confident that it will bring new and exciting changes while also continuing to demonstrate our clear commitment to social work values.

Henrika McCoy, MSW, MJ, PhD
Milton Morris Endowed Dean of Social Work and Professor