FAU GRADUATES FIRST DOCTOR OF SOCIAL WORK CLASS

Florida Atlantic University’s first class of Doctor of Social Work (DSW) graduates from the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within the College for Design and Social Inquiry recently earned their degrees. The DSW degree is the first program of its kind to be offered in the state of Florida. 

The first cohort consisted of Phoenix Adams, Karen Baldwin, Jaime-Lee Conner, Brandy Hughey, Taryn Jaramillo, Leslie Meskin, and Heather Sandala.  

“We have been privileged to have such an amazing first Doctor of Social Work cohort,” said Naelys Luna, Ph.D., director of the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work. “They have lit the torch that will be carried into our program’s bright future for years to come. I couldn’t be prouder to have these talented professionals representing our school as they begin their practice as clinical scholars, impacting the lives of so many people and transforming our community.”

The DSW Program prepares graduates for leadership roles in advanced clinical practice, clinical supervision, social work education, and practice-oriented research and evaluation.

“I am extremely proud of the graduating cohort,” said Manny González, Ph.D., doctoral program coordinator and associate professor in the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work. “Each of the seven graduating students have been prepared to assume the role of a clinical scholar and positions of leadership in advanced clinical practice, clinical supervision, social work education and practice-oriented research. They are well equipped to develop and disseminate knowledge aimed at promoting the biological, psychological and social well-being of individuals, families and groups within an environmental context.”

In November 2015, the Florida Board of Governors approved FAU’s Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work to begin to offer the degree of Doctor of Social Work. The first cohort started in fall 2016.

For more information on FAU’s Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work, visit cdsi.fau.edu/ssw.

-FAU-