University of Missouri School of Social Work

06/01/2026

Congratulations to MSW/PhD graduate Dr. Douglas Attoh Odongo on this well-deserved recognition from SSWR! 🎉 His research is helping improve employment outcomes and quality of life for young adults with autism, and we are proud to celebrate his accomplishments and contributions to the field of social work research. 👏💛🖤

Meet SSWR member Dr. Douglas Attoh Odongo, who recently successfully defended his dissertation at the University of Missouri in Columbia, which focused on improving employability and job satisfaction among young adults with autism. Congratulations, Dr. Odongo!

He holds a Bachelor of Social Work and an MPhil. in Sociology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. He is forging applied research in the world of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. His research advances applied work in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders, with a focus on identifying evidence-based interventions that support young adults with autism as they transition into adulthood. He has also published on intellectual disabilities and healthcare, urban streets and education, and continues to expand his research contributions. Learn more about Dr. Odongo here: https://sswr.org/news/727643/SSWR-Member-Spotlight-Dr.-Douglas-Odongo.htm

05/27/2026

Upcoming deadline:

Applications to the online BSW professional program are 𝗱𝘂𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟭 for the Fall 2026 cohort. For additional information visit our Secondary Application website.

Step 1: Apply to Mizzou Type of student Application instructions First-time college student Apply to MU and choose Social Work – Pre-Social Work as your major. Transfer students Complete the MU Undergraduate Admissions Application and note “Pre-Social Work” as your intended majo...

05/20/2026

𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Dr. Clark Peters, Associate Professor, presented at the International Foster Care Research Conference in Zagreb, Croatia on his study, Embracing Risk: Resituating Safety, Wellbeing, and Permanency in Dignity of Risk Framework to Transform Child Welfare. This research was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Caitlin Bartley.

05/19/2026

The SSW has a lot to celebrate this month! Please join us in congratulating our outstanding social work faculty members who were recognized at the College of Health Sciences Awards Celebration yesterday! 🎉👏

🏆 Dr. Dani Adams — Excellence in Clinical Services Award
🏆 Dr. Jen First — Lewis & Clark Discovery Early Career Award
🏆 Dr. Ashley Givens — Lewis & Clark Discovery Award for Excellence
🏆 Dr. Mansoo Yu (not pictured) — Faculty Engagement Award

These awards reflect the dedication, innovation, and impact our faculty bring to teaching, research, service, and community engagement every day. We are grateful for all they do to advance social work and support our students and communities. 💛🖤

05/18/2026

What a wonderful weekend celebrating our newest graduates! 🎓✨

This past Saturday, we proudly recognized 83 social work graduates as they crossed the stage and officially joined the next generation of social work professionals. Faculty and staff loved cheering on each graduate and celebrating all of the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that brought them to this moment. 👏💛🖤

We were also deeply honored to award a posthumous PhD degree to Cait Bartley. Cait’s mother and uncle accepted the award on her behalf, making for a meaningful and moving moment as we recognized her scholarship, advocacy, and lasting impact. ❤️

Congratulations to all of our graduates, we can’t wait to see the difference you will make in your communities and beyond!

05/15/2026

🎓✨ Congratulations to our 83 Social Work graduates who walk across the stage tomorrow! ✨🎓

The future of social work is bright, and we are proud to celebrate this outstanding group of graduates as they begin careers dedicated to advocacy, service, and strengthening communities. They have worked hard in their educational journeys, and are now off to create meaningful impact in the field. We are thrilled to call them social work colleagues! 💛🐯🖤

05/11/2026

The MU School of Social Work is honored to celebrate the life, scholarship, and enduring impact of Caitlin Bartley. 💛🖤 Her commitment to advancing conversations around disability, autonomy, and the dignity of risk leaves a meaningful legacy that will continue to inspire our students, faculty, and community.

Congratulations, Dr. Bartley. 🎓