Colorado State University-School of Social Work

Colorado State University-School of Social Work We focus on social justice, equity and equality, anti-oppression, and enhancing health and well-being

In 1968 the Colorado Department of Social Services and CSU entered an agreement to create a full baccalaureate social work major that would be housed in the Department of Sociology, delivered by a faculty of professional social workers, and funded with Title XX funds supporting 75% of the program costs. The agreement anticipated that the cost of operating the program would gradually shift to the u

niversity, and by 1977 it would be fully funded by CSU. A total of 150 students initially declared the social work major, and the first graduating class received the BA in social work in 1971. Social work encompasses empowering and advocacy activities directed toward individuals, families, groups, organizations, social institutions, and communities for enhancement or restoration of their capacity for social functioning and for creating societal conditions favorable to that goal. Utilizing theories of human behavior and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments, seeks to promote human decency, personal dignity and respect for human rights, social justice, social and cultural tolerance and global peace.

We can't stop celebrating these incredible   !Congratulations to these Master of Social Work graduates celebrating their...
05/20/2026

We can't stop celebrating these incredible !

Congratulations to these Master of Social Work graduates celebrating their hooding ceremony. These graduates will change the world, and we can't wait!

Find even more pictures from the cereomony on our Flickr acount:
https://col.st/aw1bl

Congratulations to School of Social Work outstanding grad, Caroline Jones! Caroline chose social work to help people thr...
05/14/2026

Congratulations to School of Social Work outstanding grad, Caroline Jones!

Caroline chose social work to help people through difficult experiences and she's learned so much from her peers and her mentors during her time at CSU!

You're going to change the world, Caroline! We're so proud of you!
Read more about Caroline:
col.st/neo3g

Gratitude all around 🐾This semester,  celebrated the volunteers (human and canine), the HABIC team, and the students and...
05/12/2026

Gratitude all around 🐾
This semester, celebrated the volunteers (human and canine), the HABIC team, and the students and graduate students whose work makes this mission possible. 🐕💛💚

There's still time to register your middle-school student for the School of Social Work's Empowering YOUth Summer Progra...
04/02/2026

There's still time to register your middle-school student for the School of Social Work's Empowering YOUth Summer Program!

June 15-18, 2026
Participants in this program will create their own advocacy projects, connect with awesome new friends, meet social workers in the community, and have a blast learning, creating, and growing!

Register here: https://col.st/ed516

Sneak Peek! Here are just a few of the incredible images that will be on display at Through the Lens: Life Beyond Young ...
03/31/2026

Sneak Peek! Here are just a few of the incredible images that will be on display at Through the Lens: Life Beyond Young Adult Cancer Photo Exhibit.

This exhibit features the artwork of 16 young adult cancer survivors from across the country, each telling their personal story through perspectives often unseen.

On display at the Center for Creativity - 200 Mathews St. Fort Collins, April 8-12 with reception April 11, 3-5 p.m.

This art is a part of Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch's photovoice research project, a participatory project with young adults living with cancer. It is the culmination of a 5-year project as part of the career scholars award from Cambia Health Foundation and is generously sponsored by the Cambia Health Foundation.

Featured here is artwork from Tabitha, April, and Stephanie.

We’re celebrating Social Work Month with KC Moe!💚What does Social Work mean to you?Social work embodies a visionary etho...
03/30/2026

We’re celebrating Social Work Month with KC Moe!
💚What does Social Work mean to you?
Social work embodies a visionary ethos. Social workers are changemakers, advocating for social justice on both individual and systemic levels. They play a pivotal role in addressing inequalities, their efforts extending beyond mere support to profoundly re-shaping the frameworks of society.

💛What communities do you hope to impact through your degree?
Having experienced life as a refugee myself, I am passionate about making a positive difference for other refugee families and the wider community through my studies. My main goal is to help people feel comfortable sharing their feelings without fear of judgment, especially when it comes to mental health issues. By tackling these challenges directly, we can help heal the lasting pain many families have endured over the years, paving the way for a better future for the next generation.

💚What do you love most about studying social work at CSU?
What I find most appealing about pursuing a degree in social work at CSU is the program's high level of flexibility, which enables graduates to succeed in a variety of careers. CSU nurtures a welcoming and supportive community. The professors and students create a positive environment that helps everyone learn and grow professionally. When I began the program, I didn't have much knowledge of social work. Thankfully, my professors and classmates were incredibly supportive, helping me understand the material and guiding me through the learning journey.

💛Is there anything else you'd like to share that you feel is important to your story?
I am truly grateful for the opportunity to pursue my Master of Social Work (MSW) at CSU. Before embarking on this higher education journey, I often felt trapped in a mindset that limited my potential. It’s as if I had been brainwashed into believing that I couldn’t achieve anything meaningful. My experience in social work has been transformative. It has taught me that anything is possible when we put our minds to it. I feel a renewed sense of hope and a deep commitment to social justice, recognizing the power to create positive change in the world.

We’re celebrating Social Work Month and featuring Isabela Bernal!💚What does Social Work mean to you?Social work is about...
03/26/2026

We’re celebrating Social Work Month and featuring Isabela Bernal!
💚What does Social Work mean to you?
Social work is about supporting people and helping them access the resources they need while recognizing their strengths. It’s listening, guiding, and being there for people as they work through challenges, creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and supported.

💛What communities do you hope to impact through your degree?
I’m focused on supporting students from underrepresented groups, including multilingual and newcomer students, and helping their families feel connected to school and community resources. Schools are central hubs for information and resources, and as a school social worker, I aim to increase access to mental health services and strengthen connections with local agencies and programs.

💚What do you love most about studying social work at CSU?
I love being part of the distance cohort at CSU! Even though we aren’t physically together all the time, we’ve built such a close-knit group and are always connecting and supporting each other. I truly feel like I’ve found a community.

💛Why should someone study social work at CSU?
The Generalist Program at CSU has shown me just how diverse the field of social work can be. I was especially drawn to CSU because of its commitment to anti-oppressive social work, and I see that value reflected throughout the program. CSU’s social work program challenges us to think critically about the systems that impact people’s lives and how we can support both individuals and the communities they’re part of.

💚Can you share a bit about your previous work or community experiences related to your social work journey?
Mental health has always been a passion of mine, and I’ve wanted to work in school-based mental health for a long time. After undergrad, I started as a community liaison at an elementary school and fell in love with the work. Helping families with things like food and clothing, while supporting their students’ emotional needs, sparked my passion for social work. I take pride in being someone students and families can rely on and trust.

We’re celebrating Social Work Month by featuring social work student Erika Cabrera!💚What does social work mean to you?To...
03/25/2026

We’re celebrating Social Work Month by featuring social work student Erika Cabrera!

💚What does social work mean to you?
To me, Social Work is a helping profession that is intentional in understanding each person’s unique experiences. As a first-generation student, a woman of color, and the daughter of immigrant parents from Michoacan, I carry with me the history, sacrifices, and resilience of my family and community.

💛What communities do you hope to impact through your degree and what impacts do you hope to have?
I faced a lot of adversity as an adolescent, and I often think about my school social worker who supported me through that time. It’s one of many experiences that have shaped me and helped me think about how to show up thoughtfully and respectfully as an advocate and ally for others. At the center of every case is a person, a family, and their lived experience. I am pursuing social work to become a Children’s Advocate, focusing on supporting families and children affected by separation and systemic barriers.

💚What do you love most about studying social work at CSU?
This graduate program is offered in a hybrid, asynchronous format. I am a mom, wife, working full-time, with a toddler and a growing family. I was intentional about choosing a program that felt supportive. There are a few parents in the cohort who are also raising little ones, and it’s been nice going through this journey together. I value how the program is designed to support individuals at different stages of their lives. That was a big factor in my decision to apply.

💛Can you share a bit about your previous work or community experiences related to your social work journey?
I worked in Immigration Advocacy, first as a paralegal preparing family-based cases, then as a Constituent Advocate, offering support to constituents across Colorado who were having difficulties with cases pending with federal agencies. I understood the fear and uncertainty many families experienced throughout their process and focused on doing outreach in communities with a strong Spanish-speaking presence. In college, I focused on supporting first-generation students through mentorship.

Early this month, we proudly held an open house in collaboration with our friends at NASW Colorado to celebrate Social W...
03/24/2026

Early this month, we proudly held an open house in collaboration with our friends at NASW Colorado to celebrate Social Work Month!

In recognition of this field we love, students, faculty, and staff connected with NASW-CO Northern Region members, discussing opportunities and perspectives, and presented awards to the legendary Bruce Hall, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in the Profession of Social Work award, and Jim Kuemmerle, recipient of the 2026 Social Worker of the Year award 🏅

We're happy to have the folks from NASW-CO to help us commemorate the tremendous impact social work has on our world!

Congratulations to Ph. D. candidate Yixuan Wang on the publication of "The Body Has a Way of Dying: An Embodied Understa...
02/24/2026

Congratulations to Ph. D. candidate Yixuan Wang on the publication of "The Body Has a Way of Dying: An Embodied Understanding of the Pursuit of Medical Aid in Dying Among Terminally Ill Individuals."

Using an embodied lens, this article examines how terminally ill individuals experience and pursue medical aid in dying, paying attention to how suffering, dying, agency, and meaning are perceived through the body.

This study makes a distinctive contribution by developing an embodied framework for understanding MAID that centers on multiple bodily dimensions, including biological, sociopolitical, and lived experiences.

This publication is part of a broader series on medical aid in dying led by Dr. Jen Currin-McCulloch through the Serious Illness and End-of-Life Narratives Lab.

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