Social Work Newsletter | Fall 2021 Recap
Dear School of Social Work Alumni and Friends:
I want to wish you all a Happy New Year! As we enter the third year of a constantly evolving pandemic, we continue to build our creativity and resilience alongside the challenges and losses we experience.
Despite the difficulties of COVID-19, I hope you’re able to feel a sense of gratitude and optimism for new developments and opportunities.
Personally, I feel extremely grateful for the tremendous generosity and mutual support of the Colorado State University community. My first six months in the school have been filled with inspiring conversations, examples of hard work and great achievements, and a shared commitment to service on campus and to the broader community.
This fall marked a turning point for the campus as we resumed face-to-face learning. It’s not always easy to be in person, but it is truly a joy to have more three-dimensional conversations when teaching and learning. The semester culminated in the first in-person graduation ceremonies on campus in two years. Celebrating the accomplishments of our Fall 2021 BSW and MSW graduates at Moby Arena was a very special experience.
The newsletter stories below highlight some of the activities and accomplishments in the school this fall. These are just a few examples of the many ways staff, faculty, and students are rising to the challenges we face as a community, centering justice and equity, and learning and growing. I hope you read something that sparks your interest and makes you proud to support the school. Please stay in touch and stay safe!
Charlotte Lyn Bright, Ph.D., M.S.W.
She/Her
Director and Professor
Applying equity principles for an environmental justice career
“I enjoy the opportunity to make a positive impact on people’s health and well-being,” said Selina Lujan de Albers, who currently manages indoor air quality programs for the city of Fort Collins. “I love what I do because we are making a difference.”
Improving the child welfare system in Colorado using macro skills
“I explored MSW programs and found a great fit with CSU’s part-time distance program,” said Yolanda Arredondo, deputy director for the Colorado Division of Child Welfare. “Since graduating, I have received two promotions in my field.”
Community connections gave priceless support to social work grad Valerie Villalobos
Support networks in the School of Social Work and Fort Collins community helped first-gen grad Valerie Villalobos succeed academically and make an impact locally. “I am a big believer in community connection.”
Jenna Biedscheid aims to build a career in international human rights
Education abroad and international internships at CSU helped solidify Jenna Biedscheid’s decision to pursue a law degree and realize “the route I want to take with social work and my vision for dismantling oppressive systems.”
Social work grad Luis Enrique Loya hasn’t looked back since choosing CSU
Luis Enrique Loya is passionate about pursuing a career in clinical social work practice. Read about his experiences as a student at Colorado State University in our Q&A interview with this outstanding Fall 2021 social work grad.
New growth in the Center for Lifelong Learning, Outreach, and Education will extend benefit across Colorado
As the new director of CLOE, Associate Professor Paula Yuma aims to support skill-building within the human service workforce that will enhance the health and well-being of Colorado residents and communities.
Social Aspects of Human-Animal Interactions certificate focuses on animal-assisted therapy
This unique certificate program will train you how to safely and ethically integrate companion animals into a variety of treatment settings and create mutually beneficial relationships with animals and the environment.
Brown receives NIH grant to study early childhood development and risk
Assistant Professor Samantha Brown is a recipient of an R03 grant from the National Institutes of Health for a project examining the role of both mothers and fathers in shaping early childhood development and risk.
Social Work Research Center to begin anti-trafficking project
Understanding human trafficking incidence data and analyzing referrals to culturally appropriate and trauma-responsive services are primary goals for social work researchers.
