Latest News

Read the latest news from the Smith College School for Social Work community.

Alumni September 19, 2025

Fall 2025: Creating Connections and Community

This September, casual alumni meetups around the U.S. are a chance to reconnect with…

Janae Peters, Katie Potocnik Medina and Samantha Mishne hug, take selfie and Janae holds up a Smithie heart temporary tattoo

Faculty September 16, 2025

From Courtrooms to Classrooms: Ruth Spencer’s Social Work Journey

Ruth Spencer J.D., M.S.S.A., L.I.S.W., can’t quit the Smith College School for Social Wo…

Ruth Spencer in the classroom

M.S.W. July 25, 2025

AITA : Humor and Healing in College Counseling with Yvonne Kawamura

What happens when a room full of students waves red flags?Sex and relationships are messy…

Yvonne Kawamura sitting with pink wall and whiteboard behind

School June 25, 2025

People News: Recent SSW Publications & Media Mentions

Entries are chronological based on submission date. Send us your news hereShreya…

A wheel of colorful fabric against a beige background. Text reads Molly Bogin

Ph.D. June 17, 2025

Living Between Here and There: María Ximena Maldonado-Morales' Dissertation

Getting to the final step of a Ph.D. and defending the dissertation you’ve worked…

Maria Maldonado-Morales wearing bright pink shirt against grey wall smiling

Ph.D. May 29, 2025

Lifting Every Voice: Nicole Wilson-Faniel’s Dissertation on Black Clinicians’ Experiences

Shared stories and experiences, including in the course of doing dissertation research, ca…

Nicole Faniel-Wilson wearing black tshirt smiling against grey wall with art hanging

Alumni April 11, 2025

Bridging Innovation and Personal Passion: Helen Chao

Receiving the 2024 SSW Emerging Leader Award, says Helen Chao M.S.W. ’19, feels like con…

Helen Chao speaking behind a podium with mic

School April 10, 2025

Dean Yoshioka Announces Retirement

In a letter to the community on April 3, 2025, Dean Marianne Yoshioka, M.S.W., MBA, Ph.D.,…

Marianne Yoshioka stands behind a granite post, leaning on it smiling with green trees behind

Alumni April 09, 2025

SSW Alumni Awards Recognize Leadership and Innovation- Seeking 2025 Nominees

After a pause during COVID-19 lockdown, the SSW Alumni Awards were refreshed and expanded…

2025 Alumni Award Winners stand with Dean Marianne Yoshioka (minus Mike Langlois)

Letters from the Dean April 08, 2025

A Personal Message from Marianne Yoshioka

Dean Yoshioka will retire in June 2026 after ten years leading Smith College School for Social Work.

Dean Marianne Yoshioka smiles at the camera wearing a pink top and a dark grey blazer.