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A group of Ph.D. students sit in the classroom engaged in conversation with one another. They are seated around a wooden table and a screen in the background displays an image.
First Year Candidates
Hannah Biskind headshot

Hannah Biskind, LICSW

Doctoral Candidate D '26
Hannah Biskind, LICSW graduated with her M.S.W. from Hunter College-CUNY in 2016 with a specialization in global social work with immigrants and refugees. Since…
Shira Lazarus headshot

Shira Lazarus, LMSW

Doctoral Candidate D '26
Shira Lazarus is originally from New York City where she grew up hanging out at museums, in Central Park; going to shows and listening to live music. Aside from…
Makia Matheis portrait wearing lavender shirt against white wall

Makia Matheis, LICSW

Doctoral Candidate D'26
Makia Matheis, a licensed independent clinical social worker and doctoral candidate at Smith College, brings over a decade of experience to her practice and…
Nava Rafati headsho

Nava Rafati, LICSW

Doctoral Candidate D '26
Nava Rafati earned her B.A. from Yale University and a masters in social work with a focus on child and family services from Columbia University. She is a…
Second Year Candidates
Lisette Aminta Rodriguez, M.S.W., LCSW headshot

Lisette Aminta Rodriguez, M.S.W., LCSW

Doctoral Candidate
Lisette Rodriguez is a licensed clinical social worker, first-generation student, and Salvadorian American who draws inspiration from her family’s resilience…
Samantha Thomas Headshot

Samantha Thomas, M.S.W., SWC

Doctoral Candidate D '25
Samantha Thomas is a clinical social worker serving in both community mental health and psychiatric hospital settings and also serving as an adjunct professor…
Ezra Yurman Whyde headshot

Ezra Yurman-Whyde, M.S.W., LCSW

Doctoral Candidate D '25
Ezra Yurman-Whyde is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in New York City. He works with children, adolescents, and adults. Right now, Ezra’s…