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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 D'25 | Adjunct Assistant Faculty
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 | Adjunct Assistant Faculty
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.S.W., LCSW

Doctoral Candidate D '25 | Adjunct Assistant Faculty
Ezra Yurman-Whyde is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in New York City. He works with children, adolescents, and adults. He received his…