School Updates
The CHURCH (Congregations as Healers United to Restore Community Health) project, led by Assistant Professor Deborah Moon, David E. Epperson Endowed Chair and Professor John Wallace, and Assistant Professor and Director of Community Engagement Aliya Durham, received a 2024 Partnerships of Distinction award at the annual Community Engaged Scholarship Forum hosted by the Pitt Office of Engagement and Community Affairs. Durham also was honored as the 2024 Collaboration Champion at the event.
MSW Program Director and Assistant Professor Yodit Betru published a new book, “Becoming a Social Worker for Dummies.”
Associate Dean for Research and Associate Professor Jaime Booth was named a 2024 fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research. Additionally, her article, “Examining Parental Monitoring, Neighborhood Peer Anti-social Behavior, and Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Control as a Pathway to Adolescent Substance Use,” was selected as an editor’s choice paper by the Journal of Child and Family Studies, indicating that it is a high-quality publication with likely interest among the journal’s readership and beyond.
Kyaien Conner, Donald M. Henderson Chair and professor; associate dean for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and director of the Center on Race and Social Problems, along with students from the School of Social Work, was hosted by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for National Association of Social Workers Legislative Education and Advocacy Day in March 2024. Conner also was chosen to participate in the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference Academic Leaders Network.
Shaun Eack, professor and James J. and Noel W. Browne Chair, received the 2024 Connie Lieber Science to Practice Award at the 26th Annual Cognitive Remediation in Psychiatry Conference.
Associate Professor James Huguley was selected for the inaugural PittEI3 (Equitable, Inclusive, Innovation and Incubation) fellowship.
Ron Idoko, associate director of the Center on Race and Social Problems, founding director of the Racial Equity Consciousness Institute, and research assistant professor, was honored with the 2024 Creating a Just Community Award from the Pitt Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Idoko also received the Dr. Larry E. Davis Emerging Scholar Award at the 2024 Dr. Larry E. Davis Black Excellence in the Academy Award Dinner.
Associate Professor Nev Jones was chair of the 2024 International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis United States Chapter 23rd Annual Conference, New Beginnings: Reimagining Psychosis Services and Systems in the United States, held in Pittsburgh in November 2024.
BASW Program Director and Assistant Professor Toya Jones launched the “Healing Overflow with Dr. Toy” social work podcast. The podcast airs every first and third Thursday at noon. Jones also was named a 2024 Passion Meets the Road awardee from Vision Towards Peace.
Assistant Professor Deborah Moon is a guest editor for a special issue of the journal Youth, titled Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) on Positive Mental Health of Youth and Emerging Adults.
Child Welfare Education for Baccalaureates Academic Coordinator and Assistant Professor Brooke Rawls was named to the New Pittsburgh Courier’s 2024 Fab 40 under 40 list.
Kyaien Conner, director of the Center on Race and Social Problems, and Associate Professor James Huguley joined social work students and social workers as Mayor Ed Gainey presented a proclamation naming March 2024 Uplifting Social Work Month in the city of Pittsburgh.