Gary Bachman, MSSW ’82, retired from his faculty position at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, with the rank of Emeritus Professor, becoming one of only 27 faculty members to have been so honored. He remains active on the boards of several social service agencies on both sides of the state line in the metropolitan Kansas City area.
Michael Spencer, MSSW ’92, was appointed dean of the University of Washington School of Social Work in July 2023, serving as the first-ever Native Hawaiian dean at UW.
Lynn Alsup, BSW ’92, MSSW ’96, released her memoir Tinderbox (ISBN 978-1-64742-541-8) in September 2023.
Jennifer Luna, MSSW ’95, retired from the University of Texas at Austin following a 28-year career with the Steve Hicks School of Social Work.
Susan Mapp, MSSW ’96, served as co-editor on the new book Successful Baccalaureate Social Work Programs: A Guide for Current and Emerging Leaders by CSWE Press.
Jonathan Singer, LCSW, MSSW ’96, received the prestigious NASW Pioneer Award. In addition to being a professor at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work, he is the host of The Social Work Podcast, which has more than eight million downloads.
Todd Douglas, LCSW, MSSW ’96, became the CEO at Mind Body Optimization.
Michelle Ballan, Ph.D. ‘02, received the 2024 Building Knowledge Through Research Award from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crimes.
Lorena Sanchez, BSW ’06, MSSW ’08, began a new role as the director of admissions at SHS, following 15+ years of direct experience building and enhancing strategic relationships and partnerships with federal, state, and local entities.
Sarah Lackey, MSSW ’08, was awarded Field Instructor of the Year award by St. Edward’s University for her work with the Texas Advocacy Project.
Donna Aguiniga, Ph.D. ’10, became the Assistant Dean of the School of Social Work and SSWEND Scholar Mentor at the University of Alaska, Anchorage.
Emily Shryock, MSSW ’15, was appointed as the inaugural director of the University of Texas Disability Cultural Center (DCC).
Karla González Suitt, Ph.D. ’16, served in representation of Chilean social work educators with the University of Texas, presenting “Social Work Resilience in Chile: 50 Years of Growth Following the Chilean Coup D’état” at SHS as part of an on-going relationship between SHS and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
Olivia Branscomb-Burgess, MSSW ’17, began a new role as clinical supervisor with the pediatric inpatient unit at Kitsap Mental Health Services.
Rachel Gandy, MSSW ’17, became chief of staff for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department in August 2023.
Christina Loftus, JD, LMSW, ACC, MSSW ’17, embarked on her new position as a Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) Clinical Professional at the State Bar of Texas in September 2023.
Anao Zhang, Ph.D. ’18, assumed the role of Associate Director for the Curtis Center for Health Equity Research and Training housed at the University of Michigan School of Social Work.
Karen “Yvette” Bermudez, LMSW, MSSW ’22, became a public health advisor in the 988 and Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Kiki Avilez, LMSW, MSSW ’23, earned her Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) license and began a role with Austin Bilingual Therapy.
Shannon Doyle, MSW ’23, started a role as a Research Associate with the AdoptUSKids Evaluation Team.
Jairo León, MSSW ’23, began a role as a clinical mental health professional at the Gardner Betts Juvenile Justice Center in Travis County.
Sarah Stransky, BSW ’21, MSSW ’23, started a role with Dell Children’s Mental Health Unit as a medical social worker.