In March, alumna Melanie R. Bridgeforth began in her new position as president and chief executive officer of The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham. “The work of The Women’s Fund is essential to helping vulnerable families in Greater Birmingham and beyond secure a brighter economic future,” Bridgeforth said. “I am honored to be asked to…
UA social work alumna Jessica Averitt Taylor, assistant professor of social work in the College of Education and Human Services’ Department of Counseling, Social Work and Leadership at Northern Kentucky University, was honored as one of 31 Wise Women of Northern Kentucky University in March. The honor recognizes women on NKU’s campus who have made…
Alumna Amy B. Mansue, president of the Southern Region of RWJBarnabas Health, has been named chair of the Board of the New Jersey Hospital Association, the state’s oldest and largest hospital and healthcare advocacy organization. She received the appointment in January 2018. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to improve wellness for both…
Dr. Matthew J. Cuellar, assistant professor of social work at Yeshiva University’s Wurzweiler School of Social Work, has been awarded a three-year, $1 million grant from the National Institute of Justice’s Comprehensive School Safety Initiative to conduct research on effective school safety systems. The initiative was created in a response to disturbing, high-profile incidents of…
UA Social Work alumnus Jerry Milner will lead the federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that oversees federal child welfare funding and policy. He was hired by the Trump administration in June 2017. Established in 1977, the Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) oversees the Family and Youth Services Bureau as well…
Patricia Swift Blalock, who integrated Selma’s public library in the 1960s, was posthumously inducted into the Alabama Social Work Hall of Fame Sept. 22. Blalock, along with four others in the 2017 class, were honored during a ceremony at the NorthRiver Yacht Club in Tuscaloosa. Blalock’s social work and advocacy career began as an assistant…
The former director of the Department of Youth Services and one of the leaders of Alabama’s trailblazing Children’s Health Insurance Program are among the 2016 inductees to the Alabama Social Work Hall of Fame. James Dupree Jr., who retired in 1998 as executive director of Alabama Department of Youth Services; Gayle Lees Sandlin, former director…
The Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama honored UA social work alumnae Madeleine Hill and Lillie Leatherwood at the 2017 Women of Distinction Awards Luncheon in March for being exemplary role models for today’s girls and positively impacting their communities. Hill and Leatherwood were honored as one of 12 Women of Distinction. Hill, a community activist and founder…
UA social work alumnus William D. Suclupe (’11, ’14 MSW), a decorated Iraq War veteran, has been awarded the UA Campus Veterans Association’s 2017 Colonel David Hillman Pryce Award. Suclupe was honored for his outstanding service to the veteran and military community at the University. Established by CVA in 2013, the award is presented annually to…
Alumna Raevan Howard is focused on changing Tuscaloosa for the better after being elected to the City Council in March. District 2 challenger Raevan Howard (’14) defeated six-term Tuscaloosa City Councilman Harrison “Mailman” Taylor in Tuscaloosa’s municipal election held in March. The unofficial count in the municipal election put Howard over the top with 57…
