Category: Faculty News


Vital Team to Tackle Infant Mortality in Alabama Through AL-SBIRT Program

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – University of Alabama School of Social Work researchers will soon expand a statewide drug and mental health screening program to address infant mortality in Alabama. The School of Social Work’s Vital team, which oversees an $8 million AL-SBIRT contract, recently received $750,000 from the state to begin, “Reducing Infant Mortality Through Improved…


Debra Nelson-Gardell receives 2019 Kendall Grant

Dr. Debra Nelson-Gardell, Associate Professor and Coordinator of International Initiatives, has received the 2019 Kendall Grant. Dr. Nelson-Gardell would like to thank her Ghana partners, Ms Beth Okantey and Dr. Doris Boateng. To learn more about the Global Citizenship Through Web-based Social Work Education, please visit the Council on Social Work Education webpage.


UA Professor David Albright concludes work on National Academies’ committee

David L. Albright, Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Chair in Mental Health and professor, has concluded his work on the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to the Committee on the Well-being of Military Families. In Fall 2018, Dr. Albright was appointed to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering committee to study the challenges and opportunities facing…


UA Social Work Professor develops community-care network to combat opioids in Alabama

Dr. Hee Yun Lee, associate dean for research and Endowed Academic Chair in Social Work (Health) at The University of Alabama, will soon begin addressing opioid-related morbidity and mortality in four Alabama counties by developing a community care network to strengthen prevention, treatment and recovery. The Health Resources and Services Administration has awarded a UA-led…


Dr. Sebrena Jackson Selected to CSWE’s Program Director Academy

Dr. M. Sebrena Jackson, MSW program director and assistant professor of social work, has been selected for the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) 2019-2020 Program Director Academy cohort. Dr. Jackson was selected to the academy by CSWE and its Council on Leadership Development. The academy is a leadership certificate program for current baccalaureate and master’s program…


David L. Albright featured in NASW publication on opioid crisis

David L. Albright, Hill Crest Foundation Endowed Chair in Mental Health and professor of social work, was recently featured as as expert in Social Work Advocates, a National Association of Social Work magazine, on the topic of today’s opioid crisis in communities. In the article “Opioid Crisis: Social Work Solutions,” Dr. Albright, who also is director of…


UA social work professor to study cancer prevention behaviors among Alabama college students

Dr. Hee Yun Lee, associate dean of research and Endowed Academic Chair in Social Work (Health), is conducting a study investigating cancer preventative behaviors in college students at The University of Alabama. Cancer is a leading cause of death among Alabama residents. Even though studies have shown that preventative behaviors are effective in reducing cancer morbidity and…


Dr. Tania Alameda-Lawson honored for community engagement research

Dr. Tania Alameda-Lawson, associate professor of social work, has received a premier award from the The University of Alabama’s Council on Community-Based Partnerships (CCBP) for her work in in the area of community engagement. Dr. Lawson’s project Alabama TOPS will be recognized as an Outstanding Faculty/Staff-Initiated Engagement Effort for 2019.  This award includes recognition by the Council and…


Social Work faculty members named Innovation Scholar Team

Three faculty members in UA’s School of Social Work’s have been named a 2019 Innovation Scholar Team. The team members are: Dr. Tania Alameda-Lawson, associate professor of social work Dr. Karen Johnson, assistant professor of social work Sherron Wilkes, MSW Instructor For their team project, the group is collaborating with the College of Continuing Studies, Instructional Technology…


Nomination Period Open for 2020 Buford Peace Award

March 3, 2020 Nominations are now being accepted for the School of Social Work’s 2020 Lahoma Adams Buford Peace Award. **Due to postponements and cancelations brought about by COVID-19, the deadline for UA students, faculty and staff to nominate a UA faculty member for the award has been extended through May 1. Previously nominated candidates also…