Department News
BSW Program Updates
The BSW Program is implementing two new developments designed to better support students as they enter and progress through the professional curriculum. Beginning this year, the program will offer two admission cycles annually, with application deadlines of March 1 and September 30. This change will allow for greater flexibility and access for students preparing to enter the program.
Additionally, the BSW Program is introducing a new 1-credit Orientation to the BSW Program course, which students will complete during their first semester of professional curriculum coursework. The course is designed to help students transition into the professional phase of the program by introducing key expectations, professional standards, program policies, and resources that support student success.
USU Eastern (located in Price, Utah) will offer a full-time three-semester Advanced Standing MSW option beginning in summer 2026. Learn more about the Advanced Standing MSW option at USU Eastern.
Utah NASW Day on the Hill
On January 21, MSW and BSW students participated in Utah NASW's Day on the Hill, demonstrating a strong commitment to legislative advocacy and professional engagement. The department filled one and a half charter buses with MSW and BSW students from Logan and was also joined by several students who traveled from the Price campus alongside faculty.
Throughout the day, students heard from speakers on the importance of policy and advocacy in social work practice. A highlight of the experience was the opportunity to engage directly with local legislators during a question-and-answer session. For the Logan group, this included Senator Chris Wilson, Representative Casey Snider, and Representative Jason Thompson. Students asked thoughtful questions and gained valuable insight into the legislative process and the role of advocacy in advancing the profession.
Student Spotlight: Charlotte Prather
BSW 2026 graduate Charlotte Prather recently shared her journey into the social work field. She described overcoming mental health challenges, addiction, and unhealthy relationships, and shared that 18 years ago she began her recovery and has remained committed ever since.
After earning a certificate in substance use disorder counseling from Utah Valley University, she worked for more than 14 years as a substance use counselor. Wanting to expand the support she could offer clients, she returned to Utah State University to earn her degree in social work. She will graduate on April 18, 2026, and hopes to continue on to earn her master's in social work.
Student Spotlight: Lauren Kunz
Lauren Kunz, a BSW 2026 graduate and social work ambassador, shared her experience being in the social work program.
Faculty Promotions
Two social work faculty members received promotions effective July 1, 2026.
- Jen Evers: Promoted to Clinical Professor
- J.C. Sheen: Promoted to Associate Professor
Institutes and Initiatives
I-System Institute
Marette Monson, an alumna of the MSW program, obtained Mind Body Bridging certification while completing her MSW. She shared how she has applied this work in practice, including supervising Ukrainian psychologists who are working in Ukraine to address mental health needs under difficult circumstances. She noted that the group responded positively when introduced to Mind Body Bridging and the use of a mind map.
Transforming Communities Institute
The Transforming Communities Institute (TCI) recently launched the TCI Collaboratory, a partnership program connecting community members, faculty, staff, and students who are committed to building welcoming, safe, and healthy communities. Collaboratory members join at the Fellow, Associate, or Affiliate level and receive benefits such as access to mini grants, shared resources, mentoring, and invitations to collaborate on TCI initiatives.
Recent Events and Awards
BSW Practicum Dinner
In January, the Social Work Department hosted its annual BSW Practicum Dinner, bringing together 40 community partners and 70 BSW students who will begin practicum placements this fall. The event provided an opportunity for students to connect with agencies and professionals who make the field education program possible. Through conversation, networking, and shared commitment to community impact, the evening highlighted the strong partnerships that support student learning and professional development.
Social Work Student Association Chili Cookoff
The Social Work Student Association hosted its first chili cookoff, bringing students and faculty together for friendly competition and community building. With more than seven chili recipes entered, the event was a success. Dr. Chesney Ward won first place for white chicken chili.
USU Tooele Awards
Jenifer Ubico was recognized for her care, work ethic, and commitment to helping and connecting with others, especially children and older adults. Born in Guatemala and living in the United States for about 12 years, she shared that her life experience has helped shape her understanding of different cultures and backgrounds.
Kevin Campus has worked in health and human services since his undergraduate years, beginning with Child Protective Services in partnership with DCFS. He has since expanded his work through youth treatment centers and homeless services with Switchpoint, and completed his MSW practicum at Pebble Creek Counseling.
Crystal Rose has worked in social work with Salt Lake City DCFS for nearly 11 years and completed her practicum with MedVet as a veterinary social worker. She helped develop a successful veterinary social work program in Utah focused on grief, loss, and crisis support.
Social Work Recognition Banquet
The third Social Work Recognition Banquet was hosted at the USU Price Campus to kick off Social Work Month in March 2026. Alumni, students, faculty, and community partners from across the state gathered to celebrate the impact, dedication, and leadership of social workers.
- Advancing Excellence Award: Hunter Warren
- Distinguished Alumni Award: Kelland Brewer
- Diane Calloway-Graham Outstanding Field Instructor Award: Tricia Bennett
- Aggie Agency of Excellence Award: Pinnacle Canyon Academy
USU Professor Jan Thornton gave the keynote address based on the evening's theme, Proud to be a Social Worker.
Agency Field Instructor Luncheon
On April 7, the Field Program hosted its annual Agency Field Instructor Luncheon at Herm's Inn. The event provided an opportunity to thank community partners and agency field instructors for the mentorship, collaboration, and support they provide to USU BSW and MSW students.
2026 College Awards
The social work department was well represented at the College of Arts and Sciences 2026 award ceremony.
- Recognized departing faculty: Raini Heap
- Staff Excellence Award: Carmell Burns
- Aggie Spirit Award: Derrik Tollefson
- Undergraduate Research Mentor: Dorothy Wallis
- Scholar of the Year: Kaitlyn Line
- Social Work Student of the Year: Rachel Didericksen
- Professional Advisor of the Year: Cyrita Green
- Recognized departing faculty: Shannon Browne
Faculty Recognition
Professor Chesney Ward was nominated to serve on the Gerontological Society of America Minority Issues in Gerontology Advisory Panel for the next three years.
Professional Development Opportunities
Northern Utah Conference to End Violence
The 2026 Northern Utah Conference to End Violence will be held June 9, 2026, at the Riverwoods Conference Center in Logan, Utah.
Parenting Webinar Series
The Parent Connective and Bear River Health Department are collaborating on a parenting webinar series. Attend the last webinar offered in May!
Mind Body Bridging for Mental Health Clinicians
When: June 5, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Cost: $150
Continuing education: 6 CEUs
Learn more about and register for the Mind Body Bridging training.
2026 Utah Conference on Community Engagement
Join the Transforming Communities Institute at the 2026 Utah Conference on Community Engagement on May 11-13 at USU Eastern in Price! This exciting conference brings together leaders and professionals from across the state who are passionate about strengthening communities and creating meaningful change. Connect with others doing impactful work, share ideas, and learn new strategies for community engagement.
Register for the 2026 Utah Conference on Community Engagement.
Staying Human in the Work: Meaning Making
Presenter: Tami Curtis, LCSW
Date: May 15, 2026
Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., via Zoom
Continuing education: 1.5 CEUs
Cost: Free
Register for Staying Human in the Work: Meaning Making
Future continuing education sessions will be held on June 26 and July 27. View the TCI calendar for upcoming events.
Job Board
The department maintains a job board that is updated regularly with opportunities around the state and region.
Presentations, Publications, and Grants
Presentations
Ward, C. (2025, October). Roots & Rhizomes: Black Feminist and Womanist Dialogues Across the U.S. Southwest. The Cottage of Department of Women & Gender Studies, University of Colorado Boulder.
Our hearts are full seeing Dr. Droubay's work move forward with his former students, Emma and Andreina, alongside their colleagues Dr. Fisher and Dr. Becerra.
Prior to their presentation at the Society for Social Work and Research meeting in January, Emma shared this tribute:
"Thank you all for being here. The three of us are here today because of our lead on this study, Dr. Brian Droubay. Brian passed away on December 3rd. It’s my honor to dedicate this presentation to him. Brian’s absence in this field, and many of our lives, will be deeply mourned. Brian was irreplaceable, but he raised a small army of social workers, that will have his name on any good thing we ever do. Brian was brilliant at turning despair into hope and hope into action. He always fought for the underdog. During his last months, he expressed that although things have felt incredibly heavy lately in the current climate, he had never been more grateful to be in this field. And to be surrounded by do-gooders. There is no small act, everything has a ripple effect. Now is the time to press forward. So I hope we can go to our respective communities and be scrappy and be a force for good, even in grim times. Because that's what Brian would do."
On February 27, Jenifer Evers (USU BSW Program Director), Amanda Barrandey (USU BSW Field Director) and Jess Lucero (Department of Social Work Department Head), presented at the 2026 Baccalaureate Program Directors Conference in New Orleans. Their session, Faculty Teaming as Strategy and Value: Building Effective, Empowering, and Enjoyable Programs, explored how intentional collaboration among faculty can strengthen program functioning while supporting professional values central to social work education.
The interactive session engaged attendees in structured reflection and practical activities focused on navigating institutional dynamics, supporting faculty roles, and fostering healthy program culture. Participants responded enthusiastically to the tools and handouts shared during the presentation and contributed thoughtful discussion about how collaborative leadership and faculty teaming can support both program effectiveness and faculty well-being.
Kaitlyn Line, BSW 2026 graduate, 2025 Scholar of the Year, and 2025 Peak Undergraduate Summer Research Fellow, presented at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research in Richmond, Virginia. Her research investigates substance misuse in the Bear River Region.
Brynlee Wright, BSW 2026 graduate, presented three research projects in the USU Student Research Symposia held April 7-8, 2026.
- Evaluating Community Festival and Volunteer Based Programming with the Logan Pride Foundation, which was a program evaluation that Brynlee completed as part of their BSW practicum with Logan Pride and the Transforming Communities Institute with faculty advisor Professor, Dr. Dorothy Wallis.
- A Right to Faith: Narrating the Lives and Impacts of Early LGBTQ+ Advocates across Religious Communities preliminary data from a research project with Assistant Professor, Dr. Veronica Timbers.
- Exploring How Adult Male Athletes Define Wellness and Lack of Safety in Sport based on a project with Katherine Alexander, a PhD candidate in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies.
Publications
- Carlson, S., Parkhurst, E., Yaugher, A., & Meier, C. (2026). Menopause 101. Utah State University Extension. https://extension.usu.edu/midlife-health-menopause/research/menopause-101.
- Garrett, K. S., Ward, C., & Chaffin, K. M. (2025). Won't you celebrate with me? A conceptual framework for mentoring Black women pursuing research doctorates. Journal of Social Work Education.
- Wallis, D., Ward, C., Cronley, C., & Walters, J. (2025). Lest we forget: Social work's theory, ethics, and the politics of knowledge. Journal of Social Work Education.
- Ward, C. (2025). End-of-Life Care and Health Promotion in Black and African American Religious Communities: A Systematic Review. Journal of Aging and Social Change. https://doi.org/10.18848/2576-5310/CGP/v15i02/85-111.
- Van Sandt, A., Gruber, A., Line, K.*, Meier, C., Carpenter, C., & Loverage, S. (2026). Rural emergency hospital conversions. Journal of Rural Health.
- Young, Y. J., Ward, C., Sleep-Frankel, M.*, Lister, M., & Lee, H. Y. (2025). Anti-Asian hate incidents and mental health among Asian American adults during COVID-19: Comprehensive scoping review. The British Journal of Social Work. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcaf214.
Grants
The Transforming Communities Institute recently received a grant from the American College of Bankruptcy Foundation to expand the Community Justice Advocate program. The funding will support social work interns, program development, and expanded services that help individuals navigate debt-related legal challenges. Through training and supervised support, Community Justice Advocates help consumers understand legal processes, complete forms, and develop a legal strategy.
For more information, visit the Community Justice Advocate site or read the related article.
Last fall, Tami Curtis applied for the Faculty Creative Activity and Research Enhancement Award and received $750 to begin a Community Parent Education Webinar Series available to Cache, Box Elder, and Rich Counties. The project involved collaboration with Bear River Health Department, Sorensen Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence, CAPSA, Juniper Haven, local professionals, USU IT, and the college media and communications team. The webinars will conclude in May, and collected data will help determine whether the support continues next year.