Social Work is Everywhere

Financial Social Work in Action: CASH Campaign of Maryland

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 12:00:00 -0400

UMSSW alumnae and founders of the CASH Campaign of Maryland, Robin McKinney, MSW ’01 and Sara Johnson, MSW ’02 discuss their career path into financial social work, challenges faced in the social work profession, and their experience founding the Cash Campaign of Maryland.

To learn more about financial social work at the University of Maryland School of Social Work visit https://ssw.umaryland.edu/fwsi

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.

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Social Justice In Action: UMSSW's New Vision

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:00:00 -0500

In this episode of the Social Work Is Everywhere podcast, Michelle Reyazuddin, a second-year clinical MSW student and first-gen lead scholar at the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Social Work, speaks with Dean Judy Postmus about the School’s newly developed vision statement: “At the University of Maryland School of Social Work, we envision a future where social work research, practice, and policy come together to drive social justice and equity, strengthen communities and improve lives locally, nationally, and globally.”

Dean Postmus explains the difference between mission and vision, why a shared school-wide vision was needed, and how it was created through months of discussions, focus groups, surveys, an all-staff brainstorming session, and a community vote. They discuss how students can apply the vision by keeping research, practice, and policy connected in coursework and practicum, and how the School can live the vision through community partnerships and values-based decision-making.

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.

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A Chat with the Office of Access, Strategic Initiatives, and Support (OASIS)

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0500

In this special episode of the Social Work Is Everywhere Podcast, we bring you highlights from our conversations with the OASIS team at the University of Maryland's School of Social Work. Join us as we discuss strategic planning, collaboration, community and global engagement, and the importance of aligning strategic goals with personal and institutional values. Learn about the evolving landscape of social work, the significance of relational intelligence, and the enduring legacy of Dr. Raju Varghese. Tune in for insights on building resilient, adaptable, and collaborative approaches in social work.

00:00 Introduction to the Social Work Is Everywhere Podcast
00:06 Highlights from University of Maryland Faculty and Staff
00:16 Strategic Planning and Partnerships with OASIS
00:35 Reflections on Resiliency and Adaptability
00:41 Key Takeaways from the Oasis Team
00:48 Community and Policy Developments
01:18 Aligning Goals with Values
02:09 The Importance of Relational Intelligence
03:48 Interdisciplinary and Global Initiatives
04:34 Building Relationships Across Schools
05:12 Redefining Strategy and Resilience
06:19 The Role of Social Work in Everyday Life
06:48 Closing Remarks and Tribute to Dr. Raju Varghese

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.

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Moving Well: Bringing Mental Health Support to Truck Drivers in Africa

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 09:00:00 -0500

Join Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson on the Social Work Is Everywhere podcast as they explore the Moving Well Project—a groundbreaking initiative delivering mental health and HIV prevention support to long-distance truck drivers in Zambia and beyond.

In this episode, you’ll hear from:

Sabeen Ahmed, clinical social worker and curriculum developer for the Moving Well app
Munsaka Mubela, coordinator with the Truck Drivers Association of Zambia
Gracious Witola, social scientist and public health researcher

Discover how the team:

Identified the unique mental health and HIV risks faced by truck drivers
Developed and adapted a mobile app to deliver accessible, culturally relevant support
Overcame challenges in reaching a mobile population through creative solutions like WhatsApp groups
Engaged local communities, government, and private sector partners for sustainable impact

Learn about the project’s successes, lessons learned, and hopes for scaling up to reach more drivers across Africa and the world.

If you’re inspired by this work, please consider supporting the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Your donation helps fund scholarships, research, and community partnerships: https://ssw.umaryland.edu/give

For more information about admissions: https://ssw.umaryland.edu/msw

MentalHealth #SocialWork #Africa #TruckDrivers #HIVPrevention #MovingWellProject #PublicHealth #Podcast

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.

Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today.

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Building Bridges: Community Partnerships in Zambia with Dr. Simona Simona

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the 'Social Work Is Everywhere' podcast, hosts Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson interview Dr. Simona Simona, a lecturer at the University of Zambia and Assistant Dean for Research in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Simona shares insights on the critical role of community partnerships in research, emphasizing ethical, relevant, and community-driven approaches. He reflects on his decade-long collaboration with Dr. Michalopoulos, particularly focusing on their work with vulnerable communities like Fisher Folks and international truck drivers. Dr. Simona discusses the importance of integrating cultural humility over mere competency and offers advice to global social workers on avoiding extractive research practices. The episode also highlights Dr. Simona's contributions to the field through his work on gender-based violence in Sub-Saharan Africa and his development of educational resources, including an upcoming book on using R for quantitative methods. Listeners are encouraged to support the University of Maryland School of Social Work and connect with Dr. Simona via LinkedIn.

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.

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Expanding Horizons: The Center for Global Engagement (CGE)

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Social Workers Everywhere podcast, hosts Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson interview Virginia and Amy from the University of Maryland's Center for Global Engagement (CGE). The discussion highlights the diverse and significant roles of social workers across various industries and the importance of global engagement in education and research. Virginia and Amy share their personal journeys into the field, provide insights into CGE's impactful programs like the President's Global Impact Fund and the Provost Global Scholar Program, and discuss challenges and strategies for sustainability and collaboration. They emphasize the transformative power of global education and encourage students and faculty to embrace international opportunities for a broader, more nuanced understanding of their professions and the world. The episode concludes with a call to support global initiatives at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.

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From Maryland to Kerala: Exploring Social Work's Global Impact

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:00:00 -0400

In this episode of the Social Work is Everywhere podcast, we dive into the global impact of social work through the experiences of students Christa Gloster and Claude Thomas from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. They discuss their participation in the India course, a program developed in partnership with Rajagiri College in Kerala, India. The course offers students the opportunity to attend international conferences and engage in cultural site visits. Christa and Claude share how they learned about the program, their initial perceptions, and how these evolved during their trip. They also talk about the personal and professional challenges faced, the cultural differences observed, and the valuable lessons gained. The episode concludes with advice for prospective students considering global social work opportunities.

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.

Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today.

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Charity vs. Solidarity: Lessons from the US-El Salvador Sister Cities

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400

Hosts Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson engage in a compelling conversation with guests Patrice Forrester and Leigh Beck. Dive deep into the far-reaching impact of social work, the history and mission of the US El Salvador Sister Cities organization, and the role of solidarity vs. charity in global social work. Learn about the inspiring legacy of Oscar Romero and how social work practice evolves with a focus on community engagement and advocacy.

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.

Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today.

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Global Social Work, Grief, Climate Change and Community Collaboration

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 09:00:00 -0400

This episode highlights guest, Thomas Northrop, and host, David Robertson’s participation in the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Provost Global Scholar Program with an emphasis on grief and trauma-informed care and innovative practice in climate change. Both guests share insights about international collaborations, the importance of community engagement, and culturally grounded approaches to social work. Listen in to learn about their impactful projects and how they shape the future of social work on a global scale.

To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw.

Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today.

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