To view this newsletter in its entirety, please click the view entire message link at the bottom of this page. | | SSW Update - October 12, 2026 | |
“Unidos Somos Más — Together We Are More!”
Join the Stony Brook University community as we celebrate 37 years of Hispanic Heritage Month at SBU!
Through November 6, students, faculty, staff, departments, student organizations, and community partners are invited and encouraged to celebrate the rich cultures, histories, identities, achievements, and contributions of Latine communities.
This year’s theme, “Unidos Somos Más — Together We Are More!,” reflects the strength and possibilities that emerge when we come together, share our stories, celebrate our wide range of identities, and build meaningful connections. The Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, DICE, and campus partners will offer a variety of cultural, educational, social, and community-building programs for the Stony Brook community.
Click here for the full Hispanic Heritage Month calendar of events.
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USWA Kicks Off Hispanic Heritage Month
SSW’s Undergraduate Social Welfare Alliance (USWA) kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a creative international candy sale, celebrating culture and community through a sweet selection of treats from around the world!
| | | Community Connect Events this Week! | |
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SSW Survival Guide Series: Transfer Student Edition
Wednesday, October 14
12 to 1:30 pm and 4:45 pm
Location: VIRTUAL via Zoom (link will be emailed to registrants on the day of event)
Presenter: Philnesia Miller, MA, SSW, Academic Advisor
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*Will count as
a Flex Point
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Haunted Horizons: Mapping Your Social Work Journey
Thursday, October 15
12 to 1:30 pm
Location: IN PERSON, Health Sciences, Student Life Suite , Level 2, Room 503
Presenter: Jiana Farrell, MSW, Career Coach, SBU Career Center
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*Will count as
a Flex Point
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Spotting the Red Flags in Social Work Practice
Monday, October 19
12:15 to 1:15 PM
Location: IN PERSON, Health Sciences, Level 2-2AB
Presenter: The Retreat, Inc.
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*Will count as a Professional Communication
OR Flex Point
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Click here to register for upcoming workshops.
The Zoom link for virtual workshops will be emailed to registered participants
on the day of the event.
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Join us for the annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on
Monday, October 19, from 12:30 to 2 pm beginning at the SAC Plaza.
Students can register HERE, but we encourage all campus community members to join us!
Co-hosted with SBU Athletics and Human Resources.
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Distance MSW Students:
This Event Is for You!
Tea & Talk with Dr. Michele Smith
Conversation. Connection. Community.
After Midterms: How Are We Doing?
Monday, November 2
6 to 7:30 pm on Zoom
Join Dr. Smith, Distance MSW Program coordinator, for a relaxed, informal gathering.
Tea & Talk is a space to connect with Dr. Smith and fellow Distance MSW students, ask questions, share your experiences, and learn about SSW and university resources, all in a supportive and welcoming environment.
For our first gathering, let's reconnect after midterms and fall break, check in about your experiences, and kick off this new gathering space together.
- Drop in. Stay for ten minutes or the whole time.
- Bring your tea or dinner. Come as you are.
- Cameras on or off. Your comfort matters.
- Kids and fur babies are welcome. Parenting and life don't have to stop because we're gathering.
No formal presentation. No preparation. Just conversation, connection, and community.
Join Tea & Talk on Zoom
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Keeping Child Welfare Professionals Informed: CWTP’s Annual Legal Updates Training
The Child Welfare Training Program (CWTP) hosted its annual Legal Updates in CPS and Child Welfare live webcast on October 1, bringing together approximately 300 child welfare and child protective services professionals.
Broadcast from SBU’s West Campus television studio, the event featured legal experts and child welfare professionals sharing important updates for practitioners across the field.
| | Seated from left: presenters Carol Barbash, Esq., and Barbara Wilmit, Esq., Diana Filiano, DSW, CWTP director who served as moderator. Standing from left: Andrea Trezza, senior administrative assistant; Vineet Chawla, Esq., presenter, Angela Paradysz, senior administrative assistant; Gene Skarin, Esq., presenter; Diane Monks, LMSW, CWTP trainer. | |
Social Work is Happening in
Long Island Libraries
Did you know that libraries throughout
Long Island are providing practicum placements for SSW students who help patrons connect with vital resources and support?
Quick chat with MSW student John Stallings, social work intern at the Huntington Public Library:
What do you like about your internship?
The breadth of support I can offer is incredible - from helping people with job applications to recovery and housing resources, there’s always a different question or approach when I meet with patrons.
What are you learning?
The library can and needs to continue to evolve into a central community hub, given that the historical purpose (books) is slowly evolving to include more services.
What surprises you?
The questions patrons are willing to ask for help about - I had a conversation with a parent about their children using AI for relationship advice and how to limit their use.
What challenges you?
The main challenge is that when I’m not helping patrons directly, how can I build a useful program, group, or workshop to serve the community?
In upcoming editions of the newsletter, you will meet some of the SSW library interns and hear about their experiences!
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Shatterproof Walk in NYC
Sunday, October 25
Join the GSG for a fundraiser walk to end addiction.
For information about these events, email ssw_gsg@stonybrook.edu
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VIPE Academy Session: Mental Health and Young People
An Interprofessional event for healthcare trainers and students
SBU is participating in an exciting new global, multi-institution opportunity for students to develop, hone, and practice interprofessional collaborative practice skills.
The Virtual Interprofessional Education (VIPE) academy is a learning approach that brings together a global community of students, faculty, and professionals from different disciplines in a virtual environment to collaborate, communicate, and solve problems as a team.
Delivered in a virtual format, VIPE provides healthcare-focused students from multiple universities with an interprofessional orientation and training experience in the care of patients across the continuum of care, with an emphasis on promoting their physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being through collaborative health care practices.
VIPE Academy will hold four sessions over the 2026-27 academic year.
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October 14 | 10 am to 12:30 pm | Mental Health and Young People
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November 18 | 9 to 11:30 am | Chronic Conditions and Elderly Care
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February 10 | 9 to 11:30 am | Global Health and Climate Change
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March 17 | 10 am to 12:30 pm | Migration and the Refugee Crisis
For more information and to register, visit VIPE Academy's website.
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ADHD Awareness Conference
The Long Island Advocacy Center is hosting an ADHD Awareness Conference on Thursday, October 22, at the Marriott Melville, featuring Dr. Ned Hallowell, a leading ADHD expert.
The conference will explore the challenges surrounding ADHD, including misunderstanding, misdiagnosis, stigma, and stereotypes, and their impact on individuals and families.
SSW students receive $10 off with code SWSTUDENT10. Registration includes breakfast, lunch, conference materials, and a certificate of attendance.
Click here for more information.
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Socially Just Seawolves Living Community: Fall 2027
Interested in combining academics, community, and social justice?
The Socially Just Seawolves Living Community offers an academic, year-long experience for students living on campus. Participants enroll in an EXP+ credit course and have the opportunity to extend their participation for a second year.
Residents receive a housing waiver that reduces the cost of a room in Tubman Hall to the rate of a double room. The community is limited to 21 residents.
Eligibility: Rising juniors
Applications: Open in Spring 2027.
Click here to learn more.
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Keith Haring Coming Out Paint Day
Wednesday, October 14, 12 to 2 pm @ SAC Ballroom B
RSVP HERE!
In celebration of National Coming Out Day, join LGBTQ* Services for a paint day in the style of iconic painter Keith Haring. Learn all about his advocacy for the LGBTQ* Community while painting along.
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Donations Now Accepted for LGBTHRIFT
Stop by the LGBTQ* Center until Tuesday, October 13 to give your gently used clothes and/or accessories a new home!
The LGBThrift donations box is located by the front desk in the LGBTQ* Center.
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All-Gender
Bathrooms
on Campus
Click here to view an interactive map of all gender-inclusive bathrooms around campus!
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LGBThrift Event
Tuesday, October 20 | 12 to 3 pm
SAC, Ballroom B
Want to expand your wardrobe? Shop at our event and
find your next fit!
If you have any gently used clothes and/or accessories
you wish to donate before the event, drop them off at
the LGBTQ* Center!
All proceeds will go towards the LGBTQ* Center Fund for Excellence.
For more information, please contact lgbtqservices@stonybrook.edu.
| | | | SSW Ambassadors Tips and Resources | |
Each week, we will share tips for studying, self-care, and resources from our
SSW Ambassadors!
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John Grijalva
Use Google Calendar for assignment due dates. Review your notes. Create Quizlets for your exams to study.
Recommended Source: Quizlet, an online study and learning platform.
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Scarlett Gress Gonzalez
Create connections! This can be introducing yourself to a professor or waving hi to a classmate. Saying hello is the first step to creating a connection. Building relationships with classmates, professors, and other faculty is vital as a growing social worker. The people you see here will be your support through classes, and these connections will continue in the field.
SBU campus students: Need a new study spot? Take a trip over to West Campus! There are endless activities and study spots to discover there. If you are in need of a self-care walk, go by Wang Center or stop by the fountain in front of the Administration building.
I recommend studying in the SBS building! They have new, comfortable seating with a nice view!
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Graduate Career Series Workshops
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Graduate Career Series: Mastering Resume Building
Monday, October 19, 2026,
7 to 8 pm | Registration Link
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Graduate Career Series: Preparing for Job Fairs
Monday, November 16, 2026,
7 to 8 pm | Registration Link
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"Social work means believing in people before they believe in themselves."
- author unknown
| | Editor: Jennifer Davidson | Contributing Editor: Andrew Capitelli | Graphic Design: Andrea Trezza | | Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. | | Stay Informed. FOLLOW US on Social Media! | | | | |
