FOUNDING DEAN APPOINTED
Dr. Naelys Luna begins her new post
FAU has announced Naelys Luna, Ph.D., founding dean of the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice.
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“Dr. Luna has a strong vision for the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice during this critical stage of its development, which is complemented by her focus on student success, the research enterprise, and branding the new college,” said Bret S. Danilowicz, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs at FAU.
Dean Luna brings a wealth of experience and an extensive research publication record in the areas of substance use disorders, mood disorders, spirituality, parental roles, mental health outcomes in minorities and psychosocial functioning.
“I look forward to working with an exceptional team who inspire and prepare tomorrow’s social work and criminal justice leaders, scholars, practitioners and policymakers to effect positive change in the world.” Read On
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STRATEGIC PLAN DEVELOPMENT
Aiming to finalize by late Spring 2021
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In consultation with Dr. Jessica McWade, we are entering the final phases of our college strategic planning process, which will define our college vision, mission and strategic priorities with a measurable, actionable timeline for implementation.
Once the draft is refined by the development committee, the document will be ready for review by faculty and staff for input into the final version.
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TOP LAW ENFORCEMENT DEGREE PROGRAM DESIGNATION
Ranked #2 in the nation
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The School of Criminology & Criminal Justice undergraduate degree program was ranked #2 in the “Best 16 Law Enforcement Degree Programs” in the nation, by BestValueSchools.org. Schools were ranked by attendance levels and cost of tuition and fees for a bachelor’s degree.
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CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRAINING SIMULATION LAB
Offers advanced training and cross-disc. teaching and research tool
The School of Criminology & Criminal Justice has partnered with the FAU Police Department to purchase and install a training simulation lab.
The lab will be used to measure law enforcement officers' (LEO) decision-making skills, expose LEO to various real-life situations, and provide a training library with more than 700 scenarios, including de-escalation scenarios, which are also applicable to social work, psychology, and other disciplines as an advanced training and cross-disciplinary teaching and research tool.
Stay tuned for additional details.
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FACULTY & RESEARCH EXCELLENCE
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NEWEST PUBLICATIONS
Including Dr. Allan Barsky 'Article of the Year'
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Barsky, A. E. (2020). Ethical exceptions for social workers in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing. The New Social Worker, 27(2), 4-5. View Article
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Barsky, A. E. (2020). Sexuality- and gender-inclusive genograms: Avoiding heteronormativity and cisnormativity. Journal of Social Work Education, 56(4), 1-11.
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Barsky, A. E. (2020). Ethics Alive! When Medical Marijuana Is Both “Legal” and “Prohibited”. The New Social Worker.
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Groton, D. B., & Gomory, T. (2021). Improving Housing Services for Youth Survivors of Sexual Exploitation: An Exploratory Study. National Youth-At-Risk Journal, 4(2). View Article
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Dr. Precious Skinner-Osei, inset
BREAKING CHAINS OF INCARCERATION
Dr. Skinner-Osei examines re-entry programs for African American males
For African American males, the consequences of low social status due to incarceration are compounded by racial discrimination and stereotypes. Consequently, the portrait of African American males puts them under heightened scrutiny and increases the number of adverse encounters with police and society.
This issue led Dr. Precious Skinner-Osei, instructor in the Sandler School of Social Work, and Mr. Claudius Osei, Ph.D. student in the Schmidt College of Science, to examine why re-entry programs are not as effective for African American men when compared to others. Their study, published in the Journal of Prison Education and Re-entry, looked at African American men’s re-entry experience, family reunification and recidivism.
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VOLUNTEER AT-HOME CHAIR YOGA RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS NEEDED
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Dr. Juyoung Park, associate professor in the Sandler School of Social Work, is conducting a remotely supervised Online Chair Yoga program to measure its effects on chronic pain, physical function and loneliness in dementia patients. Learn More
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NEW SCHOOL LEADERSHIP & PROGRAM COORDINATORS
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It is our pleasure to introduce the new leadership team for the School of Criminology & Criminal Justice:
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(Second row L-R) Dr. Lisa Dario, graduate coordinator and assistant professor; Dr. Seth Fallik, undergraduate coordinator and assistant professor
(Third row) Sigal Rubin, associate undergraduate coordinator, field experience coordinator and instructor
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Laurie Suttenberg, DSW, LCSW-QS, DSCW
SOCIAL WORK EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Laurie Suttenberg, DSW, LCSW-QS, DCSW, instructor in the Sandler School, has been named “Social Work Educator of the Year” by the Palm Beach Unit of the National Association of Social Workers.
Dr. Suttenberg earned her doctorate in clinical social work from Rutgers, an MSW degree from Washington University in St. Louis, another MSW from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a BA in Psychology and Spanish from Washington University. She is a licensed clinical social worker in Florida and New Jersey and is also a diplomate in clinical social work. She has had extensive training in cognitive behavioral therapy at the Ellis Institute in New York City and has been in private practice for more than 20 years.
Dr. Suttenberg is a FL and NJ clinical social work supervisor and has worked in a multitude of mental health settings, including family service agencies, inpatient psychiatric hospitals and a partial hospitalization program. Read On
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FACULTY EMERITUS RANK AWARDED
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Congratulations to Dr. Gail Horton, former professor in the Sandler School of Social Work, who was recently awarded the rank of Faculty Emeritus. “You have my warmest congratulations on this deserved recognition of your professional service and my deep appreciation for the contribution you made to Florida Atlantic University over many years,” said FAU President John Kelly.
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ENRICHING OUR COMMUNITIES
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'COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS'
Our illuminating discussion series continues
During the next installment of our "Community Conversations" series, we will cover the risk factors of youth gang involvement and discuss successful re-entry, prevention and intervention techniques, as well as specific strategies to reduce youth gang involvement.
Reimagining Gangs & Gang Members
Thursday, February 18 | 5:30-6:45PM
Our expert panelists include J Rocky Romero, Ph.D., LMSW, trainer and consultant for the National Hispanic and Latino Mental Health Technology Transfer Center; and Gabriel T Cesar, Ph.D., assistant professor in the FAU School of Criminology and Criminal Justice who teaches on criminological theory, criminal justice, and gangs with a research emphasis on social control, violence, and youth development.
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CONSIDERING A DOCTORATE?
Two free opportunities to explore our DSW
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Dr. Manny Gonzalez, associate professor and DSW program coordinator, is hosting two free information sessions on Zoom for prospective students. The sessions will cover the difference between a DSW and a Ph.D., how quickly a DSW degree can be earned, class times and format, and an interactive Q&A.
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FREE MEDITATION & YOGA
Online Tues-Fri for Spring and Summer '21
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The Robin Rubin Center for Happiness & Life Enhancement, within the Sandler School of Social Work, offers free wellness programming nearly every day of the week throughout the Spring and Summer 2021 semesters! Everyone is welcome.
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(R-L) Ms. Linda Laviano, MSW; Dr. Phoenix Adams, DSW ('19), LCSW, Caron's VP of the Florida Continuum and Executive Director of Ocean Drive; and Dr. Ellen Ryan, former SSW associate professor.
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HONORING LINDA LAVIANO:
Long-time field educator retires
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Linda Laviano, MSW, supervised more than 115 FAU social work interns in her 18 years of partnership with our school, was named the country’s Field Educator of the Year by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) and is now beginning her well-deserved retirement from the Office of the State Attorney, Broward County, Victim Advocate Unit. Read On
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'THRIVING' WITH ROBIN RUBIN
SSW Instructor serves as panelist at 'Thrive Talks' kickoff event
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Robin Rubin, SSW Instructor, speaking at the 2018 Phyllis Sandler Heart of Social Work.
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Robin Rubin, MSW, instructor in the Sandler School of Social Work and founder of the Robin Rubin Center for Happiness & Life Enhancement, participated in the kick-off of Thrive Talks, a monthly mental health and wellness series “by faculty and staff, for faculty and staff” hosted by FAU Thrive on the weeks following Coffee with the Provost. The topic was “And Yet More COVID-19: Overcoming Continuing Professional and Personal Challenges.” Robin and her fellow panelists looked at a range of current COVID-related challenges and shared strategies and resources for overcoming them. Visit FAU Thrive for details on upcoming Thrive Talks.
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GRADUATE STUDENT PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENTS
Brought to you by the MSCCJ Program in the School of Criminology & Criminal Justice
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The master’s degree program in our School of Criminology & Criminal Justice offers ongoing professional development workshops free of charge that are well-attended by our MSCCJ students and open to all graduate students at FAU. Here are the upcoming Spring 2021 workshops on the calendar:
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“Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That: Managing Your Time & Workload in Graduate School” | Thursday, February 25 | 5-6PM via Zoom | Register
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“Personal Statements, Resumes & CVs: Mastering the Documents Required for Job Applications” | Wednesday, March 24 | 5-6PM via Zoom | Register
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“Teaching as an Adjunct: Using Your Graduate Degree to Educate Others” | Thursday, April 8 | 5-6PM via Zoom | Register
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Did you know we are an approved CEU provider? The Sandler School is an approved provider of the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, the Florida Board of Psychology, the Florida Office of School Psychology and the Florida Board of Nursing (BAP #50-6251), as well as the Florida Certification Board (#5350-A) and the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Additionally, many states accept CEUs from CSWE-accredited institutions in other states. For safety, all professional development courses are currently presented online.
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Amid nearly “virtual” everything – learning, socializing, working – our students' plates are fuller than ever before. Students like Shara-Gayle Shippie, who is balancing her course load while working as a substitute teacher at Grassy Waters Elementary School. Or Chameli Singh, who stepped way out of her comfort zone to present on a challenging topic in front of her peers at the WeLead Diversity Symposium.
Or Rolanda Hammett, who was recently approved to be a foster parent and, during a late-night emergency, took in three young sisters and still showed up for class the next day. Or Justin Callahan, dual BSW and MSW alumnus, who lost one of his legs while serving in Afghanistan as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army and was recently awarded a brand-new custom home for his family through Homes for Our Troops.
To all of our students, we applaud you. Your resilience and perseverance inspire us every day.
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Brad Sorte, 2018 Sandler School Alumnus of the Year, and Dr. Naelys Luna
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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS 2021
'Brad is the definition of resilience'
Brad Sorte, dual FAU alumnus (MSW ’10, MBA ’14) and incoming president of Caron, has been named the College of Social Work & Criminal Justice’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by the FAU Alumni Association.
“Brad is the definition of resilience, turning his own personal experience with treatment for substance use disorder into a lifelong passion for serving individuals and families seeking recovery from substance use disorder,” said Sara Dochterman, assist. director of the Sandler School and coordinator of the Office of Professional Development, in her nomination letter.
Mr. Sorte will receive his award during the Hall of Fame & Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony on April 28.
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Brianna Thomas, first-year Criminal Justice major
SOAR-IN-4 SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Includes nearly 40 students and two alumni
It’s hard to believe that the FAU Soar-in-4 Scholars program has been in existence within our college for more than three years. This accelerated undergraduate program invites high-achieving incoming freshmen to join a cohort of their peers and commit to graduating from the University within four years or less.
Since its inception in 2018, the program now contains nearly 40 Social Work and Criminal Justice students and two alumni – Taylor Markevitch and Mai Train – both of whom graduated ahead of schedule and Summa Cum Laude. Taylor is now enrolled in the Criminal Justice & Criminology master’s program, and Mai has her sights set on a Master of Social Work degree from the Sandler School.
We would also like to acknowledge Brianna Thomas, a first-year Criminal Justice major, who earned the highest first-semester GPA of her Fall 2020 cohort!
We wish to extend a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Fabio Rojas, academic advisor, who did a phenomenal job coordinating the Soar-in-4 program for the past three years and who now passes the torch to his fellow advisor, Mrs. Chandra McKinney-Clarke.
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FAMILY TIES
Chrystel Dufour, daughter of Edeline, graduates with MSW degree, begins career
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Chrystel Dufour, left foreground
One of our recent MSW grads from May 2020, Chrystel Dufour, is the daughter of our own program assistant Edeline Dufour’s daughter. After Chrystel successfully graduated from the MSW program in the midst of a global pandemic, she and two other MSW graduates – Kati Kristol and Roudeline Augustin (pictured below) – were quickly employed as clinical therapists and are now Registered Clinical Social Work Interns at the Drug Abuse Foundation in Delray Beach, serving those impacted by addiction.
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Kati Kristol, holding book
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Roudeline Augustine, center
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MILITARY VET & ALUMNA NOW SUPPORTS VETERANS' FAMILIES
Serves as Community Youth Counselor II
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Kia Samuel, a military veteran and FAU Sandler School of Social Work alumna Class of 2020, is using her experience and education to care for others. She works for the Memorial Healthcare System as a Supportive Services for Veterans Families case manager, specifically as a Community Youth Counselor II, a position funded by a grant by Mission United.
"My primary focus is to assist American military veterans who are experiencing homelessness or those who are simply experiencing financial hardships," Samuel said. "The grant assists with move-in costs, utility payments, and rent for up to six months." Read On
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
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Nearly 40 percent of students in the College of Social Work & Criminal Justice need financial aid to complete their degrees, pursue their careers and make a positive difference in our world. Your generosity makes a far greater impact than you could possibly imagine.
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