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SSW Graduate Student Government

National Social Work Month

Internship Spotlight

In honor of National Social Work Month, the Graduate Student Government (GSG) is highlighting the meaningful work MSW students are doing in their field placements! 

We are currently accepting submissions to be featured on social media

throughout March. 

Submit your spotlight here

or by visiting the link in our Instagram bio (@sswgsg).

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Email: SSW_GSG@stonybrook.edu

This Month We Celebrate 

Women’s History Month (WHM)

All members of the campus community are encouraged to attend, learn, reflect, and participate in this month’s programs as we collectively advance gender equity and sustainability. 

For a full list of Women’s History Month events, please visit SB Engaged.  

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Clinical Associate Professor Robin DeLuca-Acconi, Rosanna Cuttone, MSW ‘25, and MSW student Jake Stone attended SBU's Women's History Month Celebration in the Student Activities Center earlier this month.

The event centered around the 2026 Women's History Month theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” and featured keynote speaker Chanel Lopez, deputy director of LGBTQ+ affairs for the NYS Executive Chamber (pictured second from left).

Over the coming months, we are excited to highlight our outstanding adjunct faculty who play an essential role in the School of Social Welfare community. Through this series, we will celebrate their expertise, dedication to teaching, and meaningful contributions to student learning and professional development.

We look forward to sharing their stories and recognizing the vital impact they have on SSW!

Adjunct Faculty Spotlight:

Alice Bergmann

LCSW, ’08, CGCS-CA

Certified Grief Counseling Specialist, Children and Adolescents

• Area of specialization: "I work primarily in support of siblings and family members of critically ill pediatric patients in acute medical crises. I use creative and expressive tools from a narrative-theoretical perspective to support the client's unique pathway. I also work through a grief and loss-informed lens to help families navigate their story and find meaning and connection within its narrative."

• Favorite part of being in the classroom: "I love witnessing all of the sparks of my students' creativity! It is such a joy to see the concepts take hold in their presentations and discussions — and to see them 'make it their own!' I am honored to be in the room and to see the material come alive with their insights."  

• Words of wisdom for students: "You are honoring your client's story by hearing it with your authentic presence, deeply listening with all of your senses. Honoring not only the loud — but also the quiet and still moments with them is not 'doing nothing'. Make no mistake: it is something. And sometimes, it is everything."

• How Alice spends time when she is not teaching: "I coordinate and facilitate a sibling program at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Additionally, I see as much theatre as I can, and am very at home at a play or concert, later dissecting each nuance with my husband, family, or friends. I read and write voraciously. I find every opportunity to dance." 

• Educational background: Master's in Social Work (MSW) with a health specialization from our beloved Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare. Certified grief counseling specialist for children and adolescents, SIFI certified from Columbia University School of Social Work. Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts/Acting and directing emphasis, from Saint Louis University, and a certification from the two-year training program in classical theatre and Shakespeare studies at the National Shakespeare Conservatory."

Click here to read more about Alice.

Alumni Spotlight:

Claudio Salcedo, MSW ‘19

Current Position:

Program Specialist, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (Fatherhood Initiative)

How did your time at the School of Social Welfare shape your path?

"I’m incredibly grateful that I took that leap to get into SSW.

As a Dominican kid from the Bronx, I found graduate school unfamiliar and intimidating. My parents, both hardworking immigrants, instilled in me resilience, faith, and a deep respect for my community. Watching their sacrifices shaped my desire to serve families like my own. SSW strengthened my foundation in both clinical practice and macro-level systems work. It sharpened my understanding of how policy, community dynamics, and direct practice intersect. That dual lens continues to guide me today as I navigate citywide systems that impact families across New York City."

Pivotal moment or lesson that still sticks with you:

"Baseball was always my first plan; I never really had a plan B. After completing my BA at Lehman College and being accepted to Stony Brook, I was unsure whether I could complete a master’s program. On my first day of class, Professor Michelle Ballan said something that still resonates with me: 'Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t belong, that you’re not worthy,

or that you can’t make money in social work.'

"That affirmation shifted something in me. Combined with my field education experience, where I learned the value of reflective supervision, ethical leadership, and intentional mentorship, I began to see myself not just as a student but as a professional in the making."

What kind of work are you currently doing, and what excites you about it?

"I currently oversee fatherhood programming across New York City, supporting contracted providers who serve fathers working toward economic stability, healthy relationships, and active parenting. I also support curriculum training and implementation to ensure program quality and consistency.

"On a personal level, my father’s battle with Alzheimer’s profoundly shaped how I view fatherhood, dignity, and legacy. Walking alongside him during that journey reminded me that fathers are far more than providers; they are anchors, teachers, and protectors whose presence leaves a lasting impact across generations. That lived experience guides how I approach my work. It compels me to affirm the humanity of the fathers we serve and to strengthen families holistically, as I continue to serve mi gente with both purpose."

Skills or perspectives you gained that you later appreciated:

"Systems thinking, policy analysis, and documentation skills became invaluable once I entered city government. What once felt purely academic now informs how I evaluate programs, interpret regulations, and ensure quality service delivery. Pairing those technical skills with cultural humility and community connection has been essential to my leadership."

Advice to your student self:

"Be patient with your growth and stay grounded in your values. Focus on mastering core skills: writing, ethical decision-making, and professional boundaries. Those fundamentals become the backbone of leadership. As it is said, 'vísteme despacio, porque voy de prisa;' move with intention."

Message to current students:

"Embrace the learning curve. Remember who you are and where you come from. Growth often happens in moments of discomfort. Stay connected to your purpose and the people who got you here, build strong professional relationships, and understand that social work requires both compassion and courage, especially when advocating within larger systems."

MARCH Connect Events

*These workshops meet BSW Passport to the Profession requirements.

Have questions? Can't attend?

Reach out to Philnesia Miller, Academic Advisor at

Philnesia.Miller@stonybrook.edu

Click to Register for SSW Connect events.

Stay on Track: Visit Our Pop-In Advising Sessions



Get your questions answered, explore your options, and make

confident academic decisions.

Receive personalized guidance as you plan your course of study!

Attend in-person or virtually: 

• Tuesday, March 24: 12 to 1 pm, via Zoom
• Thursday, March 26: 12 to 1 pm and 7 to 8 pm, via Zoom 
• Monday, March 30: 12:30 to 2:30 pm, hybrid
• Wednesday, April 1: 12:30 to 2:30 pm, hybrid
• Thursday, April 2: 12 to 1 pm and 7 to 8 pm, via Zoom
• Monday, April 6: 12:30 to 2:30 pm, hybrid

Click here for the link to join via Zoom

In-person Location at SBU Campus:

School of Social Welfare, Health Sciences, Level 2, Room 92B

Application for the 2026–2027 Scholarship and Mentorship Program is now open!

Deadline: March 31. 

APPLICATION LINK

or https://bit.ly/2026LSWCApplication

This flagship program provides both financial support and intensive professional development to social work students across New York State.

Scholarships for:

MSW students (Second Year, Advanced Standing) and PhD students.

If you are an MSW student

graduating this year or a recent grad, this career fair is for you!

MSW Career Consortium of NYC Presents

MASTER'S LEVEL SOCIAL WORK VIRTUAL JOB FAIR

Friday, April 17, 2026

TO-DO CHECKLIST:

• Upload your resume for employers to review in advance
• Let employers know you are interested in their jobs
• Review CareerEco tutorial
• Check out the CareerEco videos, handouts, and FAQs

REGISTER: bit.ly/47XosJ0

Requests for accommodations for the Spring 2026 Master's Level Social Work Virtual Job Fair and services should be submitted at least two weeks before the date of the fair. Please contact your school for any needed accommodations.

"Always remember to fall asleep with a dream and wake up

with a purpose." 

- Author unknown

Stony Brook University/SUNY is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer.

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