The School of Social Work

November 2024 Newsletter

The mission of the School of Social Work is to promote

 social justice through quality professional education, advocacy, community partnerships, and the development and dissemination of knowledge through enquiry.

School News

Faculty Postings in the School of Social Work

The School of Social Work is now accepting applications for 3 tenure-track Assistant Professor positions, all for an anticipated start date of July 1, 2025. The deadline to apply is Monday, December 16, 2024.

Questions can be sent to:

Dr. Wayne Ambrose-Miller, RSW, Ph.D., Director, School of Social Work,

University of Windsor, 167 Ferry Street, Windsor, ON N9A 0C5

c/o Nancy St. Onge, Administrative Assistant to the Director nstonge@uwindsor.ca

Complete details can be found on the Faculty Recruitment website at Faculty Postings Available | Faculty Recruitment

Dr. Kevin Gorey & Dr. Nazim Habibov,

Amongst the Top 40 UWindsor Researchers

On behalf of Dr. Wayne Ambrose-Miller, Director

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Kevin Gorey, Professor Emeritus and Dr. Nazim Habibov, Professor in the School of Social Work for being amongst 40 top UWindsor faculty recognized for their research. An unprecedented number of current and retired UWindsor professors have made this year's list of the world's most-cited academics. The annual listing, produced by researchers at Stanford University and Elsevier, is based on metrics that assess the publication records and citations of roughly 7 million academics from 1965 to 2023. For complete details please see the article below from the recent ORIS newsletter published November 26^th, 2024.

Congratulations Dr. Gorey and Dr. Habibov on this outstanding achievement and well-deserved recognition!

Read more in the Daily News article: UWindsor researchers listed among top-cited academics in their fields | DailyNews

Dr. Candace Hind, Sessional Instructor and OPUS Faculty Award Recipient

On behalf of Dr. Wayne Ambrose-Miller, Director, School of Social Work

Congratulations to Dr. Candace Hind, a graduate of the SSW's PhD program and instructor for the SSW, for being chosen by the Organization of Part-time University Students (OPUS) as the recipient of the "2024 OPUS Faculty Award"!

The announcement from OPUS states: "This annual award was initiated in 1992 to recognize and applaud "the efforts of University of Windsor faculty members who unselfishly assist part-time students in their efforts to achieve academic excellence."

Congratulations Dr. Hind! This is a wonderful achievement! Thank you for your commitment to teaching excellence!

"Dr. Hind is an outstanding instructor. Through her lens I am beginning to understand the complexities of Social Work, at the same time it makes my future in the field seem attainable. Her kindness and empathy are unmatched to anything I have ever experienced. My introduction to Social Work is through her vast knowledge and expertise. It has given me a foundation that will serve me well in the years to come. She is a gift and a true inspiration. Thank you for your commitment to teaching us, Dr. Hind. We are indebted to you."

Holiday Donation Updates

We are still collecting for The Welcome Centre Shelter for Women & Families until Tuesday, December 10. Kindly drop your items off to the SSW office in room 205, Windsor Hall. Currently we have a small amount of donations: diapers, baby wipes, women’s underwear, cat food, and gift cards. For a list of needed items, please contact socwork@uwindsor.ca.

Black Student Scholarships – The School will be donating to UWindsor Black Student Scholarships. Please find the URL for donating below. You can donate directly on this site. If you experience any issues, kindly let us know by reaching out to socwork@uwindsor.ca . Note, this is not only for the holiday season, kindly donate anytime!

­Link to donate to UWindsor

Black Student Scholarships

Donuts with the Director Events with

Dr. Wayne Ambrose-Miller

Our Donuts with the Director events in November 2024 were a huge success. Students had a change to chat with our Director, Wayne, whilst enjoying a sweet donut treat! We held two sessions in Windsor Hall and on main campus just before Dr. Hind's first year class!

Thank you to everyone who took the time to attend and engage!

Staff News

Jasmine Mahmood Haider, Graduate Secretary, On Campus

Jasmine Mahmood Haider has recently joined the University of Windsor as a Graduate Secretary, where she plays a key role in supporting the graduate programs team. Jasmine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from the University of Windsor, bringing a wealth of knowledge in organizational management and effective communication to her role.

Residing in Lakeshore, Ontario, Jasmine is passionate about creating efficient systems and fostering positive interactions within her workplace. Outside of work, she cherishes spending time with her two children and family, which brings balance and joy to her life. Her dedication to excellence and her collaborative spirit makes her a valuable asset to the University of Windsor community. We are thrilled to have Jasmine in this role and look forward to her contributions!

Alumni News

Jessica Glazewski, Alumnus of School of Social Work

Hi, I’m Jess (she/her), and I’m the Sexual Violence Education Assistant at the Office of Sexual Violence Prevention, Resistance, and Support (OSVPRS) at UWindsor. As an alumnus, I’m proud and grateful for the opportunities I have through my role to contribute to social change on campus. 

Here’s a bit of my story and how I got here:

In my third year of my Psychology and Criminology undergraduate studies, my best friend suggested I take a Bystander course, 3500: Practical Strategies for Social Change, because it was so engaging and there was a safe and supportive learning environment. Intrigued, I got into the course and learned about campus-based sexual violence and prevention strategies, then took the second course, 4500: Practicum in Social Change, to become a Bystander Workshop Facilitator. Through this experience, I witnessed the powerful impact of peer-to-peer education in fostering a safer and more informed campus community, growing my passion for sexual violence prevention work and motivating me to be a Teaching Assistant for both Bystander courses. Seeing growth in the program, the Bystander team started investing more in campus outreach efforts. I had the opportunity to become a Campus Outreach Assistant, allowing me to bring awareness to this essential program and to have an active role in advocacy and leadership on campus.

Seeing the positive outcomes of sexual violence prevention education for individuals and for the community, I wondered why we didn’t have this type of education in high schools. Wanting to learn more about the sexual violence field, I pursued a Research Assistant role with the Girls Resist Project in the Psychology Department, and with this role, I just so happened to be helping with the project dedicated to adapting the Flip the Script with EAAA™ program for high school-aged women and girls. This experience helped me appreciate the time and effort that goes into highly evidence-based programming and made me hopeful for the possibilities for early public education.

At this point, I started to see the parallels between sexual violence prevention work and social work: leadership, community building, consciousness-raising, advocacy, social justice, and trauma-informed and survivor-centered approaches. Making these connections encouraged me to pursue a Master’s in Social Work at UWindsor to gain skills to enhance my approaches to public education and professional skills. During my first semester, I was offered a part-time education role with the OSVPRS, allowing me to continue efforts to end campus-based violence on campus virtually during COVID-19 campus closures. 

This experience led me to my current role with the OSVPRS. In this position, I support different programs under the Prevent Resist Support campaign, including coaching students involved with outreach through Bystander's academic courses and facilitating Flip the Script with EAAA™ program. Outside these two programs, I deliver engaging educational workshops about consent, dating, relationships, boundaries, and responding to disclosures. Unexpectedly, I’ve grown my marketing and advertising skills because of our efforts to have campus-wide programming and contribute to social change at UWindsor. 

Through this role, I seek ways to collaborate and stay connected with the School of Social Work. I’m always excited to table at an info fair, represent the OSVPRS at orientations, support guest lectures, and be in community with Social Work. I’ve also been an Offsite Field Placement Supervisor, which was a rewarding learning experience and helped me further connect to social work practice. I’m dedicated to continuing to foster a strong relationship with the School of Social Work; I look forward to future possibilities for working together.

Reflecting on these invaluable experiences, I feel so grateful for the ample opportunities I've had at UWindsor to grow personally and professionally. The support and guidance I've received from my supervisors and colleagues have been instrumental in getting me to where I am today. I’m truly thankful for everything they’ve taught me and continue to teach me; I strive to offer that same kind of mentorship and empowerment to the students I collaborate with. I am so proud to work for the OSVPRS at UWindsor! 

Student News

Alena Auchynnikava, PhD Student

Congratulations to Alena Auchynnikava on her recent publication!

Well done, Alena! We look forward to hearing more about this!

Auchynnikava, A., & Habibov, N. (2024). Is the effect of educational attainments on trust in scientists underestimated? Science & Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11191-024-00551-x

Alena Auchynnikava, RSW, is a current PhD student at the School of Social Work. She completed Master of Social Work (MSW) and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) at the University of Windsor. She also possessed a Master of Economics degree from Institute of Modern Knowledge in Belarus. She worked five years with refugees and internally displaced people. Alena’s primary areas of interest are Social Determinants of Health and Determinants of Life Satisfaction. As a researcher, she focuses on quantitative analysis of large national and multinational surveys. She worked with Canada Community Health Survey and General Social Survey of Canada by Statistics Canada, Life-in-Transition Survey by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Demographic and Health Survey by United States Agency for International Development and Macro International. For further information on Alena's work, please visit Current PhD Students | School of Social Work

Carly Charron, PhD Candidate

Congratulations to Carly Charron! Carly recently received a certificate acknowledging her completion of the requirements of the University Teaching Certificate Program through the Centre for Teaching and Learning. For more information please visit:

https://www.uwindsor.ca/ctl/463/university-teaching-certificate

Carly Charron is a PhD candidate and a registered social worker with experience providing therapy to people facing diverse mental health challenges. Carly obtained a master’s degree in social work after completing an undergraduate degree in psychology where she began developing a love for research. In the face of ongoing gender disparities in both mental and physical health realms, Carly’s doctoral research focuses on understanding young men’s help-seeking decisions and experiences for mental health-related challenges.

Lana Dosky, BSW Student

Hello! My name is Lana, and I am currently completing my final year in the BSW program. My path to Social Work began with a Child and Youth Care diploma from St. Clair College, where I realized there was still so much I wanted to learn, and I was not ready to finish my educational journey. I have always enjoyed learning new things and navigating new opportunities. The CYC program was the first time I applied classroom knowledge to real-life situations through placement opportunities over the three years, where I gained hands on experience working with children and youth from the ages of 4 to 29.

There were two placements that played a role in my decision to pursue the Social Work program - one at the Windsor Youth Centre, working with youth experiencing homelessness, and another within the school board. These experiences opened my eyes to the diverse vulnerable populations that Social Workers support and emphasized the need for more professionals in the field. I was not quite sure which sector I wanted to focus on in my future, and I knew there was more to learn, so the BSW program felt like the perfect next step.

While completing my diploma, I also worked as an emergency supply for the school board, a mental health support worker at a youth centre, and as an after-school facilitator with newcomer children. These various positions introduced me to Social Workers and further inspired me to peruse Social Work because of their dedication to assisting others in the community.

Currently, I am completing my field placement at Windsor Women Working With Immigrant Women. My previous work in various roles at the Multicultural Council is what initiated my interest in engaging more deeply with newcomers. This placement gives me the opportunity to rotate through programs around the agency, giving me an understanding as to how the agency operates in supporting newcomers in areas like language classes, employment, and other programs such as women and youth groups.



This field experience so far has been helpful in exploring a sector I have grown passionate about. I can observe how the theories from the social work program apply in practice, and I am now able to implement my knowledge and skills directly with clients. My passion for working with newcomers continues to grow, and I hope in the future it is my area of focus!

Leigha Hossack, BSW Student

My journey in social work has been both positive and transformative. I initially enrolled in an education program but transferred to social work in my second year—a decision that became the most impactful of my academic and personal life. I am now in my fourth year of the BSW Professional Years Program, completing my field placement at the Group Wellness Hub through Counselling Services at the University of Windsor.

Throughout my time at the School of Social Work, I have been an active participant in both the classroom and the community. Outreach and recruitment have become some of my favourite activities, as I get to connect with individuals and share the incredible opportunities the School of Social Work offers. I find joy in communicating the values and mission of this program, which has helped me discover my passion for learning and serving others.

Currently, I am developing a BSW Peer Support Group to provide students with a space to connect and offer peer-led support for academic and personal challenges. I am deeply passionate about this project because a strong sense of community is essential in social work. Providing students with these resources early on in their journey fosters growth and connection. I am also incredibly grateful for the community I’ve built with my peers, who share similar values but bring diverse perspectives and life experiences to our shared learning environment. This variety enriches the classroom and enhances my understanding of social work in practice.

In my third year, I served as the BSW student representative on the School of Social Work’s School Council, where I connected with faculty and advocated for my peers. Outside of school, I am committed to ongoing learning through reading and listening to podcasts, while also prioritizing self-care. My friends and family are my biggest support system, and spending quality time with them keeps me grounded and fulfilled.

In short, I am incredibly grateful for the path that led me to social work—it has been a journey of growth and gratitude, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead.

Lorraine Oloya,

PhD Student

Lorraine Oloya is a PhD student at the School of Social Work, with a diverse background in both clinical practice and research. She has worked as a social worker in Ontario and the United States, with clinical experience spanning several critical areas, including youth justice, child welfare, emergency medicine, restorative care, mental health, and gender-based violence. Lorraine has also provided support to non-profit organizations, demonstrating a strong commitment to community-based care.

Her research focuses on the intimate partner violence shelter system, examining the barriers to safety faced by women seeking support. Lorraine has contributed to studies on sexual assault resistance programming and child welfare service engagement, further strengthening her expertise in issues of gender, violence, and social service access.

Lorraine’s multifaceted background informs her approach to both research and practice, and she is passionate about using her knowledge and experience to contribute to the advancement of social work practice and the development of more effective, inclusive support systems for vulnerable populations.

Faculty Supervisor: Dr. Betty Barrett

Lorraine is also our Appointments and RTP Committee Student Representative!

As a student representative on the Appointments Committee and Renewal, Tenure and Promotions Committee, Lorraine brings a deep commitment to ensuring that the voices and perspectives of students are heard in faculty hiring decisions. With her extensive practical and research background, Lorraine is dedicated to fostering a teaching and learning environment that is both inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse student populations in the School of Social Work.

Her clinical and academic experiences inform her understanding of the importance of strong faculty who are not only experts in their fields but also dedicated to supporting the growth and well-being of students and the wider community.

Thank you for your service and commitment to the School, Lorraine!

Congratulations to our Dean's Honour Roll Recipients! Learn more about our recipients of this distinguished award:

Amy Fordham, BSW Student

Amy Fordham is an Honour Roll recipient and a Bachelor of Social Work student at the University of Windsor with minors in both Psychology and Philosophy. Amy intends on continuing her education for a Master’s Degree in Social Work. Amy is also pursuing a Bachelor's in Child Psychology.

Amy’s advocacy work began as a young girl taking a leadership role with Youth Rex where she assisted in hosting workshops for childcare professionals promoting building positive relationships between youth and Child and Youth Workers. She continues her advocacy in her chosen field of Social Work and is a Board member of the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society. 

Israa Hamaza, BSW Student

There are a lot of reasons to explain my line of thinking when choosing social work, however, pre-eminently, pursing social work is rooted and founded in my most visible identity, being a Muslim woman. Choosing social work feels like an extension of the values taught to me by my faith as it encourages empathy, justice, and empowerment, and to act with compassion and purpose in all interactions. For me, it went beyond choosing a profession but a field that provides fulfilment, aligned with my beliefs and values, while also developing and challenging me both personally and professionally, life-long. 

Regarding my background, I have completed my undergraduate degree in Social work and Disability Studies with Distinction this past April 2024 and began pursuing my master’s this past May 2024. Through my experience in the field, I have been able to work at the macro and micro levels with low-income, vulnerable, and marginalized individuals experiencing IPV/exploitation, complex mental health concerns and addictions, health inequities and housing insecurity. Considering the ongoing genocide in Gaza and a plethora of atrocities happening around the world, my interest in social work has shifted towards work that specifically advocates against the monumental and continuous injustices faced by the global south and addressing the psychosocial needs of those impacted; I would love to explore international social work practice going forward. Regardless of where I end up and the work that I will be doing, my hope and oath is that it remains true to the values above!

Mera Korraali, BSW Student

Mera is an honour roll recipient and currently a BSW student in the School of Social Work.

Mera is looking forward to completing her Master's in Social Work and hoping to work with children in the future.

Congratulations, Mera! This is a wonderful accomplishment!

Congrats to all our honour roll recipients. If you are an honoree and would like to be showcased in our newsletter, kindly email debbiec@uwindsor.ca

Collaborative Journal Club

Looking for Student Participation!

You're invited to join a collaborative journal club between the University of Windsor, University of Toronto, and McGill University.

What: A monthly lunch-time video-conference discussion group of child welfare-oriented academics, students, and researchers who convene monthly to discuss, appraise, and report on child welfare research studies published in scholarly journals.

Who: Members include faculty and graduate students at McGill, the University of Toronto, and the University of Windsor. Meetings are co-chaired by Delphine Collin-Vezina, Nico Trocmé (McGill), Barbara Fallon (University of Toronto), and Kristen Lwin (University of Windsor) with administrative support from Practice and Research Together (PART).

Purpose: Our members increase their awareness of child welfare research trends and build analytical skills by critical analysis of substantive research. We scan the literature each month to pick up the latest research results and identify studies that stand out because of their methodological strengths and the practice or policy relevance of their findings. Selected studies are summarized and shared with the broader community of researchers and practitioners across Canada through the Canadian Child Welfare Research Portal www.cwrp.ca

When and where does the group meet? Online via Zoom

Meeting dates:

All meetings are held on Mondays from 12:05pm to 1:30pm.

October 21, 2024

November 18, 2024

December 16, 2024

January 20, 2025

February 24, 2025

March 24, 2025

April 28, 2025

May 26, 2025

Please contact Kristen if you're interested in participating kristen.lwin@uwindsor.ca 

Updates from Sharon Munro, Social Work Librarian

Leddy Library online session in November

The following online session will be offered through the Leddy Library in November and is aimed at faculty members, graduate students, post-docs and research staff:

Virtual University of Windsor Research Data Management Info Session

Thursday, November 21^st 2024

1:30 to 3 p.m.

This session looks at requirements for research data management plans for Tri-Agency grant applications and the response to date by the University of Windsor’s Research Data Management (RDM) Strategy and the impact on researchers. A senior advisor from the Tri-Agency will “…provide updates on how the federal policy is being implemented for current and future research funding opportunities” (https://calendar.library.uwindsor.ca/event/3848035).  For more information and to register for the session, see: Virtual University of Windsor Research Data Management Info Session or go to the Library Events section of the Leddy Library’s Home Page.

International Open Access Week

International Open Access Week took place during the week of October 21^st to 27^th. This week is “…an opportunity for the academic and research community to continue to learn about the potential benefits of OA, to share what they’ve learned with colleagues around the globe, and to help inspire wider participation in OA publishing” (https://leddy.uwindsor.ca/blog/celebrate-international-open-access-week-2024). The theme this year is Community over Commercialization. For more information and to get access to information about related events, recordings and resources, see: Celebrate International Open Access Week 2024

Leddy Library – Research Data and Statistical Services

Just a reminder about Research Data and Statistical Services at Leddy Library, offering assistance with:

·      Data Discovery – includes access to data and statistics research guides such as: Social Work Statistics; Health Statistics and Data; Psychology Data; Qualitative Data and Windsor Area Statistics

·      Data Analysis – includes information about access to qualitative and quantitative analysis software

·      Mapping and GIS – includes access to the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) subject guide

·      Data Visualization – includes information about best practices of visualization and galleries and examples of same

·      Research Data Management – includes information and help with:

o  Data management plans

o  Metadata and organizing data

o  Storage and security

o  Protecting sensitive data

o  Archiving data

o  Sharing data

Writing Support Desk workshops

The Writing Support Desk is holding several online workshops in November covering a wide range of writing topics. For more information and to register for the workshops, see: Writing Support Desk workshops

We acknowledge that The University of Windsor sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi. We respect the longstanding relationships with First Nations People in this place in the 100-mile Windsor-Essex Peninsula and the straits - les détroits of Detroit.