To view this newsletter in its entirety, please click the view entire message link at the bottom of this page. | | SSW Update - November 2, 2026 | |
ELECTION DAY IS TOMORROW!
Tuesday, November 3
Let your voice be heard! Exercise YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!
Make a plan to vote! Check your polling location and hours, and make time to cast your ballot.
Click here for election information.
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Happening Tonight!
A Special Edition SSW Community Connect Event
What Is Social Work Without Social Justice?
Monday, November 2 | 5–6 pm
Join the SSW community for a special Community Connect event focused on the proposed changes to social work education accreditation standards.
The recent proposed revisions to the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Education Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) have raised concerns among students and faculty across the country.
Join the SSW community for a special Community Connect event to explore these proposed changes and their potential implications for social work education and the profession.
Come together for resources, conversation, camaraderie, and support as we share perspectives and reflect on the role of social justice in social work education.
Click here to register.
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Coffee and Conversation with Dean Shari Miller
Meet and engage in meaningful discussion with School of Social Welfare Dean Shari Miller at an upcoming "Coffee with the Dean" event open to students at the Stony Brook and Manhattan campuses.
Discuss emerging social work topics and the state of the profession, or simply get to know Dean Miller at an open-house-style meet-and-greet.
All are welcome, and there's no need to RSVP; just pop in to say hi, or sit a while and enjoy coffee on us!
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Manhattan Dates
Happening Tonight!
Monday, November 2
6:15 to 6:45 pm (1st-year students)
Wednesday, December 2
6:15 to 6:45 pm (2nd-year students)
Location: LH 206
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Stony Brook Campus Dates
Thursday, November 4
12 to 1 pm (BSW students)
1:30 to 2:30 pm (MSW students)
Location: Health Sciences,
Level 2-105
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TONIGHT!
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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The Road to Social Work Licensure:
Everything You Need to Know!
Planning your next steps toward social work licensure? Visit our website for essential information on requirements, the application process, exam preparation, and resources to help you navigate the road to licensure with confidence.
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Study Abroad in Puerto Rico/Summer 2027: Environmental Justice & Community Resilience
Explore social work, environmental justice, and community resilience in Puerto Rico!
This immersive study abroad course examines how community-based organizations respond to natural disasters and address ongoing environmental justice challenges.
Trip Dates: June 5–13, 2027 (Summer Session 1)
Estimated Fee: $2,300, plus airfare and tuition.
Scholarships available!
Students will explore communities across Puerto Rico, learn firsthand about local resilience efforts, and experience the island’s rich culture through community art, music, and other activities.
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Interested? Attend a Virtual Information Session!
November 11 at 1:45 pm – REGISTER HERE
November 12 at 7:15 pm – REGISTER HERE
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Spring 2027 Elective for MSW Students: HWC 579
Special Topics in Social Work: Leading Organizational Change for Community Impact
Great missions need strong organizations behind them. In this hands-on course, students learn how to help nonprofits, agencies, and community organizations become more effective, equitable, and resilient.
This course is ideal for social work or public health students who want to lead from within; it offers practical tools to build organizations that turn social justice commitments into lasting community impact.
Explore how organizations really work, diagnose challenges, navigate change, and strengthen leadership, culture, partnerships, and performance.
- Course #55515
- Three (3) credit hours
- In-person at SBU on Saturday, 10 am to 12 pm
Spring 2027 registration opens November 3.
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Pop-In Advising TODAY!
With Philnesia Miller
Monday, 11/2
2:30 to 4:30 PM (hybrid) and 8 to 9 pm (virtual)
In person: Health Sciences, Level 2, Room 093
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SSW Students Bring Food and Resources to Hampton Bays Block Party
The Hampton Bays Community Block Party on October 18 brought community members together at the Hampton Bays Library to access food and connect with essential resources from local organizations. The event was made possible through a collaboration with the SSW Food Justice Initiative and library social work.
BSW senior Lyanne Goris, a Food Justice student intern supervised by Professor Haylee Hebenstreit, coordinated several food drives to support the event. MSW/MPH student Keeley Lennon, SSW library intern at Hampton Bays Library, organized the event and brought together participating organizations, including HeLP, Maureen’s Haven, the Peconic Estuary Conservation Organization, OLA,
the Hamptons’ Senior Center, Corazon de Maria, The Retreat, and ECLI-VIBS.
First-year MSW interns Isabella Quinones and Kailyn Gill also volunteered, while SSW alum Natasha Cooks, MSW, and her intern Georgia Mattas represented Maureen’s Haven. Leah Topek-Walker, DSW, LCSW-R, Clinical Associate Professor oversees the social work interns in the libraries and was instrumental in supporting this initiative.
The event demonstrated the power of community collaboration and mutual aid. For some attendees, access to food was more than helpful — it was essential. One single mother described the food as “life-saving,” while another attendee experiencing housing insecurity collected food for herself and others facing similar challenges.
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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 SSW student Rebecca Fear, library social work intern.
What do you like about your internship?
I really like how I'm able to make tangible impacts on patrons in the community by navigating resources, such as securing housing, helping individuals apply for food assistance programs, and applying for Medicare/Medicaid. I also like how I'm able to build community connections and network with local shelters, food pantries, and non-profit organizations to create a web of resources that are tailored to the community. Lastly, I like being able to partner with the library staff and collaborate with the librarians on ideas and programs to better serve the community.
What are you learning?
I'm learning how to help patrons fill out applications for public assistance such as SNAP, Medicaid, Heap and veteran benefits. I am also learning how to provide emotional support to patrons while actively listening to what they're disclosing to me. Lastly, I'm learning how to create resource guides for the library to have flyers and resource directories for local social service agencies.
What surprises you?
On my first day, the library was so welcoming to me and the patrons that they serve. The librarians are so dedicated to helping everyone who walks through the door, regardless of their background, which was really nice to see. A second thing that surprises me is that I was able to build rapport with individuals by just helping them figure out how to find resources for housing and medicaid/medicare.
What challenges you?
One challenge is trying to help patrons navigate through the difficult systems to try and get them the help they need.
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Celebrating Culture, Connection, and Community at Homecoming!
Pictured from left: Tammie S. Williams-Pittman, DSW, LMSW, Clinical Assistant Professor; Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith; Joessie Mathews, SBU Culture and Engagement Coordinator; Haylee Hebenstreit, PhD, LMSW, SSW Clinical Lecturer; and Philnesia Miller, SSW Student Services Advisor, at the UNITI Multicultural Brunch, hosted by the Black & Latino Alumni Association during Homecoming Weekend.
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SSW Shows Up for WolfieDash!
The School of Social Welfare was well represented at the WolfieDash 5K during Homecoming Weekend! Pictured are SSW MSW alum Catherine Duffy, MSW student Nicole Anderson, Haylee Hebenstreit (joined by one of her adorable pups!), Richard Helling, and Robin DeLuca-Acconi, coming together to celebrate school spirit, community, and wellness.
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SSW & SBU Faculty Present at International Health
Education Congress
Jeanette Lukas, DSW, LCSW, clinical associate professor for practicum education, presented as part of an interprofessional team at the
6th International Congress of Health Workforce Education and Research, held in October at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland.
The conference, themed “Innovating Together: The Future of Interprofessional Education (IPE),” brought together scholars and professionals to explore innovative approaches to interdisciplinary collaboration, healthcare education, and equitable, patient-centered care.
“This was an amazing opportunity for us to collaborate and build future connections with scholars from all around the world”, said Lukas.
Along with SBU colleagues, Dr. Lukas presented “Evaluating student learning outcomes and facilitator effectiveness in a Virtual IPE elective course” and “Evaluating the impact and effectiveness of an IPE facilitator training program”.
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The Program in Public Health invites you to attend the following Speaker Series:
Stigma and Resilience Trajectories Among Transgender Women and Travestis in
São Paulo, Brazil
Sabrina R. Cluesman, PhD, MSW, LCSW
Dr. Cluesman joined the School of Social Welfare at Stony Brook University as an Assistant Professor in Fall 2026. Her research focuses on advancing interventions to address inequities in HIV prevention and care, with particular attention to stigma, substance use, and mental health, and emerging work in psychedelicassisted therapy.
Thursday, November 12, 2026
2pm | Health Sciences, Level 3, Lecture Hall 5 or Zoom
Attend virtually here
| | ADJUNCT FACULTY SPOTLIGHT | | |
This semester, 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!
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Silas W. Kelly, LMSW, EJSWA, MCG
Areas of specialization: Veterans; youth; community outreach; e-journalism/media/marketing/PR
Favorite part of being in the classroom: Connecting with the students; Seeing the greatness in them; Getting them to see the greatness in themselves.
Silas’s Words of wisdom for students: Know your why; know your worth as a social work professional; know that you will have a profound impact on the lives of those you serve, and it will be a ripple effect for generations to come!
How Silas spends time when not teaching: Producing/hosting the award-winning "Kelsunn-on-the-Air" social work Podcast, and spending time with my family, which includes my wife and three beautiful daughters.
Educational background: AAS in Broadcast Telecommunications (SCCC); Dual Bachelor's, BS in Broadcast Journalism and a BA in Public Communications, Brooklyn College (CUNY); MSW, Adelphi University.
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Calling all social workers in
Nassau County!
NASW in Nassau County needs your presence!
NASW NYS Nassau Division hosts virtual monthly meetings, 7-8 PM on Thursdays.
Upcoming meeting dates: Nov 24; Dec 22
Led by a dedicated local leader, this meeting serves as a hub for connection, education, and professional growth.
REGISTER HERE
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Graduate Career Series Workshop
Graduate Career Series: Preparing for Job Fairs
Monday, November 16, 2026, 7 to 8 pm
Click here to join via Zoom.
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“Voting is the expression of our commitment to ourselves, one another,
this country, and this world.”
- Sharon Salzberg
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