School of Social Work in the Media

Associate Professors, Dr. Philip Baiden and Dr. Catherine LaBrenz

Associate Professors Dr. Philip Baiden and Dr. Catherine A. LaBrenz

Link Between Body Image, Suicide Ideation With Teenager

Researchers from the University of Texas in Arlington found a strong link between weight perception and suicidal ideation. This study also sheds light on the essential role schools, families and communities can have to mitigate these dangers.

Karen Magruder

Associate Professor of Practice Karen Magruder

United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Announces 2025 International Distance Learning Award Winners

Karen J. Magruder, associate professor of practice in the School of Social Work, was awarded a 2025 United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA) Teaching Award.

Victor Allen

Adjunct Assistant Professor Victor Allen

Victor Allen impacts lives inside, outside the classroom

Victor Allen served his country in the Army. Now, he is serving his community, and it is getting recognition.

The NE adjunct instructor and retired Army sergeant major was presented his third Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from then-President Joe Biden in October.

Philip Baiden

Associate Professor Dr. Philip Baiden

Older Adults With Divorced Parents May Be at Higher Risk of Stroke

A new study co-authored by Philip Baiden, an associate professor of social work at UTA, suggests parental divorce during childhood may significantly increase the risk of stroke later in life. The study was reported on by dozens of broadcast, print, and online news outlets, domestically and around the globe.

Jennifer O'Brien

Associate Professor Dr. Jennifer O'Brien

Children Sex Trafficking – What you need to know

We should support policies and initiatives addressing child homelessness, food insecurity and drug endangerment. Tackling these root social problems strengthens community resilience and reduces risks for child sex trafficking, writes Jennifer O'Brien.

From left: Actor and comedian Joel Kim Booster and School of Social Work Dean, Kirk Foster

School of Social Work Dean, Kirk A. Foster

SSW hosts comedian Joel Kim Booster as part of October LGBTQ History Month

Social Work Speakers' Event with Joel Kim Booster, actor and comedian, and Kirk Foster, School of Social Work dean, speak during speakers' event on Oct. 2 at Texas Hall. The speakers' event is part of the School of Social Work's October speaker series.

Karla Arenas-Itotia

Associate Professor of Practice Karla Arenas-Itotia

Advocating for foster care/adoption with the agency Jonathan's Place

Associate Professor of Practice Karla Arenas-Itotia was interviewed on iHeart Radio which aired on approximately six stations for Mother's Day advocating for foster care/adoption with the agency Jonathan's Place. 

Kathy Lee

Dr. Kathy Lee

Challenges of Informal Caregivers

Dr. Kathy Lee, social work assistant professor, was featured in a news article about her research exploring the challenges facing millions of Americans who have become informal caregivers for family members in a piece for The Conversation. This story was reshared by Yahoo Life.

School of Social Work and Smart Hospital Building

UTA Social Work

DFW has 7 universities earning top spots for graduate programs in Texas including UTA Social Work

North Texas universities have done it again. U.S. News and World Report has deemed seven Dallas-Fort Worth universities among the best grad schools in the state, with some departments landing among the top 100 in the country.

Students, faculty and staff in the lobby area of the School of Social Work and Smart Hospital building

UTA Social Work

UT System earns accolades with US News Graduate programs including UTA Social Work

The University of Texas System institutions earned several top rankings in U.S. News and World Report’s most recent partial rankings of “Best Graduate Schools” in the U.S. According to U.S. News.

Ashley O. Brundage

Ashley O. Brundage

UTA SSW grad New Dallas area habitat for humanity CEO

Ashley O. Brundage said working on housing and homelessness “can definitely feel like you’re beating your head against a wall sometimes.” But that won't slow her down as she takes on her new role as CEO of Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.

Kathy Lee

Dr. Kathy Lee

Challenges of Informal Caregivers

Dr. Kathy Lee, social work assistant professor, was featured in a news article about her research exploring the challenges facing millions of Americans who have become informal caregivers for family members in a piece for The Conversation. This story was reshared by the Milwaukee Independent.

Dr. Christine Spadola

Dr. Christine Spadola

Tips for Adjusting to Daylight Saving Time

Christine Spadola, assistant professor of social work, gave tips on KLIF-AM to adjust to daylight saving time. Spadola recommended staying hydrated and maintaining a regular sleep schedule. She said it will...

Darlene Hunter

Dr. Darlene Hunter

Class of 2024 NWBA Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

We are thrilled to announce the induction of Dr. Darlene Hunter into the prestigious National Wheelchair Basketball Association (NWBA) Hall of Fame Class of 2024. Hailing from Walled Lake, Michigan, Darlene’s journey is marked by resilience, leadership, and unparalleled contributions to wheelchair basketball.

Dr. Kathy Lee

Dr. Kathy Lee

A social worker explains how to improve quality of life for family caregivers

Millions of Americans have become informal family caregivers: people who provide family members or friends with unpaid assistance in accomplishing daily tasks such as bathing, eating, transportation and managing medications.

Kiva Harper

Kiva Harper

Preventing Violence Against Social Workers - Advocating for Change

Harper says the gap in data on violence against social workers is indicative of a larger problem.

“I feel like it’s difficult to gather those numbers because I think a lot of [incidents] go unreported,” she says. “As a result, I think that the numbers are probably not ever captured accurately.”

Karen Magruder

Karen Magruder

What is the most common mistake that retirees make when choosing where to live

The biggest mistake would be not to make a plan! While everyone approaches retirement planning differently, a common oversight is underestimating expenses, especially healthcare costs.

 

Karen Magruder

Keeping Your Cool in a Warming World

In a world facing environmental challenges unprecedented in human history, it’s no surprise that eco-anxiety – a pervasive worry about the current and future state of our planet – has become an increasingly prevalent mental health issue.

 

Kiva Harper

War Trauma: The Psychological Consequences of War

Any traumatic experience that stems from military conflict is considered war trauma, and all war trauma can lead to mental health disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder.

 

Kiva Harper

Mental Health Awareness Month

Harper sat down with ESSENCE and discussed how reading one of the magazine’s articles on mental health in her early 20s “literally changed the trajectory” of her life.

 

Student sleeping

Research on sleep and self-care among social work students

Sleep health is integral for maintaining optimal physical and mental health, and plays a vital role in the context of substance misuse and substance use disorders (SUDs). 

 

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