The University of Illinois System campuses (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, University of Illinois Springfield and University of Illinois Chicago) are partnering for an upcoming simulation symposium, set to take place at the University of Illinois Springfield campus on October 29, 2026 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The University of Illinois Simulation Symposium invites practitioners, educators, […]
Category: News
Foundations of Effective Leadership Training Series
Join us for a dynamic leadership training series, beginning in March 2026, designed for individuals who want to strengthen their leadership capacity and deepen their impact within their organizations and communities. This series features modular, one-hour trainings led by Joy Das of the Illinois Leadership Center at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Each session will […]
Hosting the Inaugural Beyond Borders: Global Mental Health Research and Services Conference With Dr. Flora Cohen
The School of Social Work recently hosted the inaugural Beyond Borders: Global Mental Health Research and Services Conference. Coinciding with World Mental Health Day, the conference sought to bring together leaders, researchers, practitioners and people with lived experience from the local Champaign-Urbana community and around the world. Spanning two days, the event included speaker sessions […]
PhD Research Spotlight: Supporting the Mental Well-Being of Families Who Have Experienced the Loss of a Baby
Beth Shelton, a PhD student at the University of Illinois School of Social Work and the first certified perinatal mental health specialist in Memphis, Tennessee, and the Mid-South region, recognized early on the profound impact that a lack of trauma-focused care can have on the mental well-being of families who have experienced the loss of […]
Illinois Youth Survey Reveals Concerning Trends in Teen Substance Use
A recent report from the Illinois Youth Survey highlights concerning trends in alcohol and cannabis use among teens across the state. Conducted every two years, the survey gathers critical data on youth behaviors to help inform prevention and intervention strategies statewide. According to the latest findings, Illinois teens are drinking nearly twice the national average, […]
Alumna Jewelry Keodara Named 2025–2026 Peace Fellow
The School of Social Work is proud to celebrate alumna Jewelry Pouna Keodara (BSW ’22, MSW ’23), who has been named a 2025–2026 Titus and Linda Peachey Peace Fellow with Legacies of War. As part of the fellowship, Jewelry will travel to Laos to witness firsthand the lasting impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) on local […]
Professor Karen Tabb Dina Selected As Inaugural Mark Brandt Faculty Scholar
We are thrilled to announce that Professor Karen Tabb Dina has been selected as the inaugural Mark Brandt Faculty Scholar in the School of Social Work. The Brandt Faculty Scholar was established to honor scholarship and leadership of the highest distinction in research, mentorship, and professional service. Following an open call for nominations among eligible […]
Celebrating World Mental Health Day 2025 through Art, Movement, and Global Connection
The University of Illinois School of Social Work is proud to honor World Mental Health Day (October 10, 2025) with a series of engaging events that highlight the power of art, movement, and global dialogue to support healing, resilience, and community. Sponsored by School of Social Work Beyond Borders Global Mental Health Conference (IIP Implementation […]
PhD Research Spotlight: Supporting Latina Immigrant Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
When University of Illinois School of Social Work PhD student Erika La Frano began her career as a clinician, she witnessed firsthand the struggles immigrant women face when seeking help after intimate partner violence (IPV). Her clients encountered barriers that extended far beyond the violence itself, including language differences, cultural stigma, lack of legal knowledge, […]
3-Part Book Study: “What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing”
The School of Social Work and the Kellner Center for Neurogenomics, Behavior, and Society present a 3-part book study on What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD and Oprah Winfrey. These sessions will delve into the intricate intersection of trauma, examining its biological, psychological, neurological, and relational dimensions. Trauma […]