Associate Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Joy Swanson Ernst (left below), and Associate Professor and Doctoral Program Director Faith Hopp (right below) have been named fellows of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA). Ernst and Hopp were awarded GSA fellowship the highest class of membership through the Social Research, Policy, and Practice Section in acknowledgement of their outstanding and continuing work in the field of gerontology. GSA is the world's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. Fellowships are approved by GSA's Council after review and recommendations by the GSA Fellowship Committee. Read more.

Following a competitive application process, Professor Poco Kernsmith (left below) and Academic Services Officer III and Part-time Faculty member Shantalea Johns (right below) have been named fellows of Wayne State Academic Leadership Academy (ALA). Created by Provost Keith Whitfield and Annmarie Cano, Associate Provost for Faculty Development and Faculty Success, the ALA is part of Wayne State's pledge to support the professional growth and success of its faculty and staff. Twenty-six Warriors make up the ALA inaugural fellows group and each has committed to developing a project to improve a facet of campus life, participate in a leadership retreat, attend monthly seminars, and participate in assessments, coaching and mentorship meetings. Read more.

On May 1^st, the School of Social Work hosted its annual Dean's Graduation Reception, in which faculty, staff, graduates and alumni gathered to honor the graduating class of 2019. This event also hosted the presentation of the following awards:

• BSW Student of the Year: Masuma Jinnat
• MSW Student of the Year: Dominque Golden
• 2018-19 Albert Schweitzer Fellow: Sarah Charbonneau
• Teaching Award: Judith Wineman
• Service Award: Tamarie Willis

Congratulations to all of our graduates and award recipients! A special thanks to all of the Social Work faculty and staff that help support our students in their journey towards the finish line! View event photos.

School of Social Work students participate in the interdisciplinary Wayne State University Community Homeless Interprofessional Program (CHIP), which recently earned an honorable mention in the 2019 Excellence in Interprofessional Education Collaboration National Award competition presented by the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) and the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC). Read more. For information on how you can #EmpowerSocialChangeInDetroit as a participating member of CHIP contact Shantalea Johns at shantalea@wayne.edu or visit https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0e45abaa2ba5fa7-chip. Participation is open to all Social Work students and alumni.