80+ Years of Social Work Excellence | LSU School of Social Work

80+ Years of Social Work Excellence

The LSU School of Social Work (SSW) aspires to be a leading school of social work, a vibrant center for intellectual development, a leader in promoting and supporting diverse communities, and an advocate for an integrated and inclusive model of social work, all within a learning environment that supports best educational practices and the LSU national flagship agenda.

Join us as we celebrate more than 80 years of excellence in Social Work. Visit this page often to see inspiring stories about our amazing alumni, students, faculty, and staff who dedicate each and every day to improving quality of life across the lifespan.

Your Stories

David Jenkins

Dr. David Jenkins graduated from the LSU School of Social Work in 1988 and now serves at the Dean of the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville. 

Laura D'Aquin

Laura D'Aquin, CCLS, graduated from LSU in 2014 and currently works at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital as a Certified Child Life Specialist. 

Rachel Hebert

Racheal Hebert, LCSW, comes from Houma, Louisiana. She received her undergraduate degree at LSU in Women’s & Gender Studies and sociology in 2007. Herbert received her Master’s in Social Work from LSU in 2013. She is now the president and CEO of the nonprofit organization, STAR or Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response.


Events

Geaux Serve | October 27, 2018

The LSU School of Social Work faculty, staff, alumni and current students participated in an event that gave back to local agencies. Read full press release.  

Event Photos


Newsworthy and Notable

  • Dr. Pamela A. Monroe was awarded the 2019 Jacobs Professor of Excellence Spring 2019.
  • During summer 2018, Dr. Lily Allen and doctoral student Amy Wright had their article publicized. 
  • Amber Herbert, MAST 2003 and current doctoral student, conducted her presentation "Everyday ethics," at the National Adult Protective Services Association National Conference in Anaheim, California.
  • Jerry Reynolds, MAST 2003 and current doctoral student, was interviewed by Acadiana Lifestyle magazine about youth sport burnout and his area of research. 
  • Dr. Cassandra Chaney received the Africana Excellence in Research Award presented by the LSU AAAS. This award was in recognition of her demonstrated commitment to scholarship and superb  publication record in social work and Africana studies. 
  • In spring 2018, Doctoral student Janeal McCauley is a featured author in a recent issue of NCFR's Certified Family Life Educators newsletter.
  • In spring 2018,  Dr. Cassandra Chaney has been promoted from associate professor to professor.
  • During fall 2018, Dr. Wesley T. Church and Dr. Frank R. Campbell have established a partnership between the LSU School of Social Work to develop the National Suicidology Training Center

  • Johnnie Jones receives his PhD at 83 years young. 
  • Zibei Chen , MAST 2015 and PhD 2018, accepted a post doctoral, research fellowship at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She will be working in the Center on Assets, Education, and Inclusion. 
  •  Amy Wright, MSW 2013,  was offered a position as Assistant Professor at Illinois State University where she will present her research, "Partner Gender as a Predictor of Relationship Satisfaction, Sexual Satisfaction, Relationship Commitment, and Attachment Identity among Women."
  • Racheal Hebert, MAST 2013, works as the CEO of STAR, a nonprofit organization which Hebert got to build from the ground up. STAR now expands to Alexandria, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. 
  • Laura D'Aquin, CCLS, graduated from LSU in 2014 and currently works at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital as a Certified Child Life Specialist.

  • Dr. Dana Hunter, MAST 2005 and PhD 2013, currently serves as the Executive Director of the Childrens Cabinet in Governor John Bel Edwards' office. 

  • Karen Roy, MAST 1996, was named Ms. Wheelchair Louisiana 2018. 

  • Dr. David Jenkins, MAST 1988, serves as the dean of the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville. 

  • Todd Hamiltion, MAST 1977, serves as the O'Brien House Executive Director.

  • Dr. Ronald Rea, MSW 1960, provides clinical diagnostic studies and court testimony as an expert witness for clients represented by attorneys and social agencies that serve refugees seeking asylum in the US Homeland Security Courts. 

 

youth oasis logo
LOAAS logo
STAR logo
EHCC logo
Youth Oasis/Diversity House: Diversity House provides for the marginalized youth of Baton Rouge opportunities for advocacy, a place for support, and an option for shelter during times of emergency or crisis. Their goal is to nurture the younger generation of the area into become responsible adults. It is also one of the few LGBT safe havens in the southeast area.
Louisiana Office of Aging and Adult Services: Created under the Department of Health, it includes any available programs for the elderly or those with adult disabilities. It is committed to providing to those in need of long terms care and constantly working to create a program that will meet the need of those specific customers.  They also have a new program for older LGBTQ adults, which is one-of-a-kind in the state. They regularly train students from LSU, molding them into the future leaders of Louisiana social work.
STAR (Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response): Led by LSU alumni, Racheal Hebert, it strives to end sexual violence and abuse, create better systems for reporting and preventing these traumatic acts, and being there to care for victims. They also provide free community workshops to help better educate society on the effects of and how to prevent sexual assault. These workshops also include aiding survivors of sexual violence.
Elayn Hunt Correctional Center (EHCC): The center is an environment that is not only professional, but protects the surrounding area and their workers as much as they do the offenders. In addition to providing for the basic necessities, they also have work, mental health, medical, social, and a variety of other programs available to join.

 

 

Social Work Degree Guide logo: Most Affordable

LSU School of Social Work named #3
of Top 10 programs in 2018

2019-20 Best Online MSW Program badge

LSU School of Social Work named #9
on list of 25 Best Fully Online Master's 
in Social Work Programs for 2019-20