Community Matters 2023
Message from the Dean
As winter slowly turns to spring, nature reminds us of the promise for rebirth and
growth and the opportunities that lie ahead—opportunities for addressing social challenges
and building resilience.
The College recently hosted the inaugural Cultural Literacy in Human Services Summit, bringing together more than 100 providers, policy makers, academics, and researchers from our greater community to discuss how we move forward in addressing the critical human service needs of Utahns. Like the intertwining bushes and trees breaking forth through the snow, so does social work provide pathways linking a community working together for social good.
This edition of Community Matters highlights the work of current and former students who also represent the promise of spring and the ways social work weaves together opportunities and hope for the future. Read on for stories about a student and a mentor who are integrating social work and law; an alum’s second career, incorporating mindfulness into recovery services for people in a county jail; and how one grad is utilizing animal-assisted therapy to help clients move past their trauma. Enjoy!
Philip Osteen, PhD
Dean and Associate Professor
In the Community
Caring from the Courtroom
“My education set me up to be the best version of my public defender self.”
Treating Trauma with Therapeutic Tails
“[Working with an animal] helps to solidify the DBT skills the client needs in a memorable way so they remember how to practice them at home.”
Shared Scholarship
How Mastering Your Breath Can Help You Control Your Nerves
Associate Dean for Research & Director of C-MIIND Eric Garland, in Inverse
Law Journal Symposium to Explore the Barriers
Formerly Incarcerated People Face for Successful ReEntry
Associate Professor & Director of the Utah Criminal Justice Center Emily Salisbury, in KU Today
Advocates Encourage Tackling Taboo of Domestic Violence, Normalizing Conversations
Associate Professor & MSW Program Director Lindsay Gezinski, at KSL News
Mindfulness Meditation Can Help Treat Addiction,
New Research at the U Finds
Associate Dean for Research & Director of C-MIIND Eric Garland & Assistant Professor/Lecturer
Richie Landward,
in The Daily Utah Chronicle
U Pilot Project to Help People Experiencing Homelessness
Associate Professor Sarah Canham, in @theU
Utah Legislature Approves $55 Million for Affordable Housing
Associate Professor Sarah Canham, in The Daily Utah Chronicle
Community Advisory Board Update
The College’s Community Advisory Board (CAB) continues to be a valuable group of contributors on some of the most important issues facing our College and community. In a recent meeting, members shared their thoughts on proposed legislation related to social work licensure. In upcoming meetings, they will review CSW project proposals and offer input from their respective community positions. Meanwhile, they continue to support merit and financial need scholarships for BSW students. We are incredibly grateful for their dedication and service.
In membership updates, we are excited to have welcomed Meghan Andersen (BSW ’08; MSW ’11), Emmie Gardner (MSW ’87), and Xris Macias (BS ’11; MEd ’19) to the board this year. CAB is chaired by Tammer Attallah (MSW ’01); Rebecca Mabe (also MSW ’01) is the vice-chair. Jessica Waters (MSW ’16) served as chair during the fall—we appreciate her good work before she left for an adventure out of state and in a time zone not conducive to our 8:30 AM MST meetings.
If you are a morning person and have interest in joining discussions such as those described above, please contact Lisa Himonas for more information on the CAB (Lisa.Himonas@socwk.utah.edu or 801-587-8387).