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Dr. Janice Davis, Dr. Janice Edwards, and Dr. Gloria Cain of the Howard University School of Social Work were selected as Faculty Fellows in the inaugural University Psychedelic Education Program (U-PEP). Held at the Usona Institute, the program equips educators with evidence-based, culturally responsive training on psychedelic-assisted care. The faculty will integrate this emerging content into Howard’s curriculum, preparing students to lead in innovative mental health practices.

Howard University School of Social Work celebrates the leadership of alumna Florence Champagne, MSW, and MSW student Bahati Bridges in advancing critical heart health legislation in Maryland. With support from the Open My Heart Foundation and introduced by Delegate Jamila Woods, MSW, the new law mandates insurance coverage for coronary calcium score testing—a vital screening tool for early detection of heart disease. This achievement highlights Howard’s impact on real-world policy change and its ongoing commitment to health equity and social justice.

Adachi Selas, a graduating MSW students, has conducted pivotal research addressing the overmedication of Black youth in foster care. Her study, co-authored with Dr. Janice Berry Edwards, reveals that implicit biases often lead to the misdiagnosis and excessive prescription of psychotropic medications to Black children, bypassing necessary therapeutic interventions. Selas's findings advocate for culturally competent care and systemic reforms to ensure equitable treatment within the child welfare system. Click image to read more about Adachi’s journey and research in the Dig: "From Passion to Policy: School of Social Work Graduate Adachi Selas Confronts Inequities in Child Welfare Through Research" 

Natoy Fowler-Rowe, a graduating dual-degree student at Howard University, has combined her studies in Divinity and Social Work to champion student wellness through faith and creativity. Drawing from personal experiences and her role at the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel, she initiated programs like "Mind Over Makeup" and "Matters of the Heart," blending art therapy with peer support to address mental health challenges on campus. Her journey, enriched by interfaith engagements, underscores the transformative power of community and spirituality in academic settings. As she prepares for commencement, Fowler-Rowe leaves behind a legacy of holistic wellness initiatives that continue to inspire. 

Howard University proudly hosted the 2025 Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education (GADE) Conference, becoming the first HBCU to ever do so. This milestone event brought together social work educators and leaders from across the nation to reimagine the future of doctoral education.

From critical conversations on equity and policy to spotlighting innovation and leadership, the energy was powerful—and deeply rooted in our mission to prepare the next generation of scholar-practitioners.

Special thanks to GADE, the HU School of Social Work Alumni Association (HUSWAA), Afro Blue, Charm Photography, Kornerstone Productions, National Press Club, Sodexo, The Dig, and all our university partners who made this historic gathering possible. We continue to honor our 90-year legacy of social work education and lead with vision.

Howard University's School of Social Work is proactively addressing the critical shortage of school social workers through its innovative Project PRESS (Preparing Responsive and Effective School Social Workers). This pilot program places second-year master's students in Washington, D.C., public schools, particularly in underserved areas like Wards 7 and 8, aiming to increase and diversify the school social work labor force. Participants undergo intensive training and receive financial support, equipping them to provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed care to students. By fostering strong community ties and emphasizing the importance of addressing systemic challenges, Project PRESS exemplifies Howard University's commitment to social justice and educational equity. Read full feature in the Baltimore Post-Examiner: "Schools face a shortage of social workers — but Howard University has a plan that helps"