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The Howard University School of Social Work celebrated Homecoming 2026 with events that brought together national social work leaders, alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends for professional dialogue and fellowship. The week began with a Fireside Chat featuring Dr. Anthony Estreet, CEO of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), and Dr. Halaevalu F. Ofahengaue Vakalahi, President and CEO of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Facilitated by Dean Sheara Jennings, the discussion explored the future of social work, including challenges surrounding graduate education affordability, federal student loan policies, workforce development, licensure, and professional advocacy. The celebration continued Saturday with a Homecoming Tailgate hosted by the Student Council Association, welcoming alumni from across the country and members of the Howard community for food, music, and Bison fellowship.

Congratulations to the Howard University School of Social Work (HUSSW) community for presenting at the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) 2026 Annual Program Meeting, held October 22–25, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.

This year’s theme, “Rooted in Resilience: Honoring the Past, Grounding the Present,” provides an important backdrop for scholarship examining resilience across individuals, families, educational institutions, and broader social systems. Howard University School of Social Work faculty and doctoral scholars will contribute to this national dialogue through paper presentations, workshops, panel discussions, e-posters, and Connect Sessions. Click to view full lineup of presenters. 

Watch the latest installment of our Mental Health Series, The Struggle Is Real. This September, our conversation focused on “The Lived Experience” and the important role individuals with lived experience play in strengthening the social service workforce and the communities we serve.

Led by  Dr. Tracy R. Whitaker, DSW, ACSW and Dr. Gloria Cain, Ph.D., LMSW, the discussion highlighted an innovative public-private collaboration in the nation’s capital: the Peer Case Management Institute, which trains individuals with lived experience of homelessness to become case managers.This conversation also considers a critical part of creating truly inclusive workplaces: ensuring that individuals with lived experience enter environments that value their perspectives, recognize the unique obstacles they may encounter, and protect and promote their mental wellness.