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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"

On March 22, 2025, the Howard University School of Social Work hosted a conference titled “Understanding Social Isolation and the Impact on Communities.” The event, made possible through the partnership of the Multidisciplinary Gerontology Center (HU-MGC), the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program, and the support of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, brought together practitioners, scholars, students, and community partners for a full day of education, dialogue, and collective action.

Zibora Gilder, MSW student at Howard University’s School of Social Work and Executive Director of Empowered Hands, LLC, recently appeared on The Roland Martin Show to discuss the growing threats to disability rights and the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) protections. Drawing from over a decade of experience in disability services and personal connections to the Deaf community, Gilder highlighted alarming efforts to remove American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters from government spaces and emergency broadcasts. Click to Read More

As we celebrate 90 years of Social Work Education at Howard University, we pay tribute to the visionary leadership and enduring legacy of Dean Inabel Burns Lindsay, our founding dean. Born February 13, 1900, Dr. Lindsay was a pioneer, becoming the first African American woman to lead an accredited school of social work in the U.S. Her dedication to equity, academic excellence, and social change laid the foundation for what is now one of the nation’s top-ranked social work programs—#12 in the 2024 U.S. News & World Report. Today, we stand on her shoulders, carrying forward her mission to make social work a force for justice, equity, and empowerment

The Howard University School of Social Work is excited to welcome new team members and celebrate internal appointments that will enhance our impact and support for students, faculty, and the community. We look forward to the contributions of these talented professionals as we continue advancing social justice, scholarship, and service. Click here to learn more!

Leadership Appointments

🔹 Dr. Altaf Husain – Associate Dean for Academic & Student Advancement
🔹 Dr. Meirong Liu – Director of the Ph.D. Program & Chair of Research

Team Transitions & New Roles

🔹 Sharon Fletcher – Ph.D. Program Coordinator
🔹 Kristin Conley – Budget Administrative Officer
🔹 Vera Fields – Community Outreach Coordinator, Gerontology Center
🔹 Armani Hayes – Facilities Assistant
🔹 Sabrina Williams – Facilities Assistant

The DC Department of Human Services (DHS) in collaboration with the Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness (TCP), Pathways to Housing DC, and Howard University’s School of Social Work launched the pioneering Peer Case Management Institute. As covered by the Washington Post, The Washington Informer, and WTOP, the Peer Case Management Institute graduated its first cohort on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. The graduates, once homeless themselves, have completed the comprehensive training program and are now equipped with the skills and knowledge to serve as case managers in the homeless service system. 

HUSSW goes in-depth on specific subject matter affecting society at large.