“Compassion + Action is how I strive to live my personal life,” says Dr. Rowena G. Wilson. “It represents how I interact with others, how I serve them, how I problem-solve, and how I express my humanity—especially with those experiencing pain or suffering. To me, it is natural and human to care about others, to join in the celebrations of life with them, and to extend a helping hand in times of need. Essentially, Compassion + Action is what I call love.” These words beautifully echo the 2025 National Social Work Month theme, “Social Work: Compassion + Action.” Introduced in March but resonating throughout the year, this theme acknowledges the power of empathy backed by purpose and skill—qualities Dr. Wilson has embodied throughout her distinguished career.
Category: HUSSW Articles
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.
On March 22, 2025, the Howard University School of Social Work hosted a powerful and timely 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.
As we celebrate the remarkable 100th birthday of Reverend Rhoda C. Nixon, we honor a Howard University School of Social Work alumna whose life’s journey has been defined by service, faith, leadership, and a deep love for humanity. “In essence, Howard University is my life’s foundation,” Rev. Nixon shared. A proud 1950 graduate of the MSW program under Dean Inabel Burns Lindsay, she credits Howard with instilling in her the core values of flexibility, listening, discipline, and purpose. These principles became the blueprint for a lifetime of groundbreaking work in social work, education, and ministry.
The Howard University School of Social Work is proud to announce that it will host the 2025 Group for the Advancement of Doctoral Education in Social Work (GADE) Annual Conference from April 2-4, 2025. This event will be held in Washington, D.C., marking the first time the conference will be hosted by a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).
A passionate advocate for disability rights, Zibora Gilder, a MSW student at Howard University’s School of Social Work and Executive Director of Empowered Hands, LLC, recently made waves on The Roland Martin Show. With over a decade of experience in disability services, her mission focuses on dismantling systemic barriers faced by Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing individuals, particularly People of Color—a cause fueled by personal experiences, including Ms. Gilder's own brother’s challenges navigating an inaccessible world.
As we celebrate Black History Month in 2025, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) has chosen "African Americans and Labor." This theme highlights the profound and transformative ways Black people have engaged in labor across centuries—free or unfree, skilled or unskilled, vocational or voluntary. Work has been a defining feature of Black history and culture, shaping communities and propelling the nation forward despite systemic barriers.
Dr. Cudore L. Snell, DSW, LICSW, Assistant Provost for International Programs and Professor at the Howard University School of Social Work, has been recommended by the Peer Review Panel for placement on the Fulbright Specialist Roster. This prestigious and competitive opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and World Learning. Dr. Snell's tenure officially began on October 18, 2024, and will run through October 18, 2027.
The Howard University School of Social Work is proud to announce that its distinguished faculty and students will present at the 29th Annual Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) Conference, taking place January 15-19, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. This year’s conference theme, “Strengthening Social Impact through Collaborative Research,” highlights the importance of partnerships in advancing social work research and practice. Howard University will be well-represented, contributing critical insights on social issues, including intimate partner violence, mental health, leadership in public housing, and culturally attuned social work practice.
India Long, a first-year Master of Social Work (MSW) student at Howard University, has been awarded the Black Women Thriving East of the River Healthcare Scholarship Award. This scholarship is part of an initiative to dismantle barriers Black women face in pursuing advanced careers in healthcare.
