HUSSW News

HUSSW News & Highlights

May 19, 2026

On Friday, May 8, 2026, the Howard University School of Social Work celebrated the Summer 2025, Winter 2025, and Spring 2026 graduating classes during its annual Awards and Recognition Ceremony. The event honored 180 MSW graduates and 6 Ph.D. graduates for their academic excellence, leadership, scholarship, and commitment to advancing social justice through the profession of social work. The ceremony also recognized distinguished student award recipients who exemplify the enduring strength of the Black Perspective in social work education and practice.

Category: HUSSW Articles

March 3, 2026

Dr. Janice Berry Edwards, MSW, PhD, LICSW, received the prestigious Professional Writing Award, at the Biennial Conference of the American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work (AAPCSW), recognizing her prolific scholarship and contributions to clinical social work. A professor at Howard University School of Social Work and President of AAPCSW, Dr. Edwards has distinguished herself through her leadership, psychoanalytic clinical practice, and influential publications.

Category: HUSSW Articles

March 1, 2026

The Transformation to Triumph Women’s Summit, held February 27–March 1, 2026, convened professionals, students, and community leaders at Howard University and The Gathering Spot DC in response to widespread layoffs affecting Black women. The three-day hybrid event featured sessions on civic engagement, personal branding, financial identity, leadership, contracting, and global networking. School of Social Work representatives played a central role, including welcome remarks from Dean Sheara Jennings and presentations by alumni, faculty, and students.

Category: HUSSW Articles

February 13, 2026

In recognition of Black History Month, we are proud to spotlight Black-owned businesses across Washington, DC. Supporting Black entrepreneurs is one tangible way to honor legacy, strengthen local economies, and invest in community sustainability. Economic empowerment has long been central to Black resilience and progress. This month, we encourage our community to shop intentionally and support the businesses that help shape the cultural and economic fabric of our city.

Category: HUSSW Articles

February 9, 2026

As we celebrate this year’s Black History Month, the Howard University School of Social Work honors Andrew Billingsley, Ph.D., a distinguished sociologist, scholar, and academic leader. His enduring legacy reflects a vision that helped shape a pivotal period in Howard University’s history, particularly within the School of Social Work and its commitment to the Black Perspective.

Category: HUSSW Articles

January 30, 2026

We congratulate alumna Brandi Pittman, MSW, LCSWA, on the publication of her children’s book, Feelings Are A Part of You. Inspired by her work with children and families, Brandi created this book to help young readers identify their emotions, express themselves, and learn healthy coping skills. It’s a practical resource for parents, caregivers, and educators looking to support emotional awareness from an early age.

Category: HUSSW Articles

January 28, 2026

The School of Social Work at Howard University is thrilled to celebrate the release of Transformational Empathy: Erasing the Space Between Us and Them written by Associate Professor Tracy R. Whitaker, DSW, ACSW. This book is a courageous invitation to pause, reflect, and examine how we show up for the people we serve. Dr. Whitaker confronts the divisive notion of “they’re not like us”—a sentiment that has been used to justify discrimination, exclusion, and dehumanization. She challenges social workers and helping professionals to reflect honestly on how this mindset can show up, even unintentionally, in systems meant to support individuals experiencing criminal justice involvement, substance use disorders, homelessness, and poverty.

Category: HUSSW Articles

January 20, 2026

The Howard University School of Social Work (HUSSW) announces the forthcoming retirement of Dr. Janice M. Davis, Ph.D., MSW, LCSW-C. Director of Clinical Education and the Office of Agency-Based Education, effective March 2, 2026. Dr. Davis, a proud alumna of HUSSW, has dedicated nearly 30 years to advancing the mission of the school and shaping the career development of countless social work students.

Category: HUSSW Articles

January 16, 2026

The Howard University School of Social Work proudly hosted the Grand Challenges for Social Work Festival of Ideas and Anniversary Dinner on January 14, 2025. Centered on the theme, “From Evidence to Action: Mobilizing Community Change,” the event convened scholars, practitioners, students, and community leaders for an open forum of dialogue and exchange across Grand Challenges for Social Work (GCSW) networks. Conversations explored social work’s role in addressing society’s most pressing issues and generating forward-thinking ideas to shape the future of research, education, practice, policy, and community-based efforts.

Category: HUSSW Articles

School of Social Work

HUSSW News & Highlights

Honoring 2026 Graduates and Student Leader Award Recipients

Dr. Janice Berry Edwards Honored at the AAPCSW Biennial Conference

Transformation to Triumph Women’s Summit Convenes Leaders, Scholars, and Community in a Collective Call to Reinvention

Honoring Black History Through Economic Empowerment

The Leadership and Legacy of Andrew Billingsley

Alumni Spotlight: Brandi Pittman, MSW, LCSWA

Faculty Spotlight: New Book by Dr. Tracy R. Whitaker

Dr. Janice M. Davis Retires After Nearly Three Decades at HUSSW

Howard University School of Social Work Hosts Grand Challenges for Social Work Festival of Ideas

HUSSW Publications and Leadership Awards

Howard Way Newsletter

HUSSW Monographs

Inabel Burns Lindsay Education Leadership Award

The Dig Feature Articles

Class of 2030 Begins Howard University Journey with 14th Annual ‘Day of Service’

The Howard University Student-Led Bus Protest that Challenged Virginia’s Jim Crow Laws

For Master's Graduate Jamerson Watson, Social Work is Not Just A Profession; It's a Ministry

Physicist Kim Lewis Brings Energy and Experience to Help Shape Howard University’s ‘R1’ Vision

Inspired in High School, Howard University Students Now Lead Alternative Spring Break