Patricia Kastner, SSW’02 is a dedicated alumna, a beloved mother and grandmother, and a lifelong advocate for children and families. Patricia’s journey to a career in social work has been defined by empathy, strength, and an unwavering commitment to helping others. Now, as she faces advanced ovarian cancer and receives care through hospice, her family and medical team are carrying forward her legacy through the newly-established Ovarian Cancer Innovation Fund—a visionary effort to fuel research and bring hope to others facing this disease.

Rutgers School of Social Work is pleased to announce the appointment of Drs. Julia Cusano, Sandra Edmonds Crewe, Amml Hussein, and Durrell Malik Washington Sr. to its faculty. We asked them to identify five meaningful objects in their homes and offices.

In 2000, when Kathy Ehrich Dowd graduated with a degree in journalism, she had her sights set on becoming the next Barbara Walters. For nearly two decades, she thrived as a reporter and editor, including an impressive 17-year run contributing to People magazine followed by a three-year stint at Time magazine. But what began as a passion for telling people’s stories, such as the families and victims of 9/11 and the Newtown school shooting, eventually led to burnout. Then came the pandemic, and with it, a turning point.

Born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and raised in Newark, Kareemah Harris-Baker’s story is one of resilience. As an adoptee who lost both her adoptive parents by the age of nine, Kareemah’s early life was shaped by profound transitions—and an unwavering sense of purpose instilled by her late parents.

The 2025 International Conference on Integrated Health and Social Work, held at National Taiwan University (NTU), brought together over 20 scholars from 12 universities across South Korea, Vietnam, Macau, the United States, and Taiwan. The two-day event served as a dynamic platform for advancing interdisciplinary research and collaboration in the field of integrated health and social work.

Dr. George Leibowitz, Dean and Distinguished Professor of the Rutgers School of Social Work, was awarded the 2025 Sol Gothard Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Organization of Forensic Social Work (Forensic Social Work Alliance). The award was presented at the Alliance’s annual conference in New Orleans on May 28, 2025.

We spoke with Carla Powers, SSW ’15, who earned an MSW certificate in Aging & Health from the School of Social Work, about her path to a career in gerontological social work.

Lauren Snedeker is an Assistant Professor of Teaching & Director of the Certificate on Aging & Health at Rutgers School of Social Work. We had the chance to speak with her about Older Americans Month and how social workers can support older individuals this month and well beyond.

On Monday, May 19, Rutgers School of Social Work recognized BASW, MSW, DSW, and Ph.D. graduates at its 2025 Convocation ceremony. Hundreds gathered at Jersey Mike’s Arena in New Brunswick to support the 829 graduates who earned a degree from the School of Social Work this year, including 685 MSW grads, 121 BASW grads, 12 DSW grads, and 11 Ph.D. grads.

In this edition, you will meet our newest faculty members and Alumni Council members and learn about the journeys that led them to service to the School. You’ll also get a glimpse inside our practicum learning program and the power it has to impact the social work profession.