Alumni

For Rutgers School of Social Work alum Lily Antonowicz, a career in public policy began with a simple but profound goal: making a meaningful impact. “I was really agonizing over what I was going to do,” she recalled of her undergraduate years. “I just found myself wanting to make an impact in some kind of way and just wasn’t really sure how to best do that.” Encouraged by a mentor to explore social work, Lily discovered a path that would ultimately lead her to Capitol Hill, where she now serves as a legislative assistant in the office of Andy Kim, advising on health and labor policy.

Joe and Alessa Manuola earned their master's degree, coming full circle since arriving on the Douglass campus for preschool as toddlers.

In this edition of Partnering for Change, you will learn how Rutgers School of Social Work's global engagement is expressed through collaborative research initiatives, international partnerships, and globally-focused scholarship that informs policy and practice worldwide. The School is committed to ensuring that its global work is reciprocal, community driven, and grounded in mutual learning and respect. As you read, you will discover how leaders at our School are conducting research that addresses complex global challenges and are spearheading transformative efforts in communities across the world.

“Pretty scarlet,” says Peter Bridge, an alumnus of Rutgers School of Social Work. Now 83, Bridge continues to show his loyalty by proudly displaying the Rutgers “R” on his car and supporting programming at the School. He describes his transformative years at Rutgers as “a wonderful experience spent among so many great teachers and colleagues," emphasizing that the lessons he learned extended far beyond the classroom.

At a Central New Jersey senior center, an unexpected friendship and extraordinary bond have formed between two social workers whose careers began generations apart. One is just entering the field with hope and determination; the other, now a resident of the senior center, spent 65 years shaping it with grit, compassion, and an unwavering belief in humanity. Linking their stories is Rutgers School of Social Work and a shared understanding of what it truly means to care for others.

When Céline Fortin, SSW’91 arrived at The Arc of New Jersey as a Rutgers School of Social Work intern in 1990, she couldn’t have imagined the experience would define the course of her professional life. Today, more than three decades later, Fortin serves as executive director of the organization—the state’s leading advocacy and service provider for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Her journey serves as a powerful example of how a foundation in social work education and mentorship from experienced leaders can ignite enduring impact in the field.