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Noor Paracha Hayat Found Home at Loyola
Noor Paracha Hayat gave the student address at the School of Social Work's commencement ceremony in May 2026, reflecting on her journey that led her to Loyola.
Ren Horst Awarded 2026 President's Medallion
As this year’s recipient of the President’s Medallion, Ren is recognized not only for her academic excellence, but for the lived experience, cultural grounding, and unwavering purpose that inform her work in social services.
Loyola professor spotlights mental health on campus
As demand rises for mental health resources on college campuses, Loyola serves students with evidence-based resources. School of Social Work Professor Jonathan Singer, Ph.D. is leading the way.
Introducing Three New Faculty Members
We are pleased to welcome three outstanding scholars and educators as new full-time faculty members: Shannon Dunn, Ph.D., Amzie Moore II, Ph.D., and LaTasha Smith, Ph.D. Each brings a deep commitment to social work education, innovative research agendas, and a passion for teaching and mentorship that aligns with Loyola’s mission and values.
SSWR Conference 2026 Presentations
More than 40 presentations from School of Social Work faculty, students, and alumni were accepted for presentation at the Society for Social Work and Research Conference 2026. Find out when and where you can see them.
Building Bridges Through Bilingual Social Work
Loyola University Chicago’s Online Bilingual Master of Social Work (MSW) program is preparing a new generation of compassionate, culturally responsive social workers capable of navigating systemic barriers and providing critical care in both English and Spanish.
Dr. Abha Rai Named Top 2% Scientist
Assistant Professor Abha Rai, Ph.D., MSW was recently named to the prestigious Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientist List for 2025, a global ranking that honors the world's most influential researchers.
CADC Grant Renewed
The School of Social Work is excited to announce a $452,000 grant for the Certificate in Alcohol and Other Drug Counseling (CADC) Workforce Expansion Program. The grant was renewed for the third year by the Illinois Certification Board and the Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Substance Use Prevention and recovery.
Serving Those Who Served: A Day in the Life of a VA Social Worker
Join us November 5 for our panel discussion collaboration with Military Veteran Student Services and the Jesse Brown Veterans Association.
Loyola University Chicago’s School of Social Work celebrated the grand opening of its new Behavioral Health Simulation Lab on Friday, October 17, marking a major milestone in the University’s commitment to advancing behavioral health education and training.
Maribel Lopez, Ed.D. Recognized with President's Volunteer Service Award
Professor Maribel Lopez was recognized with the prestigious award in May for her impressive volunteer work
Goutham M. Menon, PhD, Appointed Dean of the School of Social Work
Goutham M. Menon, PhD, has been appointed as the dean of the School of Social Work. He will join Loyola on July 1 from the University of Nevada-Reno, where he serves as director of the School of Social Work.
Awards
Benjamin Marton: Empowering youth to be advocates for change
Marton, who is one of this year's President's Medallion recipients, is studying for his master’s degree in social work, serves as a graduate and research assistant for two professors, is the president of the School of Social Work Student Organization, and works several days a week as an intern at Loyola Community and Family Services.
Active alumni presented with Damen Award
Licensed social worker Daniel Kill is a long-time advocate for mental health
"Social work education is the future of all academic teaching, even if most academicians don’t know it yet. It mixes training in social theory with mandatory hours of work in the field, putting those theories decidedly into practice -- something that most students clamor for."
SSW Alum and Adjunct Faculty Member Honored as Emerging Leader of the Year
In celebration of Social Work Month, Loyola SSW's very own Sarah Buino has been honored as the Emerging Leader of Year by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW)-Illinois Chapter for her exceptional work as a clinician and leadership in promoting social justice and social change.
Loyola Faculty, Staff, Students and Alumni Present at the Society for Social Work and Research Annual Meeting
Join us during the SSWR 23rd Annual Conference in San Francisco, CA from January 16 - 20, 2019. Attend to our faculty, students and alumni talks. We have included a copy of the presentations. On January 18, our school will be hosting a reception and we hope to see you there.
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Chicago Public Schools is our Agency of the Year
Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work partners with more than 1,200 organizations across the country to provide students interns with hands-on learning experience. Each year, we like to single out one organization that has gone above and beyond to create a productive learning environment for interns as well as assisting with other challenges interns may face.
"The event is facilitated to demonstrate the invaluable contributions that our Internship Supervisors & Liaisons provide to our students," said Associate Dean for Student Affairs Amy Greenberg. "They are the on the ground, day to day eyes and ears to ensure that our students, their interns, are integrating what they learn in the classroom setting everyday in their practice with the population that they serve."
This year, the School of Social Work is recognizing Chicago Public Schools as its 2024 Agency of the Year. With more than 10 Loyola social work students in CPS internships this year, the district has been an active partner in ensuring our students get helpful work experience. The internship program also creates a pathway for a career with CPS after the beneficial internship training with school social work supervisors. CPS also is an active participant in the Community Immersion Program, attends our annual Networking & Career Fair, and partners with the school on various grants.
"I want to thank the Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work for honoring CPS as its Agency of the Year," said Pedro Martinez, CEO of Chicago Public Schools. "Our more than 600 social workers provide students in every corner of Chicago with the guidance, support, and resources they need to reach their full potential. They help ensure students' mental and emotional health are prioritized alongside academic growth, and I am thrilled to see them recognized for their critically-important work."
In addition to the valuable experience provided, CPS also provides stipends to support Masters-level social work interns in an attempt to offset some of the barriers that come with being a student with classes, work, and other obligations.
The School of Social Work also recognized two individuals with awards for their work with interns. Interim Dean Jim Marley dedicated the Internship Supervisor of the Year award to Felix Biestek, SJ. Biestek was a Jesuit priest who graduated from the School of Social Work in 1938. Biestek's significant contributions to social work made him very influential during a time of great expansion in the field. Biestek died in 1994 after more than 30 years of teaching at Loyola.
That award was then presented to Jude Gonzales of Chicago Waldorf School. Gonzales has supervised 13 students over the past few years and is .
Jennifer Clark of Chicago Public Schools was recognized as the Liaison of the Year. Liaisons serve more of a mentorship role for social work interns and are vital for the development of future social workers. Clark was unfortunately unable to attend the luncheon.