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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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MSW student completes internship in Thailand
My name is Nicole Betteridge and I am a recent MSW student at Loyola University Chicago. While I have been studying in the United States, my love of international social work has taken me to many parts of the world. I am currently completing my final MSW internship through a partnership between Thammasat University in Bangkok and Loyola University Chicago. My internship is in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department of Siriraj Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. Situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Siriraj Hospital is one of the oldest and largest hospitals in Thailand. It was established in 1888 by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn and covers a land space of 73 rai (approx. 117,000 square feet).
As a medical social worker in Thailand our cases may be much more diverse than a social worker may find working in a department of a USA hospital. We handle cases of children living in severe to moderate poverty with a single parent or grandparent, children with learning disabilities and low IQ’s, child victims of rape and other sexual abuse, drug use, school refusals, mental and mood disorders, such as depression and suicidal thoughts, schizophrenia, anxiety, adjustment and conduct disorders. The department also works with a few cases of asylum seekers (currently from Pakistan). Our work with children and adolescents is broad and takes us to many parts of Bangkok as well as outlying locations for court hearings, school consultations, and home visits. As a teaching hospital we also have time with senior level doctors for seminars on medical conditions and research as well as case analysis and review.
While the situations faced by Asian children and youth may sound similar to that of many children and adolescents in the United States, there are many differences to the work here. There are only two universities in Thailand where an individual can obtain a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work. Therefore, institutions, such as hospitals, lack enough professionals needed to help advocate and empower vulnerable children and youth. Thai culture is very collective and community focused. Thai people remain tranquil throughout the most traumatic of events. These cultural behaviors play an important role in the work we do at Siriraj Hospital.
I strongly encourage you to take the time to explore international social work opportunities as you further your education or career. While exploring international social work may seem irreverent to some people or take them outside of what is familiar (your “comfort zone”), I guarantee that an awareness of global social work will strengthen an individual’s understanding of what it means to be a social worker. This is essential today as our world continues to become internationally interconnected!