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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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SSW Professor Abha Rai, Ph.D. Named SSWR Fellow
School of Social Work Assistant Professor Abha Rai, Ph.D., MSW was recently named to the 2025 cohort of Society of Social Work Research (SSWR) Fellows. Rai is joined by 20 other social work researchers added to the ranks of the SSWR Fellows this year.
Rai’s research focuses primarily on immigrant and refugee well-being, gender-based violence, culturally-responsive research, and exclusionary immigration policies. At Loyola, she serves as Co-Director in the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Accompaniment (CIRA). Rai said she was grateful to be acknowledged by such a prestigious organization.
“I feel honored to share this space with other renowned colleagues, also part of this cohort,” Rai said. “I am excited about my work and service toward SSWR being recognized. I hope to continue my service within SSWR and toward my fellow social work scholars.”
SSWR currently lists just 338 fellows working at universities across the globe. Fellows are recognized for their rigorous research that addresses issues of social work practice and policy and promotes a diverse, equitable and just society.
“I have always loved research and it continues to excite me to this day,” Rai said. “Growing up, I was always a curious individual, and getting to explore my curiosity through research has been amazing. At Loyola, I am excited that I am able to pursue community-engaged scholarship and research that is impactful. My passion for research and enthusiasm about making a difference to the community inspires me to be involved in diverse research projects.”
Along with the rest of the Class of 2025, Rai will be inducted into the Fellowship at the SSWR Annual Conference from January 15-19, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. Rai will also be presenting several research projects during the conference, a complete list of which can be found below.
“The SSWR Conference is always special since it allows me to connect with colleagues, mentors and friends,” Rai said. “I am presenting a few of our papers from recent projects with some of those colleagues and our doctoral students, which is wonderful. This conference is even more special since I get to join the SSWR 2025 Fellows cohort.”
Rai’s SSWR Presentation Schedule:
Thursday, January 16, 3:15-4:45 p.m.
Graham L., Rai, A., Abinader, M., Kafka, J., & Fusco, R. Innovative Methods for Using National Violent Death System Data to Investigate Intimate Partner Violence-Related Homicides and Suicides. Roundtable. Greenwood, Level 3.
Friday, January 17, 7:00-8:00 a.m.
Rai, A., et al. South Asian Social Work Educators’ Association (SASWEA). Special Interest Group. Seneca, Level 4.
Friday, January 17, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Held, M.L., Rai, A., Naseh, M. & Gitau, M. (2025, January). Afghan Evacuees in Chicago and Nashville: Strengthening Knowledge of Mental Health Promoting Factors. Presentation. Issaquah B, Level 3.
Friday, January 17, 3:45-5:15 p.m.
Cheng, S., Rai, A., Saasa, S. & Sohn, S. Mental Health Among Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence: The Role of Coping, Resilience, and Perceived Discrimination. Poster. Issaquah B, Level 3.
Saturday, January 18, 7:00-8:00 a.m.
Rai, A., Wood, L., Bagwell Gray, M., Klein, L.B. Violence Against Women and Children. Special Interest Group. Boren, Level 4.
Saturday, January 18, 9:45-11:15 a.m.
Rai, A., Sanchez-Gomes, A., Ravi, K.E., & Sabri, B. Scoping Review on the Utilization of the Violence Against Women Act by Immigrant Survivors. Poster. Grand Ballroom C, Level 2.
Saturday, January 18, 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Rai, A. Global and Immigrant GBV. Flash Talks. Virgina, Level 4.
Sunday, January 19, 8:00-9:30 a.m.
Kapur, I., Ravi, K.E., Rai, A., Farzam, F., Sanchez-Gomes, A., & Leyva Cea, E. Provider Perspectives of Immigrant Survivors Experiences Accessing the Violence Against Women Act. Poster. Grand Ballroom C, Level 2.
Sunday, January 19, 9:45-11:15 a.m.
Rai, A., Held, M.H., Huslage, M., Galvez, E., Demissie, Y.D., & Siksay, L. Do the Right Thing: How Can Social Workers Support Immigrants? Presentation. Cedar B, Level 2.