A Message from the Alumni Board President:
Dear Alumni,
I’m excited to welcome you to a new academic year and the latest edition of our Alumni Newsletter. Every fall feels like a fresh start at Boston College, and it’s a great reminder of the energy, talent, and heart within our community. Whether you graduated decades ago or just this past May, you remain an important part of our shared BCSSW family.
This year, the Alumni Board is focusing on a few key goals that I’d love to share with you. First, we want to support the School’s initiatives—especially around the theme of Accompaniment in Action. We’ll be lifting up this idea throughout our events and programs, mentioned below.
Second, we’re working on strengthening our connections with School leadership. We are inviting administration and faculty to join us in a conversation aimed at ensuring alumni voices and perspectives are meaningfully included in working toward shaping the School's future. As part of this effort, in October Dean Gautam N. Yadama will be our first guest.
We’re also aiming to raise awareness of the Alumni Board’s efforts—whether through articles on mentoring, spotlights on our seven new board members, or the incredible mock interviews our community supports each spring. And finally, we’re committed to keeping our Board energized and engaged, so we can keep offering fresh ideas and meaningful opportunities for alumni like you to connect.
I hope you’ll find ways to engage with us this year—whether by joining us at an event, volunteering as a mentor, or simply sharing your ideas for how we can strengthen this community. Together, we can continue to build bridges between alumni, students, faculty, and the larger world of social work.
As always, I’d love to hear from you—please don’t hesitate to reach out with thoughts, ideas, or even to say hello at sswalumni@bc.edu.
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With warmth and gratitude,
Sincerely,
James G. Patterson, MSW, LICSW, Class of 2014
President, BCSSW Alumni Board
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EJI Lecture & Distinguished Alumni Awards Celebration
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Join us on Monday, November 10 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. in Gasson 100. The keynote address will be given by Dr. Cristiano Casalini.
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Connect with fellow BCSSW alumni while making meaningful impact on Sunday, October 26.
In partnership with BCSSW Alumni Association and the Older Adults and Families Department.
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To celebrate BCSSW authors, a dedicated corner in the library now highlights these authors, and for Suicide Prevention month, we will highlight Emotionally Naked by Kimberly O’Brien, MSW’05, PhD’11. Have a book to share? Fill out the form below.
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We have over 30 alumni participating in this year’s Alumni Mentoring Program. The program, which launched in 2015 and has served more than 500 graduates, is built on a simple idea: social workers grow stronger when they grow together.
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Pencil in the following dates for the spring semester:
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- Feb 26, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Annual Networking event, on-campus
- March 9, deadline to volunteer for virtual mock interviews
- March 20, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Social Services job fair, on-campus
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Tom Byrne, a newly appointed associate professor, studies the root causes of homelessness, its impact on health, and the policies that could help make housing more secure.
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Timothy Williams was promoted from the part-time faculty to the full-time faculty this summer, marking the culmination of a full-circle journey that reflects his passion for teaching and his commitment to improving the lives of children and families worldwide.
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Robin Warsh has brought an evidence-based approach to teaching since joining the faculty as an assistant professor in the mid-90s, blending scholarship and case studies with role-playing activities to enhance learning for students working with clients.
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Sue Coleman, assistant dean of field education, is retiring after over 25 years working in the Field Education Office. She has touched the lives of so many alumni. Please feel free to share your good wishes or say it in-person at the Distinguished Alumni Awards event November 10.
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Officers: President: James Patterson, MSW ’14; Vice President: Emily Greising, MSW
Board of Directors: Portia Agbo, MSW’19; Jennifer Blewett, MSW ’10; Melisa Canuto, MSW ‘13; Caitlin Carta, MSW ’13; Niurka DeJesus, MSW’16; Lily Drescher, MSW’19; Sharikka Finley-Moise, MSW’13; Heather Finn, MSW ’13; Cristina Goverman, MSW ’15; Madelaine Grimmer, MSW ’16, Anjun Lamichhane, MSW’19; Giovanna Nelkin, MSW’24; Brieanna Ritacco, MSW ’18; Sandy Saenbounmy, MSW ’19; Jeffrey Sierra, MSW’17; Victoria Tucker, MSW ’13; Tricia Weldon, MSW ’91
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Boston College School of Social Work
140 Commonwealth Avenue, McGuinn Hall
Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467
bc.edu/ssw
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