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Each spring, the Department of Social Work recognizes students and faculty for their accomplishments. We award six student awards, multiple faculty of the year awards, and also recognize outstanding MSW Program capstone projects. We encourage you to read more about these accomplishments and honors below.
Student Awards
Each spring, the Department of Social Work recognizes three Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) students and three Master of Social Work (MSW) Program students with the Social Justice Advocate Awards, Social Work Leadership Awards, and Social Work Scholar Awards. Students are nominated for these awards by faculty and fellow students, with decisions made by a committee of departmental faculty and staff.
Social Justice Advocate Award
The Social Justice Advocate Award recognizes a student who has made a significant contribution in the advancement of human rights, peace, justice, or equality within the university, local or global communities. This award acknowledges students’ contributions towards the alleviation of social inequalities for marginalized communities, particularly based on race, class, sexuality, gender, ability status, and nationality. Each year, one award will be granted to a BSSW student and one award will be granted to an MSW student.
2023-2024 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Marissa Corado
- MSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Brittany Suchland
2022-2023 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Britany Lopez
- MSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Victoria Dunda
2021-2022 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Jody Britton
- MSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Charlotte Hough
2020-2021 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Ellie Wagley
- MSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Tomi Weinbaum
2019-2020 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Janelle Jenkins
- MSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Cara Lipford
2018-2019 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Jessy Perez
- MSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Taylor Trujillo
2017-2018 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Jessy Perez
- MSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Susana Avelar-Recinos
2016-2017 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Not Awarded
- MSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Elise Torres
2015-2016 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Allison Joel and Guadalupe Vargas
- MSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Cait Lull
2014-2015 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Justice Advocate Award – Allison Joel
- MSW Social Justice Advocate Award – JaLisa Williams
Social Work Leadership Award
The Social Work Leadership Award recognizes a student who has made a significant contribution to the Department of Social Work, as well as potentially, to the college, university, and/or local or global communities. Each year, one award will be granted to a BSSW student and one award will be granted to an MSW student.
2023-2024 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Leadership Award – Alexandra Beatovic
- MSW Social Work Leadership Award – Christa Carbajal
2022-2023 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Leadership Award – Shawn Raglin
- MSW Social Work Leadership Award – Jody Britton
2021-2022 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Leadership Award – Vincent Castillo
- MSW Social Work Leadership Award – Julie Pacheco
2020-2021 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Leadership Award – Deysi Bueno de Luna
- MSW Social Work Leadership Award – Jacklyn Thompson
2019-2020 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Leadership Award – Leah Schmidt
- MSW Social Work Leadership Award – Kristen Webb
2018-2019 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Leadership Award – Amy Lyden
- MSW Social Work Leadership Award – Yadira Solis
2017-2018 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Leadership Award – Maria Coopersmith-Buschman
- MSW Social Work Leadership Award – Fabio Fina
2016-2017 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Leadership Award – Olivia Henry-Corell
- MSW Social Work Leadership Award – Vanessa Andriotti
2015-2016 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Leadership Award – Ann Slavkin
- MSW Social Work Leadership Award – Not Awarded
2014-2015 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Leadership Award – Guadalupe Vargas
- MSW Social Work Leadership Award – Julie Harris
Social Work Scholar Award
The Social Work Scholar Award recognizes a student who demonstrates excellence in research and writing. Each year, one award will be granted to a BSSW student and one award will be granted to an MSW student.
2023-2024 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Scholar Award – Lorena Pearson
- MSW Social Work Scholar Award – Alisha Zellner
2022-2023 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Scholar Award – Rebecca Cowell
- MSW Social Work Scholar Award – Karina Muro
2021-2022 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Scholar Award – Tanya Harris
- MSW Social Work Scholar Award – Yuri Shane and Martina McNaboe (co-award for group project)
2020-2021 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Scholar Award – Katie Muller
- MSW Social Work Scholar Award – Kimberlyn Bennett
2019-2020 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Scholar Award – Callie Shelton
- MSW Social Work Scholar Award – Yoana Martinez-Salazar
2018-2019 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Scholar Award – Nicole Labazzetta
- MSW Social Work Scholar Award – Deb Felker
2017-2018 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Scholar Award – Magaly Sanchez De La Cruz
- MSW Social Work Scholar Award – Danielle Glenn
2016-2017 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Scholar Award – Julia Sulivan
- MSW Social Work Scholar Award – Jesse Bailey
2015-2016 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Scholar Award – Tim Maxwell
- MSW Social Work Scholar Award – Kirsten Spielmann and Erica Rutherford
2014-2015 Academic Year
- BSSW Social Work Scholar Award – Jeremy Shearer
- MSW Social Work Scholar Award – Kirsten Spielmann
Faculty of the Year Awards
Each spring, the Department of Social Work recognizes faculty in both the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) Program and the Master of Social Work (MSW) Program as well as advisors for their excellence in teaching and guiding our students. Faculty and advisors are nominated by students in the program and the awards are facilitated by the Phi Alpha Honor Society.
2023-2024 Academic Year
- BSSW Program Faculty of the Year – Barbara Decker
- BSSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Jessica Yang
2022-2023 Academic Year
- BSSW Program Faculty of the Year – Kristin Danhoff and Ann Obermann
- BSSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Jessica Yang
2021-2022 Academic Year
- BSSW Program Faculty of the Year – Julie Clockston
- BSSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – JaLisa Williams
2020-2021 Academic Year
- BSSW Program Faculty of the Year – Barbara Decker
- BSSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Jessica Yang and Katelyn Franke (Blair)
2019-2020 Academic Year
- BSSW Program Faculty of the Year – Jessica Ritter
- BSSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Kelley DeHaven
- BSSW Program Online Faculty of the Year – Barbara Decker
2018-2019 Academic Year
- BSSW Program Faculty of the Year – Ann Obermann
- BSSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Erin Boyce
- BSSW Program Online Faculty of the Year – Ann Obermann
2017-2018 Academic Year
- BSSW Program Faculty of the Year – Barbara Decker
- BSSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Jessica Yang
2016-2017 Academic Year
- BSSW Program Faculty of the Year – Barbara Decker
2015-2016 Academic Year
- BSSW Program Faculty of the Year – Barbara Barclay
2014-2015 Academic Year
- BSSW Program Faculty of the Year – K Scherrer
2023-2024 Academic Year
- MSW Program Faculty of the Year – Ann Sullivan
- MSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Nick Neujahr
2022-2023 Academic Year
- MSW Program Faculty of the Year – Perri Corvino, Devon Cozens, Shawna Farrell, and Louise Haimowitz
- MSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Shari Simmons
2021-2022 Academic Year
- MSW Program Faculty of the Year – Erin Boyce
- MSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Tony Hernandez and Brad Palmertree
2020-2021 Academic Year
- MSW Program Faculty of the Year – Perri Corvino
- MSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Bianca Brandon
2019-2020 Academic Year
- MSW Program Faculty of the Year – Louise Haimowitz
- MSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Jeanne-Marie Ouelette
- MSW Program Online Faculty of the Year – Perri Corvino
2018-2019 Academic Year
- MSW Program Faculty of the Year – Kristen Atkinson
- MSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Cathy Phelps
- MSW Program Online Faculty of the Year – Eileen Starr and Perri Corvino
2017-2018 Academic Year
- MSW Program Faculty of the Year – Louise Haimowitz
- MSW Program Affiliate Faculty of the Year – Michael Teague
2016-2017 Academic Year
- MSW Program Faculty of the Year – Tanya Greathouse
2015-2016 Academic Year
- MSW Program Faculty of the Year – Jessica Retrum
2014-2015 Academic Year
- MSW Program Faculty of the Year – Dawn Matera Bassett
2021-2022 Academic Year
- Advisor of the Year: Claire Alfus
Capstone Project Recognition
The MSW Program Capstone course gives students the opportunity to integrate and apply foundational social work knowledge and skills by proposing and then conducting a meaningful field-based evaluation project.
In Spring 2024, students were invited to submit their Capstone projects to be displayed during the MSW Pinning & Hooding Ceremony. You can view the slideshow to see all the projects submitted.
In Spring 2023, students were invited to submit their Capstone projects to be displayed during the MSW Pinning & Hooding Ceremony. You can view the slideshow to see all the projects submitted.
The following projects were nominated by their classmates for recognition during the ceremony:
- Mariana Gonzalez Ramos, Culturally Responsive and Humble Behavioral Health Service
- Olivia Tangren, Program Evaluation of Parenting Class
- Amy Van Roo, Emphasizing and Celebrating Queer Joy
- Ana Urbina, Improving Perinatal Navigator Services
- Lisa Libhart, Elementary School Training
- Rohini Chandra, A New Way of Living: Residents’ Experiences Transitioning from Homelessness to Housing
- Kaylin Riggs, Social Documentary honoring the legacy of the American Indian Academy of Denver, a unique, culturally significant public school
- Marina Scalise, Testing a Humanistic, Somatic, and Liberation Psychology Therapy Approach
- Liliana I. Turcios, Understanding Barriers to Attending Support Groups for Post-Adoption Services
- Sharon Sena, Needs Assessment: Ageism in the Workplace
In Spring 2022, students were invited to submit their Capstone projects to be displayed during the MSW Pinning & Hooding Ceremony. You can view the slideshow to see all the projects submitted.
In Spring 2021, the criteria for selection of Capstone Project Contest winners was the submission of either the Executive Summary found in the final report assignment or a “TED Talk” style presentation. One winner was selected for each submission type (Best Overall Project for submitted Executive Summaries and Best Overall Presentation for submitted “TED Talk” style presentations) and runner-ups were also selected for both categories.
Best Overall Capstone Project
- Erin Cocchiaro & Melissa Pfiher, Effectiveness of Online-Delivered Group CBT-1 on Insomnia in Primary Care Setting
Best Overall Capstone Presentation
- Angela Carranza, Using Cultural Implications and Anti-Oppressive Practice
Capstone Project Runners-Up
- Katie Davis, Assessing Alumni Outcomes at Local Community School
- Anna Khandrueva, Teletherapy Training for Local Therapy Institute
Capstone Presentation Runners-Up
- Tomi Weinbaum, studied how organizations can support GLBTQAI+ young people in cultivating joy associated with their identities
- Allison Leon, A Restorative Justice Needs Assessment
In Spring 2020, the criteria for selection of Capstone Project Contest winners was the submission of either the Executive Summary found in the final report assignment or a “TED Talk” style presentation. One winner was selected for each submission type (Best Overall Project for submitted Executive Summaries and Best Overall Presentation for submitted “TED Talk” style presentations) and runner-ups were also selected for both categories.
Best Overall Capstone Project
- Alexandra Dardaris conducted an outcomes evaluation for an agency that provides community based behavioral health services offering psychiatry, outpatient therapy, and home-based therapy services to children, adolescents, and families experiencing mental illness. She examined predictors of treatment non completion and her results provided important insights for her agency to improve client access and continuance of needed services.
Best Overall Capstone Presentation
- Kristen Webb presented about her Program Improvement Project focused on nutrition and physical activity and how this might improve mental health and well-being in clients. She performed a needs assessment to assess the need for and the best ways to provide nutrition and physical activity services. This was valuable information to her agency who serves vulnerable populations serves at an integrated care clinic.
Capstone Project Runners-Up
- Jeremy A. Shearer evaluated how well a canine-assisted intervention enhanced parent engagement at an agency focused on child welfare practice, specifically within court-ordered supervised visitations.
- Hannah Patton developed an evidence-based group therapy curriculum for students with significant levels of anxiety to be used in a K-6 public school with an outward bound programming.
- Heather McCormack conducted a needs assessment for an institution to help them understand of their capacity to serve multicultural and nontraditional students’ needs and gather suggestions of improved program delivery opportunities.
- Angela M. Compton conducted a state-wide survey to determine the potential capacity and impact of Colorado social workers on the criminal-justice competency system aimed at addressing the high rates of untreated mental health needs in correctional facilities.
Capstone Presentation Runners-Up
- Jessica Mellars created a Social Documentary that document’s an agency’s response to COVID-19 and how they’ve continued to serve vulnerable populations in need.
- Jordan Verdie presented about her project focused on developing an evidence based curriculum for parents who are adopting a child.
In Spring 2019, there was an award for Best Overall Capstone Project as well as seven additional awards in subcategories.
Best Overall Capstone Project
- Kelsey Brown, conducted an environmental scan of national funding for community based sexual assault services and created a policy advocacy platform for the CO state coalition to use in pushing the state to set aside state dollars for community-based services
Best Program Focused Evaluation
- Becky Lafond, conducted a study of how to be inclusive of Latinos in healthcare settings
Best Practice Focused Evaluation
- Dylan Duran, examined Elementary School Truancy and the effects of Restorative Practice
Best Practice Theory Research Project
- Jessica Heybourne, developed modality tool for hospice workers to use Kubler Ross stages of grief with clients
Best Grant Proposal
- Angiela Hoopes, wrote a grant for a fatherhood education program that was awarded to the agency
Best Agency Resource
- Louise Perry, created a social documentary project that will serve as a PSA to destigmatized use of mental health services
Best Policy Recommendation
- Ashely Nestler, Income Guidelines for Admission at Clayton Early Learning