SP2 Alumni

SP2 has a long-standing commitment to social justice and addressing difficult societal problems. SP2 students receive the education they need to make a difference in the world. And, our graduates really are making a difference. In their practice and their research, they are changing the delivery of human services, influencing policy, and addressing the challenges within the nonprofit sector. In a world of complex social problems, SP2 graduates are discovering ways to prevent and address many of them.

PhD Alumni

Partial list of our recent graduates' employment:

Post-doc
Columbia University and New York Psychiatric Institute
Philadelphia VA Medical Center
Government and community
Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, Research & Statistics Dept.
Department of Health & Human Services, Office of the Inspector General
Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board, Research
Academic
Bryn Mawr, School of Social Work
Case Western Reserve University,
Mandel School of Applied Sciences
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Kutztown University, Department of Social Work
New York University, School of Social Work
Pusan National University, Department of Social Work
Rutgers, School of Criminal Justice
Rutgers, School of Social Work
Simmons College, School of Social Work
University of California, Berkeley, School of Social Work
University of New England, School of Social Work
University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine
University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work
University of South Florida, School of Social Work
University of Southern California, School of Social Work
University of Tennessee, College of Social Work
University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, School of Nursing

Recent PhD Alumni News & Achievements

Staci Perlman, MSW'01, PhD'10, was selected by the the American Psychological Association Section on Child Maltreatment to receive the Early Career Award in the Field of Child Maltreatment. The award recognizes individuals who have made substantial contributions to the field within eight years of receiving a terminal degree and who have demonstrated the potential to continue such contributions. One award is made each year to a practitioner or researcher whose work has demonstrated an influence on the field of child maltreatment.

2010

Rich Furman, MSW'93, PhD, co-edited Social Work Practice with Latinos: Key Issues and Immerging Themes, published in 2010 by Lyceum Books. Edited by scholars with nearly three decades of combined experience working in Latino communities inside and outside the United States, Social Work Practice with Latinos integrates diverse perspectives to prepare students and practitioners for practice with this diverse and rich community. Click here for more information.

Stephanie Boddie, PhD'02 Senior Research Fellow, Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life	Coming to Penn, I was excited to learn that just before the doors of the Penn School of Social Work opened in 1908, W.E.B. DuBois conducted one of the first extensive neighborhood surveys and published his seminal book, The Philadelphia Negro. I arrived at just the right time to be involved in another groundbreaking project at the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Census of Congregations Project. Working on this project and other research, helped me to launch a fulfilling research career and establish a circle of wonderful colleagues. I continue to maintain my Penn connection as a Non-resident Fellow at the Program for Research on Religion & Urban Civil Society.

Jeffrey Draine, PhD'95 Professor and Chair, Temple University School of Social Work	Like most social workers, I pursued an MSW degree with the idea that I could use it to make a difference regarding issues I cared about. I discovered in my first post-MSW job that this might be possible with research focused on pragmatic answers to the health challenges faced by people in jails and prisons. The Penn social welfare Ph.D. provided me a chance to further hone my skills to do that. I had a world class university as a base to think through my ambitions. I had at my disposal an engaged faculty to connect me to resources to make things happen. Many times I hear colleagues struggle with a choice of whether to be a researcher or an activist. While at Penn, I figured that out: Why must I choose?

Rachel Fusco, PhD'08 Assistant Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work	The PhD program at the Penn School of Social Policy & Practice allowed me to build essential writing, teaching, and analytical skills on the foundation of my previous social work practice. The multidisciplinary nature of the program allowed me to become a well-rounded scholar, and helped confirm my commitment to the field of social work. I received the guidance and support I needed to complete a dissertation I am proud of, and I felt well-prepared and confident during the job interview process. Currently I am an Assistant Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, where I use the knowledge and skills developed at SP2 to help educate and mentor the next generation of social workers.

Susan Kinnevy, PhD'02 Deputy Commissioner, Division of Performance Management and Accountability, DHS	Penn's PhD program in Social Welfare showed me how to use research and data to assess social services and suggest evidence-based improvements. I was able to use those skills during and after the program to help local non-profits evaluate their work and sustain the funds needed to continue their work. I now use those same skills to develop and maintain a Division of Performance Management and Accountability for the Department of Human Services in Philadelphia.