College News
GCSW Named 2025 Ima Hogg Scholarship Recipient
Congratulations to MSW Student Essie Richardson, who the Hogg Foundation awarded a
2025 Ima Hogg Scholarship for Mental Health.
July 10, 2025
Support for Our GCSW Community Impacted by Recent Flooding
A message of care and support from Dean Dyson for those impacted by the catastrophic
flooding in Central Texas.
July 7, 2025
Celebrating Excellence in Social Work: 2025 Phi Alpha Honor Society Induction Dinner
The Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW) at the University of Houston hosted the
20th Annual Phi Alpha Honor Society Mu Lambda Chapter Honoree Induction Dinner at
the Rockwell Pavilion inside the UH M.D. Anderson Library.
May 9, 2025
2025 GCSW Graduation
This year, we are honored to celebrate and welcome 251 MSW graduates and 6 PhD recipients
into the ranks of our incredible alumni. Commencement speaker, former Congresswoman
Erica Lee Carter, and Spirit of Social Work Honoree, Representative Garnet F. Coleman,
inspired graduates as they prepare to join the more than 6,000 alumni of the Graduate
College of Social Work.
May 7, 2025
A Legacy in the Making: Pursuing Purpose Together
A mother-daughter duo pursues their dreams—hand in hand—as they work toward their
Master of Social Work degrees at the Graduate College of Social Work.
April 17, 2025
UH Graduate College of Social Work Names Dr. Yarneccia D. Dyson as Next Dean
A nationwide search for the dean of the Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW) has
produced a sole finalist. Award-winning scholar, teacher and academic leader Yarneccia
D. Dyson will step into GCSW’s dean’s role on June 1, where she will also hold the
Maconda Brown O’Connor Endowed Dean’s Chair.
April 8, 2025
The Vision The Voice: Introducing Dr. Amber Mollhagen, Assistant Dean of Admissions
and Student Affairs
As the Assistant Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs, over her tenure, Dr. Mollhagen
has cultivated her interest in the intersection of social work and higher education,
which has led to new opportunities for GCSW students.
April 1, 2025
The Vision The Voice: Introducing Ginger Lucas, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
As Associate Dean, Ginger oversees the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Specifically
focusing on the curriculum, which is divided into implicit and explicit sections.
The implicit curriculum includes the general resources and programming provided to
students, while the explicit curriculum focuses on the classroom experience.
March 1, 2025
The Vision The Voice: Introducing Dr. Quenette Walton, Associate Dean of Doctoral
Education
The Graduate College of Social Work (GCSW) is proud to welcome Dr. Quenette Walton
as the new Associate Dean for Doctoral Education. Dr. Walton is stepping into her
role during a pivotal time, bringing with her not only years of expertise as a licensed
clinical social worker but also a newly earned tenure as an Associate Professor. Her
journey to this point is marked by passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment
to the success of her students.
February 1, 2025
Sport Social Work: An Emerging Field for Tenacious Clinicians
The role of social workers in athletics is evolving rapidly, with new programs and
initiatives expanding this specialized practice area. Collegiate athletes face unique
mental health challenges as they balance academics, athletic performance, and social
pressures. Despite the growing need, formal training for social workers to address
the specific needs of student-athletes remains scarce.
January 10, 2025
Quenette Walton Named Humana Endowed Chair in Social Determinants of Health
The University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work proudly announces Quenette
Walton, Ph.D., as the new Humana Endowed Chair in Social Determinants of Health (SDOH).
December 17, 2024
Graduate College of Social Work Strengthens International Ties Through Faculty and
Student Exchange University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work (UH GCSW) and Kaohsiung Medical University Department of Social Work (KMU) strengthened
their partnership with the signing of a new memorandum of understanding (MOU).
November 21, 2024
Dr. Chiara Acquati appointed Associate Dean of Research and Faculty Development
The GCSW looks forward to the many valuable contributions Dr. Acquati will lead in
advancing our faculty's research and enhancing the impact of our scholarly endeavors.
August 27, 2024
Dr. Juan J. Barthelemy Promoted to Associate Professor and Granted Tenure
The Graduate College of Social Work is thrilled to announce that Dr. Juan J. Barthelemy
has been promoted to Associate Professor and granted tenure.
August 27, 2024
Dr. Quenette L. Walton Appointed Associate Dean for Doctoral Education
Quenette L. Walton, LCSW, PhD, has been appointed Associate Dean for Doctoral Education
at the Graduate College of Social Work, effective September 1, 2024.
August 24, 2024
Introducing Interim Dean Cynthia Warrick
We are pleased to announce Dr. Cynthia Warrick as the new Interim Dean of the Graduate
College of Social Work (GCSW).
August 20, 2024
Dr. Susan Robbins named 2024 NASW Social Work Pioneer
Susan P. Robbins, the Cele S. and Samuel D. Keeper Endowed Professor in Social Justice and former Associate Dean for Doctoral Education at the University of Houston Graduate
College of Social Work, has been named an NASW Pioneer by the National Association
of Social Workers Foundation
August 7, 2024
Celebrating Pride, Advocacy, and Community
Celebrating our programs and staff members who dedicate themselves to the ongoing
struggle for liberation, equality, and acceptance.
June 25, 2024
GCSW Student Awarded Ima Hogg Scholarship
MSW Student Nohemy Gonzalez Rojas was awarded a 2024 Ima Hogg Scholarship by The Hogg
Foundation for Mental Health.
July 22, 2024
2024 GCSW Graduation
This year we welcome 251 MSWs and 4 PhDs to the ranks of our incredible alumni. These
graduates will become colleagues with the over 6,000 alums of the Graduate College
of Social Work.
May 8, 2024
GCSW Alumna Ursela Knox Honors Sugar Land 95 Lives & Stories
GCSW alumna Ursela Knox leverages her knowledge gained as a GLOBE student and her
passion for her native Fort Bend County to ensure the elevation and honoring of the
lives and stories of the Sugar Land 95. March 27, 2024
2024 Dr. Chiara Acquati Named 2023 Research Seed Grant Recipient
Dr. Chiara Acquati was awarded a High Priority Area Research Seed Grant to assess
the feasibility and acceptability of eCARE (Ellipsis Caregiver Assessment Enhancement),
a mobile Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled tool for monitoring depression and anxiety
among racial and ethnic minority cancer caregivers
March 26, 2024
Reducing Racial Disparities in Maternal and Perinatal Health Outcomes
Dr. Chiara Acquati was awarded a High Priority Area Research Seed Grant to assess
the feasibility and acceptability of eCARE (Ellipsis Caregiver Assessment Enhancement),
a mobile Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled tool for monitoring depression and anxiety
among racial and ethnic minority cancer caregivers
March 11, 2024
GCSW’s Trauma Education Program Celebrates 13 Years
Celebrating its 13th year, the Trauma Education Program (TEP) continues to be a leader
in trauma education with a local and national impact.
March 6, 2024
GCSW Ph.D. student, Gaby Mohr-Avita, dives into the intersection of race and the cannabis
industry
With the dream to one day own her own drug policy center, Gaby Mohr-Avita, Ph.D.,
hopes to implement healing strategies for racialized communities who have experienced
negative outcomes of drug culture.
February 8, 2024
Commissioner Lesley Briones partners with University of Houston’s GCSW
A cohort of GCSW students will be starting their practicum with the Community Assistance
Department (CAD) through a partnership with the GCSW and Office of Commissioner Lesley
Briones, Precinct 4.
February 2, 2024.
GCSW Student Monica Martinez awarded “Best Overall” poster at NASW 2023
Monica Martinez, an MSW student, received the "Best Overall" poster award at the 2023
NASW Texas Conference for their research on decolonizing psychedelic therapy.
January 4, 2024
GCSW Student Lorenzo Salinas Shares his Firsthand Account of Systemic Inequalities
and Hopes to Empower Underrepersented Communities
Salinas, a dual-degree graduate candidate at the University of Houston's Graduate
School of Social Work (Master of Social Work) and the Hobby School of Public Affairs
(Master of Public Policy), is making a difference the community one step at a time.
December 19, 2023
GCSW Initiatives Aim to Strengthen Curriculum and Affordability
GCSW students are saving anywhere from $1,900 to $12,800 in tuition following The
Office of the Provost and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) approving
the GCSW's proposal to reduce the semester credit hours associated with the college's
MSW program over the summer of 2023.
October 24, 2023
GCSW Student Awarded Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship
Congratulations to MSW student Christian Ohonba on being awarded the NASW Foundation
- Verne LaMarr Lyons Memorial Scholarship.
September 20, 2023
GCSW Student Awarded Ima Hogg Scholarship
Congratulations to MSW Student Frances Fisher who was awarded a 2023 Ima Hogg Scholarship
by The Hogg Foundation for Mental Health.
September 17, 2023
A Fort Bend County Cohort and the Value of Online Learning
A large percentage of the UH Graduate College of Social Work’s students live in Fort Bend County, prompting the GCSW to pilot a hybrid master’s
degree program for a Sugar Land cohort.
August 9, 2023
GCSW Alumna, Erica Solis, transforms spaces in the GCSW with a decolonized lens
GCSW alumna Erica Solis began advocating for a racial/ethnic affinity space within
the college and, since then, has transformed spaces in the GCSW with a decolonized
lens.
June 27, 2023
GCSW Alum, Laura Reid, Enhancing Family Advocacy in Germany
In this role, Reid will provide prevention, education and training services on family
violence for the rapidly growing community of “18,000+ military service members, DoD
contractors, civilian employees, and their families.”
June 22, 2023
Empowering Social Workers through Continuing Education Courses
With the commitment to provide high-quality course instruction on relevant topics
for social workers, the GCSW continuing education courses offer a valuable platform
for professional development.
June 8, 2023
GCSW Doctoral Student Named IMFP Fellow
Alberto Cabrera has been selected as a fellow for the American Psychological Association's Interdisciplinary Minority Fellowship Program (IMFP).
June 1, 2023