Social Work Alumni Network (SWAN)
The Social Work Alumni Network (SWAN) offers opportunities to stay connected to the Steve Hicks School through networking, continuing education, recognition of alumni of the year, fundraising activities, and social events including the annual tailgate party. SWAN membership is automatic upon graduation and there are no dues or fees for membership.
Themed Talks Series
Student loan debt is a common issue that many professionals face, yet very few resources exist to support them. Navigating student loan repayment as a social worker can be challenging due to financial constraints, sparse information and repayment plans that last up to two decades. We chose to become social workers because we want to help people, not to spend a quarter of our lives trying to get out of debt. This workshop is designed to provide social workers with an understanding of student loan repayment options, practical tools and resources available and tips on how to live a happy life with student loan debt.
The Themed Talks Series are reserved for our alumni. All BSW, MSSW, and PhD Alumni from the UT Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work are welcome to join our monthly Themed Talks Series, held virtually every second Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. CT. The purpose of these interactive and informal discussions are to build a sense of community, exchange knowledge, expertise, and network. The August session of the Social Work Alumni Network (SWAN) Themed Talks Series, held on Wednesday 8/14/24 from 6-7:30 p.m. CT., entitled Don’t Drown in Student Loans with Lifeguard Tiffany Oscar, LICSW, CFSW. Those who register will receive a separate email with the Zoom meeting details. Register Via Google Docs.
Feel free to share the SWAN website link with any and all UT Austin social work alums who may be interested in participating in our Themed Talks Series. Registration for this event will remain open until 8/14/24 at 12 PM. Any questions regarding the Themed Talks Series can be sent to: austinswanboard@gmail.com
Austin chapter
Board
Officers
Members
Become a SWAN Board Member
- Board members are asked to attend at least five out of six board meetings annually.
- Board meetings are held every other month for one and a half hours.
- Some committee work is expected between meetings.
- If the Board commitment is not the right fit for you, please consider volunteering for your favorite SWAN activity.
If you are interested in joining the SWAN Board or volunteering, please contact austinswanboard@gmail.com.
Charles I. Wright Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award
SWAN and the Steve Hicks School of Social Work are honored to recognize our alumni with the Charles I. Wright Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award. If you have an alum you would like to nominate, fill out the nomination form.
Previous Alumni of the Year awardees:
2010-2019: Ramón Gómez, MSSW ’01; Brian Jaklich, MSSW ’88; Shane Whalley, MSSW ’03; Becky Morales, MSSW ’03; Terri Spahr Nelson, MSSW ’88, BSW ’87; Ruth McRoy, PhD ’81; Susan Milam, PhD ’94, MSSW ’83; Wally Wingfield, MSSW ’83; Andrea Colunga Bussey, MSSW ’93, BSW ’82.
2000-2009: L. Sue Hoffman; Dan Adams and Eric Metcalf; Mary Rychlik; Robert Girling, III and Bettie Girling; Amy Chandler; Deborah K. Webb; Diane Hardy-Garcia; Nancy Crowther;Ruth Howard and Joe Jenkins.
1990-1999: Deena Mersky; Kathy T. Rider; Karen Haynes; Elliott Naishtat; Barbara Davis; James Payne; Augustus (Gus) Swain; Ronald Jackson; Charles Wright.
SWAN Student Scholarship
SWAN is proud to award scholarships to deserving social work students.
Previous scholarship winners include: Maryam Jelvehi Moghaddam, Africa Ibarra, Aranda Salazar, James Rowell, Jessi Duran, Jodi Kozelsky, Carly Turner, Samantha Weaver, Marilyn Adams, Sara Goodman, Savannah Cipriano, Angelica Clark, Abigail Oduro, Maya Williams, Samantha Synett, Stephanie Glass, Lindsey Peters, Grace Weiss, and Elizabeth Culbertson.