Jane Addams College of Social Work

Faculty

Associate Professor Henrika McCoy is principal investigator on a three-year national study funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) to increase what we know about young Black males ages 18 to 24, and their violent victimization experiences. Named SURVIVE (Suburban, Urban, Rural Violence: Investigating Victim Experiences), the aim of the project is to better inform policy and practice regarding how the criminal justice system responds to young Black men who have been victimized by violence, by increasing our understanding of those experiences.

Student

A former U.S. Marine, PhD student Christine Barber has a research interest in suicide prevention among high-risk populations. She says she chose Jane Addams because “so many of faculty use their research at a policy level. They are actually advocating for the populations they care about, and I wanted to work with faculty who have that kind of expertise.” Christine currently has a research assistantship with the Jane Addams Center for Social Policy and Research.

Alumnus

Elizabet Bonilla Escobar, MSW ’18, is a Child Protection Specialist with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. She says, “Working in child welfare is taxing and exhausting, but incredibly rewarding. It requires a lot of discipline, heart and strength. I can honestly say that attending Jane Addams was key in helping me get there.” While she was an MSW student, Elizabet participated in the college’s Child Welfare Traineeship Program. “I can honestly say that the traineeship gave me a valuable head start and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity, and I recommend that anyone who’s considering a career in child welfare, apply for the traineeship.”